April 07, 2020, Kathmandu, Nepal
The service industry is blessed with services like Online Recharge. This service is in high demand these days, but the scenario was completely different a few years ago. The online recharge business in Nepal has made significant growth in the past couple of years.
Consumers used to recharge their cell phones, landline, or ADSL through the use of a recharge card. But, even Telco, like Nepal Telecom and Ncell, have come up with better recharge services online.
In this feature, we are going to spell out how one can start building their online recharge portal in Nepal. We will tell you what do you need and what things you need to consider.
Starting Online Recharge Business in Nepal
Let’s go through a series of steps for setting up a B2C recharge portal in Nepal:
- Firstly, you will need a clear vision of what services you want to offer to your customers. Make sure you have it all figured out before you start the next step.
- Once you have a clear goal up in your mind, make sure to give your project a name. Although some might prefer to do it further in the step, we recommend you do it at the beginning phase. You will need to scout for possible domain names for the project and get hosting for it.
- Next, you have to arrange API for recharge services from all the network operators, utility, broadband, landline, and other service providers. Organizing and integrating APIs will be costly.
- You will have to start the registration process quickly and get the necessary approval from the concerned departments/bodies/ministries. So, get the paper works ready!
- After you have arranged the APIs, you may want to hire an IT company or a team of software developers. After all, you will need a software or application for your online recharge business. Make sure to be clear of the pricing and commissions as the developers will need to integrate the APIs into your application.
- You will also need to develop a mobile app (if you want) and integrate it with your web portal and wallet. Recharging is so much easier and quicker with apps that you will increase your chances of landing more customers.
We all know that it may seem simple, but it takes patience, huge effort, and investment. That is why you need to plan well. Therefore, you will need a reliable team that knows what they are doing.
Pro tip: You can try boosting up revenues by associating with coupons offering companies and earning through advertisements.
Online Recharge Services To Consider
When planning to build an online recharge application, the most important things you require or say, expected of you are:
- Recharge options for Network operators
People in Nepal use services of Telco, such as Nepal Telecom, Ncell, and Smart cell. Your system needs to make sure there are recharge options for all network operators. This is the only way to make sure everyone uses your portal. The mobile SIMs can be either postpaid or prepaid. So make sure to include mobile top-ups for both services as well.
- Utility Bills
Nowadays, who even cares to wait in a queue. Online recharge is probably one of those services which both lazy and busy people would vote for. So, make sure your portal integrates the option to pay electricity bills and water bills quickly.
- DTH service
DTH services are no different when it comes to being unable to pay bills due to busy work schedules. This is why you will need to consider DTH service payment as well.
- Landline Bills
Remember waiting in a long queue to pay your landline bills? Well, gone are those days, and all thanks to online recharge portals like the one you are thinking of building.
- Internet Bills
Everyone is online these days, and we owe it to broadband/internet services. NT ADSL, Worldlink, Vianet, etc. provide internet and TV service to the consumers in Nepal. To ensure that timely bill payment, your system should facilitate the online payment of internet services.
Also Read: How Can I Recharge My NTC Number?
Online Recharge Service Providers in Nepal
There are plenty of service providers that provide online recharge in Nepal. If you happen to subscribe to online banking or mobile banking, they are likely to provide you with utility payment services.
Using this service, you can top-up your mobile SIM and pay for utility bills directly from your bank account.
If you are looking for other means of digital payment in Nepal, to name a few:
- IME Pay
- e-Sewa
- Khalti
- nPay
- iPay
These are the top wallets, and there are a lot more. They are a lot easier to use and have user-friendly interfaces.
All you need is to create an account, submit KYC form, and load funds to use these services.
Final Thoughts
The first step is always planning, and for a business like this, you may need to prepare for a few weeks or months. The online recharge business has made the lives of people more convenient.
The service industry in Nepal has seen growth, and we owe it to innovations like these. The online recharge industry is blooming in Nepal.
Come to believe it, do we have too many cooks in the kitchen?
Let us know what you think!
