As the popularity of using computers for everything continues to increase, people without their own computers, business travelers and those on vacation need to use computers more and more. Restaurant and Cafe Management. Community Dashboard Random Article About Us Categories Recent Changes.

Write an Article Request a New Article Answer a Request More Ideas Write down the different amenities and services you want to offer and the audience you wish to cater to. Research the feasibility of your plan. Make a rough estimate of how much money you will require as an initial investment for computer equipment, furniture, software and amenities. You can find prices for equipment, furniture and software on the Internet, in catalogues or in office supply stores.

Do not choose an area where residents have a high income level, as chances are people have their own computers at home. You also do not want to locate near a library where people can use computers for free. Create a comprehensive business plan. Your business plan should include the following elements: Market research is critical, as it describes the nature of the market you are entering into. Identify who your major competitors are, who your target market is, and the preferences and needs of your target market.

This will describe your operations on a day to day basis. This would outline how you will finance your business, what your expected costs are, and five-year projections as to your revenue. Make sure to make your business plan clear and understandable and be able to explain it to anyone, especially those who do not know the technical jargon.

Estimate how much start-up capital you'll need. Using your financial plan, determine your projected annual expenses and gross income. You'll need to have enough capital to cover both your start-up and operating expenses. If you do not, you will need to take out a loan. Operating expenses include licenses, permits, insurance, rent or mortgage, a security system, employees' salaries, computer equipment and software, and professional services such as an accountant or bookkeeper.

You can lease equipment or purchase used equipment to save money on operating costs. Look for investment money. This could be from your own savings, an investment partner, or a bank.

Other entrepreneurs have used a line of credit with their bank, a home equity loan, a credit card or micro lending. Contact the SBA regarding an SBA guaranteed small business loan. You would then apply for the SBA loan at a local bank or credit union. This type of loan guarantees repayment by the SBA if you default. Consider a home equity loan. Find a bank who will give you a home equity loan or home equity line of credit.

You would be using your own home as collateral. Make sure you can pay back this loan or you risk losing your home. You will also have to have a credit score in the high s to take out this type of loan. Research these sites and familiarize yourself with all of the rules and regulations in order to avoid misunderstandings later. You will want a place that is likely to attract stable as well as casual customers.

It could also be advantageous to locate near large hotels where many business travelers stay. Work with a commercial real estate agent. An agent experienced in commercial businesses will be able to show you properties that might meet your needs and are available for lease within your budget.

You could also contact the commercial real estate development company that owns a specific property that interests you. A commercial real estate broker will know about these opportunities as well. Conduct research on your potential business location. Search public records of how the location was used previously and statistical data such as the average income in the area.

Find out if there are competitors and similar ventures nearby. When you find a potential location, observe the area for a few hours and analyze the foot traffic in the neighborhood. Is it near public transportation or highways? Is there enough parking? Does the income level match the type of clientele you hope to attract? Your local librarian or commercial real estate broker can help provide this information.

Once you find a location you will need to purchase insurance policies for general liability and fire insurance. Choose a name for your business. Establish a unique identifier that resonates with customers and sets you apart from other businesses. Search databases such as Hoovers, the Better Business Bureau and the Web to find information about other business names so you don't choose one that is already taken.

You can refer to [1] for tips on how to choose a business name. Register your business name with your state government, if necessary. A DBA Doing Business As is needed whenever you are doing business under a name other than your own.

Registering a DBA name is typically done through your state government or county clerk's office. Apply for a sales tax permit. This can be obtained from your state Department of Taxation and Finance. You will need to keep careful records on which items were sold with the amount paid, and how much in sales tax was collected. Obtain a federal tax ID number. You will need to file a separate tax return for your business and therefore will need to have a federal tax ID number.

You can find the form online at www. Check with your local municipality for the types of permits required.

Get a legal adviser if you don't know how to fill out the forms—better to pay small costs up front and have peace of mind than to have expensive complications down the road. Choose an Internet service provider ISP. You also might want to determine if you need a "static IP" address for Local Area Network LAN services and or programs.

A static IP address is for one customer only. A dynamic IP address will provide a different IP address each time you log on to your computer. Having a dynamic IP address means that you are sharing an IP address with several other customers. Design the layout to fit the space. If possible, use a professional designer.

Purchase all the necessary equipment. Following your business plan, purchase computers, network cable, routers, printers, crimping tools and RJ jacks. If you are including amenities also purchase any food and beverage preparation items such as plates, cups, and microwave ovens.

Important Things To Consider When Starting An Internet Cafe Business

This includes all the construction and renovations, electrical work, network setup, computer and software installation, and a security system. Add any other specialty services such as an area for food and drink preparation. Manage your software effectively. Use free software alternatives such as Linux as an alternative to Microsoft Windows or the Mac OS and the OpenOffice. Consider using live CDs without hard disk drives dumb terminals in the computers to reduce maintenance.

Install a firewall on your router if it does not already have one to protect your network from worms, viruses and other outside attacks.

3 Ways to Make More Money From Your LAN Center or Internet Cafe - Smartlaunch

Find a software solution that will protect your computers from viruses such as virus protection software or live CDs. Consider hours of operation, wages and applicable overtime and anti-discrimination laws. Research state and federal labor laws on the Internet, through your local Small Business Administration or at your local library. Interview and hire employees.

Place ads online at such sites as Craig's List, Indeed and Monster. Choose those who not only are technically savvy and have good references, but also friendly and easy to work with. Make sure to run a background check on each potential employee before hiring. Develop a Facebook page for your business and update it frequently.

Consider having a grand opening with door prizes or discount coupons. Advertise the opening in newspapers, radio stations, Facebook, and on your website. You could also offer local entertainment and food. Listen to and incorporate feedback from your customers. They may want more bandwidth, or may complain about the amount of performance-degrading spyware.

You can contract with an expert to solve problems, if you don't already have a suitable administrator. Evaluate opportunities to expand your business. This could include color printing and copying or hosting computer game competitions.

Get customer feedback as to what services and amenities they would like to have in order to determine the demand in your area. What training should I provide for staff of an internet cafe? There are two important components here: Since the internet side is pretty much set-up-and-go, the majority of your staff's time will be spent making drinks and snacks and serving customers. You should make sure they can run the point of sale system, can follow the directions to make the drinks and pastries you're serving, and can deal with customers.

For the internet side, a basic troubleshooting knowledge will be fine. Make sure the staff know how to turn on and use the computers and who to call if there is something they can't fix. Most somethings will already have some tech skills.

Not Helpful 2 Helpful What are the weaknesses of starting an Internet cafe business? Internet cafes are a dying trend. Wifi is so easily accessible in many places that the demand will continue to wane. Not Helpful 8 Helpful What else should I include in my business to make it big? Answer this question Flag as Why should a specific supplier or provider be chosen? Already answered Not a question Bad question Other. If this question or a similar one is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.

Tips Remember to always go the extra mile for your customers. The customer is your first priority. Your customers' job is to pay and your job is to serve them, making sure they are satisfied and being able to answer any of their questions. Continue to evaluate your performance as a business and keep track of what works and what does not.

Anticipate and adapt to local conditions. Warnings Install some sort of basic network traffic monitors without invading your customers' privacy but at the same time, keeping an eye out for excessive bandwidth use. If copyright infringement is a problem, educate your customers as to what is legal and what is not and consider blocking peer-to-peer ports if it gets out of hand.

Use free software rather than install illegal copies of software on your computers to avoid potential lawsuits. Things You'll Need Business plan. Computers high-quality devices complete with monitors, mouse devices and keyboards. Edit Related wikiHows WH. Restaurant and Cafe Management In other languages: Membuka Warung Internet Discuss Print Email Edit Send fan mail to authors. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times.

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5 tips to start your internet cafe - Half Price Computers

Reader Success Stories Share yours! JM Jennifer mokgothu Mokgothu 6 days ago. VS Vaino Siunze Jul 20, Now I know what to do and not to do. It has given me some ideas on how to run your own business. Thanks a lot, guys. Keep it up with your good and excellent work. Ferdinand Ejaife Apr I now know what it takes to start up a cyber cafe.

Thank you so very much! AS Anand Singh Nov 19, It really helped me. NC Nozipho Clementine Apr 5.

BG Baraka Godlisen Jun 9, I am sure I can do this and make income, although I would like to have a blog. Thank you so much. MB Mahammed Sadik Ib Bevinmarad May 5, SN Sahr Nyuma May 31, KM Knox Mndlhuli Jun 7, A Anonymous Oct 14, KY Kala Yogesh Jul 16, A Anonymous Jul 12, AS Akash Sahani Jul 19, AG Adie Green May IM Itu Mokatse Nov 20, KC Kennedy Calistro Mar 24, TL Tiro Lawrence Oct 27, A Anonymous Jan LF Lubomir Fotev Jun 6, More stories All reader stories Hide reader stories.

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