| The internet cafe business is relatively new and | | | | adequate funding before starting your business. |
| can be traced back to about 14 years following | | | | How much is enough? It depends on your |
| the launch of the internet. Initially, people used to | | | | business model and the services you intend to |
| queue up outside internet cafes to surf the net. | | | | offer. If you're planning to provide exclusive |
| However, diminishing broadband charges have lead | | | | services like gaming, social interaction or a remote |
| to people preferring to access the internet from | | | | office, your capital requirement can run into |
| home. The real challenge of a cyber cafe these | | | | thousands of dollars. There are computers to |
| days is to keep the customer hooked enough to | | | | purchase, broadband connections to book, |
| keep coming back for more. How to accomplish | | | | furniture to be bought and a place to be leased or |
| this is the main question. | | | | acquired outright. Include these things in your |
| Business Models If you're pondering over how to | | | | budget. Also conduct an analysis of monthly |
| start an internet cafe, the most crucial decision | | | | expenses, projected future incomes and profits. |
| you have to make is which business model to | | | | You can raise finance through private investors, |
| adopt. There are numerous choices. The first one | | | | banks and financial institutions that specialize in |
| is the most conservative model wherein you | | | | granting small business loans. |
| provide only internet access. Another option is to | | | | Changing Trends The success of a cyber cafe |
| serve tea, coffee and snacks along with internet | | | | depends on how you keep up with the latest |
| connectivity. You could also add computer repairs | | | | cutting edge technologies. Trends keep changing |
| and maintenance services and even sell | | | | and technology keeps improving. Webcams, video |
| computers and computer parts. Many people buy | | | | conferencing and innovations like VOIP were |
| franchises of prevailing internet cafe businesses. | | | | unheard of before but are widely used these |
| When you buy a franchise you get the advantage | | | | days. So the survival and prosperity of an internet |
| of a time-tested business model and the | | | | cafe depends on how well you adapt to the |
| know-how behind it, but you'll have to pay for | | | | changing trends in computers and related |
| that edge. | | | | technologies. |
| Planning Before starting a cyber cafe, always | | | | Advertising Advertise as much as possible to |
| chalk up a solid business plan. A good business plan | | | | draw attention to your cafe. Distribute your |
| should lay down your business goals, ways to | | | | business cards whenever you get the opportunity. |
| achieve them, the obstacles that you may | | | | You can also sell memberships in terms of |
| encounter, how to surpass them and financial | | | | internet hours. Put in an ad in your local |
| planning and analysis. If at all possible, talk to at | | | | newspaper and on community websites. Get a |
| least three different cafe owners about what you | | | | listing in the yellow pages. |
| plan to do. Try to contact cafe owners from out | | | | Last but not the least; apply for a business license |
| of town, so there won't be any competition | | | | to run any cafe. Evaluate all the risks, conduct |
| conflicts, and, if possible, show these experienced | | | | your market research and adapt to changing |
| owners your business plan. The advice they give | | | | technological trends. If you're serving food, this will |
| could save you thousands of dollars, so don't | | | | mean in inspection by the health department. |
| hesitate to offer them a really nice dinner or lunch | | | | Health department inspectors regularly refuse |
| for their time. | | | | licenses until major repairs or improvements are |
| Start Up Costs Finance is the driving force in any | | | | completed. Your business plan needs to be ready |
| kind of business. So make sure that you acquire | | | | for an unexpected $5,000 expense. |