Internet Cafe Ideas

Rob,
Another thing a hairdresser friend of mine mentioned to me who was starting up another salon business is that he had a deal posting adds at Back Packer joints in Melbourne for back packers to get a free haircut at his salon. It cost him nothing to put the adds up. He was doing it to train his young staff. Back Packers (myself included!) are far more open to anything free while travelling as time is not a factor, but making your travel buck last is. This may not be in line with your structure but seeing how Back Packers rely now so much on internet Cafes, you may want to consider this approach (and with other needs for Back Packers) as a win-win outcome for your business?
Cheers,
Gatsby.

Rob,

Just a few more idea’s in regards to generating business after hours in the LAN environment. Why not host competitions to find the best of the best and the best teams to challenge some other interstate / international teams. Could make a great HQ for some international LAN Party’s

Also as a bit of a gamer myself I know there are two camps in this area PC based gamers and console based gamers. Why not look into the feasibility of hooking up some x-box’s or PS2s to your monitors and hosting your own multiplayer tournaments? By rotating different systems (if feasible) could open up a greater customer base.

If I think of a WOW factor (your original question) I’ll let you know

Don’t forget to add the various language packs available from Microsoft. Many people need to read and write in other languages – Japanese, chinese etc and cannot do this on a computer without the packs installed.

Terryw
Discover Home Loans
North Sydney
[email protected]

I’m sure it would be easy to hook you up. Maybe enquire about some LAN’S and who organises them.

Also if people are going to hiring out the place for LAN’s and the such, a tip might be for a slight reduction in cost they can supply their own keyboard/mouse. Most serious gamers will have a particular combo they like to work with and if they loose they are less likely to bash the keyboard in frustration.

I’m sure all those broken keyboards add up.

Also regarding the website hosting side I don’t know $ wise but even hiring out dedicated servers for people to host their own LAN on from remote locations? could be a unique way of generating more income using minimal space.

I’ll think of some more ideas….when do I get my membership card? [biggrin]

I assume that you are looking to add to your business plan a few more ideas.

After reading the posts so far it strikes me that 1. you are short on equipment.
Yes the printer is going to be a major cost and the supplier will be aware of this so perhaps you can sit down with them and negotiate a win win for both parties or find another, competition is a bitch don’t be a Victim use it to your advantage.

2. Shop fitout is already underway or just about to begin.
I also noticed that you mentioned that the basement needs some work, perhaps again you could negotiate with a tradie/s and help promote their business for a sizable discount or partner up with a game shop and lease the area to them and add their services to your business for mutual benefit.

3. It’s one thing to ask this fantastic group what they want in your internet cafe but it’s another issue all together when you find out what the locals in your area actualy want.
By all means gather info anyway resonably possible.
Spend an entire day (your expected opening hours (remember the market changes through the day)) out in front of the cafe and ask everyone who passes what they want from you.

4. Does anyone actualy want other languages and if so which ones.
Don’t forget the grey group (no offence intended (this group is my bread and butter)) but they are internet savy these days and they don’t like background noise and eye sight problems will need to be addessed and there will probably be a greater need for help.

5. Don’t get stuck with in your business remember businesses change over time and need to adapt often rather quickly so eyes and minds open and follow the scout motto “BE prepared”.

6. Look for business expansion always.
Yes move upstairs when the opportunity presents it’s self or into the basement.
And yes consider providing games, competitions, books, food and drinks etc.
Don’t forget that there are many other products and services out there.
Don’t forget that there are many home businesses out there with services that need an outlet so perhaps you can partner up with them.
Adding a product or service with your business adds value to your business even if it’s not your own product or service, there is two kinds of profit here to be had.

Marketing
“Because its purpose is to create a customer, the business has two basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs.” — Peter Drucker

“Exposure plus 95 cents might buy you a decent cup of coffee. The key is to ‘position’ yourself in your market as the expert, the resource, the only person your prospect would ever even THINK of doing business with, or referring to others.” — Bob Burg

“Do your own market research; ask your last ten customers exactly why they bought from you.” — Brian Tracy

“Ninety percent of the success of any product or service is its promotion and marketing.” — Mark Victor Hansen

Email [email protected].
Fax 0246482374.
Mobile 0425201055.
For all your CLEANING and GARDENING work.

Adding on the competition idea,
you could get customers to spend a set amount on internet usage (maybe $30 – $50) by a certain date, to enter a competition for something like a movie pass or even a dinner for two.. it doesn’t have to stop there; dvd rental vouchers, gift cards, cologne, mobile credit etc etc..
the more coveted the better!

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