Putting Up Your Own Internet Cafe

Planning to put up your own internet cafe? Here's a few practical tips.

1. Location - Do you have your market? As in any business, you should need to know if you'll have the clients to support you. You should know if there's a market for your business. Otherwise, you'll end up with flies. Perfect locations for an internet cafe are near schools, malls, palengke - i.e., places where people always converge.

2. Capital - Do you have the money? As this is a technical business, you will have to purchase hardware and equipment. Lucky you, prices of computers nowadays are going down. An air conditioning unit to protect your investments, and will also make your customers come back, as well. Networking accessories, tables, a printer and scanner. DON'T FORGET: Buy ORIGINAL Softwares, including games. You don't want to be included in some raids, do you? And don't forget also your operational expenses: electricity, consumables (ink, bond paper) etc...

3. Environment - Do you have a competitor? Always offer competitive services, or as they say, If you can't beat them, join them. Know how the competitor operates, then manupilate your own pricing schemes or extra services to be competitive.

4. Broadband - Do you have the connection? Some remote places have no access to broadband. Fortunately there are some that offer wireless connections, so even without a phone line you can have an Internet connection. Feel free to ask some broadband providers regarding the availability of service and their packaging. Take note of the bandwidth and price. The higher the bandwidth, the faster the connection, also the higher the monthly bill. Feel free to check those broadband companies that can offer their service in the area of your planned business.

5. Manpower - Do you have the people to run your business? A must for every Internet Cafe business is a dedicated technician. You may never know when a computer will break-down, or when your network will malfunction, and that will translate to a decrease in income. It is most advisable that the owner has a know-how of computers. Most technicians demand a high fee, so it can be a big savings if you know how to repair computers. A 24-hour-open Internet cafe will require a shifting staff.

These are simple, practical tips. They may be more, but these will give you the idea if an Internet Cafe will be a good business for you. If you can accomplish all the above tips, chances are you can put up your own Internet cafe and run it smoothly.