People access the internet everyday. They use it to catch up on the latest news, to connect with friends, to shop, to check emails and to apply for jobs. There isn’t much you can’t do online and because of this people want access to the internet wherever they go. Even those minutes underground on the train can be hard for some people because they are disconnected with the digital world.
People want to access the internet wherever they go, so why can’t they access it in your cafe? If you had Wi-Fi in your eatery they could keep in touch with other and keep abreast with work while they eat a panini and sip on a latte.
If your first response to getting Wi-Fi in your establishment was a no then think again. People will stay longer, which means they will spend more and you may even attract a bigger and larger crowd. Having internet access in your place doesn’t automatically mean you will get lots of people hoarding your tables and not ordering anything. You have to think about the advantages of having Wi-Fi.
What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is a wireless connection that uses radio waves to allow people to connect to the internet without wires.
Millions of people in the UK connect to the internet using Wi-Fi and it is installed in airports, libraries and other public places.
Why do I need it?
Wi-Fi will create a network in your cafe so that your customers can access the internet. With it, your cafe will be seen as current and professional. Without Wi-Fi access your business could be seen as old-fashioned and out-of-date. Customers are more likely to stay longer so they will spend more money and they will come back.
Not only can it be beneficial to your customers, just think of all the things you can do. You can order stock online, answer customer queries online and you could also research different ways to promote and expand your business in the quiet times.
If you have Wi-Fi be sure to put signs up to let customers know that they can eat, drink and browse in your place.
How much will it cost to set up?
Getting it for your business can be easy and fast and what’s even better is that it won’t cost you too much. What you spend on investing in internet access, you could gain with more people visiting.
Should I charge my customers for using it?
Some places that have Wi-Fi charge people to use it. If you have a password, you will only give it out to those who pay for the service. If you charge you have to think about this in depth. After all, your customers may not appreciate being charged for the internet, especially since they are already spending money with you. You have to determine what you think your customers will appreciate. You don’t want to get Wi-Fi, charge for use, but then no one uses it. See what others are doing in your area. Is the local pub or coffee shop down the road charging? If not, then you will need to do what they are doing, otherwise people may not use your service.
A benefit to offering the internet for free is that, if your service goes down for whatever reason, people are less likely to complain because they are not paying for it.
About the Author
The author is a fan of The Cloud, Europe’s largest independent provider of mobile Wi-Fi broadband. Whether you are an individual or business, The Cloud delivers an open network platform, so multiple partners can leverage a single network and is also the market leader when it comes to providing stunning visual experiences on small-screen Wi-Fi enabled devices.