040308: Internet Cafe Must Haves

Internet Cafe Must Haves

April 3, 2008 · Filed Under General, Musings, Marketing 

When you walk into an internet cafe, what are the things you look for? Is it ambience? Do you ask how fast the computers and the connection are?

These and many more can make or break a cafe. There are several factors to success, most notably would be good customer service. Let’s try to analyze what a cafe player or denizen needs when he steps into those doors in order for him or her to return and hence, be a regular customer.

More after the break

Once you and your partners decide on your cafe’s business plan, it’s time to consider what the customers need and want. Needs are basic - connection, computers, software and hardware while “wants” are the value-added services that give your cafe that extra “oomph” versus competition.

Below are just some of my thoughts:

Needs

• Faster computers - it’s always logical to have the fastest computers in your area (against other cafes). Why? This is one of the single, most important factors to tell your customers that “hey, for the same price, I can give you a better gaming experience”. A decent computer is also one of the first things that new customers notice, so if you’re gonna splurge on the budget, do so with the hardware
• Software / Content - What’s a great PC without great games or applications? Common sense. Showcase games that only your PC specs can brag about. Your PCs can play Crysis on high? Do it. Also, make sure you have the latest and best MMORPGs and software/apps for your customers.
• Connection - lag will spread through your potential customers liek the plague. No one wants to play in a cafe where the connection is slow. Get the fastest line that your budget can afford. You won’t regret it.
• Hardware - make sure that you have webcams, printers, photocopiers, scanners and maybe even a fax machine. The extra income derived from this will help in the long run
• Food - gamers deserve the right nutrition. Check out my article on Gamer Food 101for more details. You don’t want customers to go out for food. Hey! They might not return. A good starter would be instant noodles, coffee, soda and energy drinks and then just make notes on what they want later.

Wants

• Ambience - not to dark not to bright. Go to some cafes and you’ll see what I mean. The ambience must be conducive to work and/or play.
• Privacy - cafe goers want privacy. Make sure that those nearby CANNOT see what they are typing or doing. Also, something like a board between users can protect sensitive information like usernames and passwords.
• Extra service - Do you have a loyalty program? This can be something as simple as a card which you stamp every visit and then they get free hours if they get enough stamps. These little VAS can slowly build your loyal customer base.

Remember, even if you do all the above, I feel that the most important would be good customer service, be helpful, be courteous and ask your staff to smile.

It also helps (a LOT) if your “bantay” is a gamer since he’ll push the games to your users and the users see great value in the tutorials and the advice that they’ll eventually get.

Hope this helps.

http://gmtristan.com/internet-cafe-must-haves/