It was more than a decade ago that Clive Humby famously said that ‘Data is the new oil’. We see that the statement fits true today more than ever. With technology evolving to newer heights, we see more and more people getting addicted to the internet. More than just an addiction, the internet has become a need for everyone.
In such a time, if you are planning to open an internet café, that could be a very good business plan. Today, it is one of the easiest businesses to start, and it is further aided by so many front desk hotel software that are available for use. Today’s let us discuss how you can open an internet café step by step. Here we go!
Step 1: Research and Feasibility of the Plan
The chances of having a successful business with an internet café are dependent on several factors. You cannot expect to do brisk business with an internet café in a purely residential area. It is because most of the homes already have internet lines and hence, they will seldom require a visit to an internet store.
Thus, it is always advised to do a study of the locality where you plan to open your business. Talk to the businesses and other internet stores already present in the locality and understand if it is a good idea to have your business there. Simultaneously, also understand the competition you will have in the locality and the presence of other players.
While doing this, your aim should be to identify the demand and estimate the amount of business you can generate. With this, you will be able to make a better decision.
Step 2: Estimate the Cost and Business Plan
Now that you have done your research on the locality and the scope of business, it is time to plan what goes into the business. In accordance with the findings you made during your research as a part of step 1, it is time to estimate the investment.
The investment includes the cost of the land or the shop, infrastructure, computer systems, commercial internet lines, marketing, maintenance, miscellaneous, bills, etc. Based on this, you would now want to make a business plan and have a backup. A business plan would include the finances, operations planning, marketing, etc.
Step 3: Legal Approvals
While you are working on your business plan, it is equally important to get all the legal approvals, as well. The type of approvals required will include the ones from your local city body, and in some cases, competition bodies and environmental bodies, as well. Again, the type of approvals required to open an internet café differ from place to place. So, you should get to know the ones that are applicable in your region.
Apart from that, you must work with the local authorities to also apply for the registration of your business and get it before you start your venture. Once you have that, you will also need to apply for a sales tax permit.
Step 4: Hardware and Infrastructure
Now that you have got all the business plans ready and your business registered with the required authorities, it’s time for procurement. Here, you will need to identify the best vendors for all the infrastructure you will need.
The infrastructure requirements will include computer systems, internet service providers, furniture and layout design. Especially while selecting the internet service provider, you should be very careful, as that is the lifeline of your business. So, we suggest you identify the best service provider in your region and get it configured.
Apart from the internet connection, the other most important thing is the computer system. Since that will be the most important device used by your customers in your business. So be wise while choosing the computer systems for your venture.
Step 5: Management Software
Apart from that, you will also need a management software for running your internet café. A good front desk hotel software, which can also be used for managing hotels, will help you efficiently manage all the day-to-day activities of your internet café.
Using the software, you will be able to manage the financial aspects, have user management in terms of their session timing, access and restriction to their websites, etc. So, it is very important to choose the right management software for your internet café.
Summing It Up
In today’s date, owning an internet café is one of the best business ideas that can yield you some good amount of revenues. However, before you go ahead and set up your business, you must perform thorough research about the capital needed and also the feasibility of the plan.
You will need to identify the right place to set up the business and make sure that it has a good scope in the long run. Apart from that, you will have to estimate the costs and have a business plan in place, so that you have everything in place when you are ready to go.
Post that, you will need to get all the regulatory approvals and the sales tax approvals, as well. Once you have dealt with all the legalities, the next step is to procure all the necessary infrastructure and hardware, including the furniture and computer systems.
If you are ready with all these things, the management software would be the most critical component that you will need to manage the day-to-day operations of your business and ensure smooth functioning of your venture.
