How To Start Internet Café Company In South Africa
What is an Internet Café?
An Internet café, also known as a cybercafé, is a café that provides Internet access to the public. The fee for using a computer is generally charged as a time-based rate.
How To Start Internet Café Company In South Africa
1. Find the right location.
You know the popular real estate saying: location, location, location. That certainly applies when considering where to open your internet café.
2. Develop a business plan.
Your internet café business plan should have your complete go-to-market strategy—main goals, the market research you’ve done, details about your internet café’s products and services, how you will market your services, and financial projections. It’s important you record all these aspects to know your next steps once you get started.
3. Obtain relevant business licenses and permits.
Given that a cyber café is a brick-and-mortar business, you’ll need to check with your city to see what permits are needed to operate, especially if you plan on offering food and drink. There are licenses specific to this type of business that will be required. In addition, software licenses will be needed for programs you install on computers.
4. Acquire comfortable furniture.
It’s common for internet café patrons to congregate for hours at a time—some may even spend the entire day there. That’s why you must provide comfortable furniture such as gaming chairs and bean bag chairs so customers can lounge for as long as they like. Length of visit is an important aspect given the typical business model of this type of business.
5. Set up computers and other equipment.
Internet café equipment is a defining aspect of the business, so it’s important to choose the right kind. For example, will you only provide computers, or will you also set up printers and other peripherals?
When deciding on computers, you may need to take the middle road between cost and quality, especially if you have a tight budget. Given how frequently they will be used and the number of monthly users the computers will experience a lot of wear and tear. So, you’ll likely be replacing them every few years.
6. Find a reliable internet service provider (ISP).
Now, this is one area you shouldn’t let price play a major factor. Providing internet services is the primary purpose of a cyber café, so it’s critical that you find an ISP with market-leading speeds and is incredibly reliable. The reliability aspect is especially important as patrons value consistent, uninterrupted access.
7. Determine how to price your services.
Most cyber cafés price internet services on a per-hour basis, so that’s what your patrons will expect. That doesn’t mean you have to stick to this typical model, but if you go a different direction, ensure it makes sense to your customers.
8. Build a business website.
As with any modern business, you’ll also need to develop a business website so people can find you online. Be sure to lay out your pricing, location, and a list of internet café services that you offer. Don’t forget to include a menu for your food and drink.
9. Market your internet café.
Even if you find the perfect location and your building is highly visible, foot traffic alone won’t be enough. You need to get the word out about your business using digital and offline methods.
For example, you can use geo-targeting for advertising on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram in your local area. Advertising on Google and other search engines is also a viable option. For offline marketing, you can try setting up a campus booth or event with local colleges, as well as encouraging word-of-mouth referrals from patrons. For instance, you may offer a free snack or coffee to customers that bring a friend.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Is internet café business profitable in South Africa?
An internet café is a profitable business to start in South Africa. With the increasing number of internet users in the country, there is still a significant number of people with no internet access especially in rural areas -only 2% of rural homesteads have access to the internet.
How much does it cost to open up an internet café in South Africa?
Main costs for launching an Internet café comprise computers, monitors and consoles. An average business with 15-20 computers, will require between R30,000 and R50,000. This is a rather small budget for business, which in time will bring you regular income. Payback after 12 months (average).
Is an internet café profitable in South Africa?
If briefly, – yes it is. In fact, besides being profitable, cyber cafes are also a fast-paying type of business. Depending on the region and other factors, the payback of a cyber café can take from 9 to 14 months.
What are equipment for internet café?
You need a software to run the internet user time limit, a number of PCs, a central internet server, a router, network cables, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), the chairs, workstation tables, a suitable place to do the business, legal licensing and of course labor.
Why internet café is a good business?
It deals with internet time that a customer buys and it can be sold per hour or minute and sometimes longer. Internet café is the most popular in the world of business people, travelers and tourists, but it also finds good and frequent customers in teenagers and adults who spend a lot of time playing computer games.
What is a internet café business?
Put simply, an internet café (the most common term used, but can also be referred to as a cyber café) is a place of business that provides internet access along with food and drink. It is not the same thing as a coffee shop with Wi-Fi as it provides computers and secure internet access.
What is the mission of internet café in South Africa?
To deliver excellent quality services, operate in a responsible manner being up-to-date with the upgrading Information Technology, and provide fast internet access in a homelike environment for a highly reliable and consistently satisfying customer experience.
What is gaming café?
gaming café. a small business resembling an Internet café but with an emphasis on computer games. Games are often networked and visitors can play against each other.
How do gaming cafes work?
With an internet café, the patrons are buying internet “time” instead. They use the time to redeem points and “cash out” at the end of their session. Visitors can come in, buy internet time and log into the sweepstakes games that are similar to video games.
How much do gaming cafes charge per hour in South Africa?
The Regular PC’s are R4.00/hour and the Premium are R5.00 an hour. The more time that is purchased makes the rate go down per every twenty dollars.