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Starting an Internet Cafe Business in South Africa – Business Plan (PDF, Word & Excel)

Posted by BizBolts | All Articles , Business Ideas , Business Plans

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. An internet café especially one that offers other services such as gaming, printing and utility payments is a lucrative business that can provide you with good profits. This article will outline how to start an internet café business in South Africa the internet cafe business plan – PDF, Word and Excel.

There are some essential things you need to consider before you venture into such a business venture. You have to decide on the size of your internet cafe; the location of your shop, the kinds of products and services you will sell, and your target market. These choices will be affected by the amount of capital you have, and the market you are targeting. You should carry out a feasibility study, market research and have a good internet café business plan before you venture into this type of business.

MARKET RESEARCH

Market research is a critical part of every business. The more you know about your market and its needs, the easier it will be for you to develop your business strategy and find the right customers. When conducting market research for an Internet cafe business, check out your competition: You need to know who else is in your market so that you can decide what makes your business different from theirs. Consider visiting your local internet cafes and seeing what their offerings are, as well as how they differ from yours. Find out whether or not they offer something that you don’t already have in place, and take note of their weaknesses. You must check out the size of your market in order to understand just how large your industry is before launching your internet cafe business. After conducting a market assessment, you will be in a much better position to segment your ideal market. You can segment your customers based on age, hobbies, and buying habits. This way, you can find out if your services are suitable for them.

INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS MODEL

An Internet café, also known as a “cybercafé,” provides the use of computers with high bandwidth Internet access for a set price. The use of these computers is generally charged by the minute or part of an hour. The internet cafe business model is a simple one that you can implement. You must have a physical location in order to run your internet café business. You will also need some equipment and software, as well as staff to run the business and serve customers. A typical day at an internet cafe involves opening up for business during the morning or afternoon hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but that will depend on your target market and location. You can hire staff to greet customers and take their orders for the duration of their online stay (usually 30 minutes). These staff members can also monitor the computer use of minors under 18 years old. Since internet services have become readily available in most parts of South Africa, you can supplement your services by offering gaming services, printing, and utility payments too. You can also offer coffee, tea, and some snacks to attract clients to your shop.

LOCATION & PREMISES

The location of your business is an important decision to make before you start an internet cafe. It’s important that you locate your internet cafe close to your target market. Consider the amount of road traffic, find an easily accessible location where people can stop and quickly get service. There are several possible locations, including shopping centres, malls and the city centres. The location you plan for your internet café has an effect on your marketing strategy. Opening an internet café close to places that typically have potential for traffic such as near schools could be ideal depending on your target market. It is also important to be strategic about your neighbouring businesses because you are more than likely to feed into each other instead of competing. Your internet cafe should be large enough to accomodate the number of computers you intend to have, and space for other services you intend to offer. Customers should be able to freely move within the internet cafe. Your internet cafe business plan should cater for the costs of purchasing or leasing the premises.

EQUIPMENT FOR INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS

You need various equipment for your internet cafe business. The equipment you need will depend on the size of your internet café and the kinds of products and services you will offer. The basic equipment required for an internet café are computers and Wi-Fi routers which provide high-speed internet connection. The other equipment will be determined by the extra products and services you will offer at your internet café. For example you may need printers, laminating machines, binding machines if you intend on offering those services. You will also need a refrigerator if you plan on selling refreshments. Your internet cafe business plan should cater for the costs of purchasing the relevant equipment.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The products and services you will offer will depend on your target niche. Most internet café offer internet surfing, gaming, printing & related services, computer accessories, refreshments, and you can also purchase or pay your utility bills in other internet cafés. It is best to offer differentiated services to your customers in order to attract more customers and to increase cashflow. It may be a good idea to sell beverages and snacks to complement your internet products and services. Another essential factor in running an internet café is is selecting the right Internet service provider (ISP). Your internet service provider should offer you reliable and high speed connection that will allow you to offer quality internet services that way you can attract and retain customers. The are many internet service providers you can use for an internet cafe like Vodacom Business Internet,  Telkom Business Internet and many other fibre companies. Your internet cafe business plan should clearly outline the different products and services you will offer.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

It is critical to compare your internet cafe business to other similar businesses when setting one up and running one. In this way, you can determine what the strengths and weaknesses of your competition are and how they compare to yours. As part of this process, you should consider the following questions. What makes your internet cafe better? Why would people come to your shop instead of going somewhere else? How does your internet cafe differ from the other competitors’ offerings? Look out for any opportunities for you to improve upon the services you offer your customers? With a competitive analysis, you can discover where your internet cafe business can do well, where you need to improve, and which trends you need to get ahead of. You should conduct a competitive analysis on a regular basis, not just when you first open your internet cafe business. Your competitive analysis should include your competitors’ features, market share, pricing, marketing, differentiators, strengths, weaknesses, geography, culture, and customer reviews. Your cybercafé chases similar  customers as its competitors. Since you offer comparable products or services to each other, you need to understand why you win some clients but lose others, and a competitive analysis helps you do that.

STAFF & MANAGEMENT

As a customer-centric business, its important that you hire employees that are friendly and efficient. Your employees should be passionate about serving and assisting clients. If you want to hit the ground running it is better to hire a team of people who have experience in running an internet café. Your staff members should be computer literate and able to teach and assist your customers. Inexperienced staff members need to get extensive training before they can be given intricate tasks. There are risks associated with running an internet café. It is important that your staff are always on the lookout for scammers and cybercriminals who prey on unsuspecting customers and your business. Thus, the issue of security cannot be underestimated when it comes to running an internet café.  Some of the required staff for an internet café include, the café assistant, security and administration to name a few.  Your internet cafe business plan should cater for the salaries of your staff.

Some of the day-to-day operation of this business involves:

• Help customers with the use of computers and applications.
• Respond to customers who encounter error messages from accessing sites, emailing, or downloading content.
• Monitor use of computers to ensure compliance with café policies and applicable laws and regulations.
• Time customers of the number of minutes or hours they will use the computer, internet and playing online games.
• Serving refreshments

MARKETING AND SALES PLAN

A marketing and sales plan is a document that contains all the information you will need to set up and run your internet cafe business. Your plan should contain research on how well your target market will respond to your internet cafe products and services, plus it should outline the steps you must take in order to reach your customers. Your marketing plan will also include a detailed sales strategy that describes how you will make money from the sale of your cybercafé services. You should clearly outline how you will set up your internet café and the kind of complimentary services you will offer. Some of the strategies you can include in your sales and marketing plan include, offering discounts for selling more login tickets and buzz marketing, where you can focus on creating excitement among consumers about a particular game or service at your cafe. Consider event marketing, which can be both online and offline, in order to promote your internet cafe. This can be a gaming night where regulars and new clients can be invited to play games for a price. That can be a great way to promote your business. You must not neglect word-of-mouth marketing when creating your sales and marketing strategy. Word of mouth marketing is still a great way to raise awareness about your internet business.

Although there is a huge gap between internet access in urban and rural areas, South Africa has one of the fastest growing internet penetration in Africa. The demand for internet services has been growing at a fast rate, with a lot of business being conducted online. Even though some people in urban areas have access to internet connection at home, they still make use of internet café for other services such as printing and laminating. Even in the urban areas a lot of people access internet from internet cafes as not everyone has internet at home. Business peoples, students, freelancers are big users of internet in internet cafes. Another market that has been growing all over the world including in South Africa is online gaming.  However, not everyone in urban areas has the proper equipment for gaming. In rural areas few people have access to the internet so there is a ready market for the traditional services of browsing and emailing. Thus, each market, has unique needs that can be met by an internet café. Ensure that you conduct a feasibility study for your business before you set it up in your chosen location. A proper marketing strategy should be included in your internet cafe business plan.

KEYS TO PROFITABILITY

To start a successful internet business, consider opening one in a neighborhood with a middle- to low-income population. Opening up an internet café in a high-income neighborhood is not ideal. A lot of people from high-income neighborhoods already have WI-FI and computers, and the majority of them also have multipurpose printers and gaming devices. The only time you’ll get business is when the ink on their printers runs out. Many new entrepreneurs appear to make this error. Also, leasing a space in a high-income neighborhood can be very costly. Your business will run at a loss and ultimately fail. Consider locating your cafe in townships or middle- to low-income neighborhoods to ensure a steady flow of customers. You should take your internet café to people who actually need it. The city center of any town is not a bad place to have your shop, especially in small towns that are surrounded by rural areas where you will likely get a lot of clients, especially if you don’t have a lot of competition.

Whether you are a young entrepreneur, a professional seeking to start your own business or someone who needs a retirement plan, investing in an internet café is something worth considering. One thing that can set you apart before investing in any venture is developing a business plan. A well thought out internet cafe business plan will help you in both the short term and long term for your investment. There are various risks associated with running an internet café, like any other venture, your internet business plan should clearly outline these risks involved and ways to minimise them.

PRE-WRITTEN INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL): COMPREHENSIVE VERSION, SHORT FUNDING/BANK LOAN VERSION AND AUTOMATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For an in-depth analysis of the internet cafe business in South Africa, purchase our internet cafe business plan. We decided to introduce the business plans after noting that many South Africans were venturing into the internet cafe business without a full understanding of the industry, market, how to run the business, the risks involved, profitability of the business and the costs involved, leading to a high failure rate of their businesses.

Our business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run an internet cafe business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as the internet cafe business plan will lay out all the costs involved in setting up and running the business. The business plan is designed specifically for the South African market.

USES OF THE INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The internet cafe business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your internet cafe business
• As an internet cafe project proposal
• Assessing profitability of the internet cafe business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

CONTENTS OF THE INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The business plan includes, but not limited to:

• Market Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• 5 Year Automated Financial Statements [ Income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, monthly cash flow projections (3 years monthly cash flow projections, the remaining two years annually),break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortisation]
• Marketing Strategy
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some South Africans in the internet cafe business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your internet cafe business in South Africa

The Internet Cafe Business Plan package consist of 4 files

• Internet Cafe Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive – 82 pages)
• Internet Cafe Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive – 82 pages)
• Internet Cafe Business Plan Funding Version – Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan – 43 pages)
• Internet Cafe Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel file)

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GET THE INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL) - R500 Only.

We decided to make the business plan affordable to anyone who would want to start the business, and the price for the pre-written business plan is only 500 Rand.

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The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

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Starting an Internet Cafe Business Plan (PDF)

We are living in a digital age where access to the internet and social media are no longer a luxury. That is why the internet café business is a lucrative business to start today. An internet café is a shop designed to primarily provide fast, reliable, and safe internet access to customers and other related services like printing. Internet cafes can also be called cyber cafes. The importance of internet cafes is apparent. There are many people who do not have what it takes to set up internet connectivity at their homes. Such people get to participate in the digital economy via the use of internet café services.

Operating an internet cafe business is a lucrative and profitable venture. The internet cafe has become the go-to place for people who wish to do their surfing and administrative work without having to go home. For some corporate types, it is a lunchtime pastime where they can surf without facing the scrutiny of their employers. The internet cafe offers a very good gateway for people with limited capital and an ambition to do business in technology. All the positive things about an internet cafe business do not diminish its demands and specifications. You have to be on point in terms of your customer care. Good understanding of the business is a must, otherwise you will be swallowed up by the competition. This article will outline how to start the internet cafe business, and the internet cafe business plan – PDF, Word & Excel.

Market Research

Conducting a market research for your internet café business is imperative. You will get to study your intended target market to see if there is need for an internet café. You will have to check to see if there are any already existing internet cafes. If there are, these will be invaluable case studies from which to draw essential insights. Taking time to visit them and use their services will give you a feel of the market. Your market research can also involve looking through current statistics and trends regarding internet access. You have to take this market research seriously because if you do not, you might regret later.

Location And Premises

You should select locations that are well within the vicinity of your potential clients. For example, you may locate your internet cafe business in shopping centers & malls,  near offices, schools, universities and airports. This is where the clientele is likely to come from so you are in the best position to gain access to them. Test the internet quality because nobody is going to pay for anything less than full-time high speed services. Good internet is both fast and reliable. It is never a good idea to congregate with other internet cafes. That essentially means that you are inviting competitors to take away your potential customers. You need a good power source and a backup generator. In the age of green technology, try to make use of energy savings when operating your internet cafe business. For example, the use of solar power in hot climates is ideal.

The internet cafe space can be leased or bought. The advantage of leasing is that you are not saddled with a mortgage. If you want to move your internet cafe business for any reason, it is merely a case of giving notice at the end of the month. Moreover, not having a mortgage reduces your initial capital requirements. The money that would have been spent on purchasing an office space could be distributed between leasing and other essential business expenses. Meanwhile the companies that let out office space tend to provide a number of important peripheral services. These include a post office box, administrative support, toilets and a cafeteria. That means that you can give your customers a very rich experience and convenience without spending too much money on it. The costs of purchasing or leasing the premises should be included in the internet cafe business plan.

Permits/Licenses, Insurance & Business Bank Account

Company registration and relevant licenses.

To be a recognized internet café business you must register it first. This refers to your basic business or company registration. Then you are usually obligated to get an operating license for your internet café shop. Maybe you could be renting it, buying it, or building it; an operating license will be needed. Depending on the nature of your internet café services, there might software licenses you must get. It is common practice for people to use bootlegged software. However, it would be wise to use only properly licensed software in your internet café.

Insurance & Business Bank Account

The internet café business is usually characterized by costly infrastructure, furniture, and gadgets. The value of these items necessitates the importance of getting insurance cover. There are many possible incidents that can occur so getting insured is prudent. Your internet café operations must have their own business bank account. This makes financial management easier. Plus you protect yourself from being personally liable if things go south. That separation protects your personal finances and assets.

Equipment, Products & Services

You need computers and internet routers for your internet cafe business. An internet cafe can have anywhere between two and an large number of computers. The number of computers to buy depend on the size of the premises, your budget, and your target market. You might consider including some peripheral items such as a scanner, printer, photocopier, binder and facsimile. These are services that might be of benefit to the people that come to your internet cafe. In effect you are enriching their experiences at your establishment without requiring them to travel somewhere else. The primary service for an internet cafe is internet surfing & browsing. The other services that you can offer in your internet cafe include printing, photocopying, binding, typing, lamination, selling computer accessories, snacks and beverages. If you are selling drinks & refreshments that means you will require a refrigerator. It’s also wise to offer gaming in your internet cafe as that attracts a lot of young customers. Your internet should be fast and reliable – so take your time when selecting an internet service provider. This is key to the success of an internet cafe business.  The cyber cafe business plan should include the costs of purchasing the equipment that you require.

Depending on the level of activity, you may want to have an electronic ticketing and point of sale system. This ensures that there are no long queues for service with people complaining that they have been overlooked. Some cyber cafes even use a bar-code scanner. This way, they can audit every single product that is sold. The normal unit of measurement for internet services is the amount of time that the user spends. You can use other methods such as a token system. Do not forget to install some air-conditioning. The equipment is bound to heat up considerably in such a confined space, with such heavy-duty usage. Inevitably you may have to hire a technician to configure and maintain the different computers. It is likely that there will be issues from time to time which require professional attention.

Business Model

Charging customers for internet access.

The internet café business model is simple straightforward. Customers come to pay to access the internet. This is often based on charges per 30 minutes or an hour. There can be discounted rates when someone pays for a substantial number of hours. There is also an approach where a client opens up an account which they can load up with credit. That way they can come in several times to access the internet. Once the credit is used up they can load more and so forth. Another different approach is that a client pays for data instead of a time slot. This means they get to purchase a certain amount of data e.g. 15 gigabytes. The data can have an expiration time or date or it can be carried over to the next time they log in. This shows you that there are many ways to use in revenue generation pertaining to internet access.

Adding On Monetizable Related Products Or Services

When running an internet café you can also make lots more money from other products or services. For instance, you can include computer repairs and sale of parts or accessories. You can also venture into mobile device and accessory sales and repairs. You can include a gaming arcade for all sorts of games. You can include vending machines or general sales of refreshments. You could provide on-demand services such as typing, printing, and photocopying, amongst others. Another revenue generator can be providing a co-working space. Depending on the size of your location you can rent work space, work desks, or rooms. These are just some of the many ways to make money running an internet café. It is unwise to solely just focus on providing internet access services.

Rules and Regulations For Internet Cafe Business

You will need to set out the terms of service which are publicly available. For example, some internet cafes do not allow the consumption of food and drinks. Others place restrictions on the content that can be searched, processed and downloaded. The state will also take an interest in internet activity and you may therefore be asked to maintain records. These rules may temporarily inconvenience some of your customers. However, they are essential in order to ensure that the entire process runs smoothly and that you do not get into trouble with the regulators.

Some cyber cafe business owners take preventative measures by warning their prospective clients about the rules. They also install a monitoring system that will tell them when things are going wrong. Beware that there are some clients that will want to take advantage of a weak system. For example, they may do all their office downloads in the cafe whilst restricting the payments that they make. This means that your bandwidth is facing pressure and yet you are not getting paid for it.

Staff and Management

The number of employees required depends on the size of your internet cafe. This is not a labour intensive business. At the minimum you need  internet cafe assistants. Their job include:

• Welcoming customers, serving them and collecting payments
• Help customers with the use of computer software or any challenges they might face
• Maintaining cleanliness in the internet cafe
• Provide services such as printing, photocopying, scanning etc.
• Monitor use of computers to ensure compliance with internet café policies and applicable laws and regulation

Other staff positions include manager, IT Technician, finance & accounting staff, sales & marketing staff, though most of those can be done by one person for a small internet cafe business. The cyber cafe business plan should cater for the salaries of all your employees.

Marketing Plan

An internet café business has two broad set of potential customers. There are people who are unfamiliar with using the internet. Then there are people who are substantially familiar with the internet. Your marketing efforts seek to lure both sets of prospects. Breaking it down further you will be targeting students, business people, entrepreneurs, and random people. Create and spread out your digital footprint by putting up a website and social media accounts. Propagate promotional material in print and other electronic media. Good examples of these are radio, television, podcasts, skits, and newspapers. You can also participate in or contribute to strategic events where your target pools will be there. Put up posters and banners inside and outside the internet café.

The market for internet services is huge world-wide. More and more people are using the internet daily. Potential customers for an internet cafe include students, gamers, job seekers, business people, freelancers and professionals from various fields. It’s essential that you offer fast internet so as to attract more customers. Your employees should be knowledgeable and friendly. A proper marketing strategy should be included in your internet cafe business plan. This is one of the least capital intensive businesses. The internet cafe business is a huge income earner for individual entrepreneurs. It also employs countless numbers of people in the developing world. The internet cafe business is particularly lucrative in the developing world. This is because many people have some knowledge of the internet but are not rich enough to purchase their own personal computer for home use.

Keys To Profitability

Offer discounts for heavy internet users. Provide an account-based internet access for repeat customers. These two elements put together build customer loyalty. This is the kind of loyalty that promotes word of mouth and results in referrals. Ensure your computers or gadgets in general, are up to standard all the time. Ensuring the internet speed is fast and reliable is pertinent. Couple that with fast processing and reliable gadgets as well. That will keep customers coming back to your internet café. Diversify your revenue by offering as many services as you can. This is the most important key in increasing your profits. You internet café must go beyond by offering additional products and services. That is how you get to start a profitable internet café business. It is worth reiterating that market research must be thorough here. This also implies that your choice of location will be paramount. The internet café business can be quite lucrative. You just have to ensure you have a sustainable market for it.

Pre-Written Internet Cafe Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the internet cafe business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive internet cafe business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the internet cafe business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global internet cafe business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your internet cafe business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for an internet cafe business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the internet cafe business.

Uses of the Internet Cafe Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The cyber cafe business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your internet cafe business
• As an internet cafe business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the internet cafe business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Internet Cafe Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for an internet cafe includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the internet cafe business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your internet cafe business

The internet cafe business plan package consists of 4 files

• Internet Cafe Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 74 Pages)
• Internet Cafe Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 74 Pages)
• Internet Cafe Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 41 pages)
• Internet Cafe Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the costs, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Internet Cafe Business Plan (PDF)

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Every business starts with research and planning. The main purpose for writing a business plan is to get aware of those things that you might not have known or thought of yet. Depending on your case, you might be interested in devising a gaming lounge business plan or an esports arena business plan. As these are very close to the concept of Internet cafe we offer to use this as a template, expanding it with additional points where necessary. Besides, in this article you will find many useful information to assist you on the way.

Executive summary

Starting an internet cafe business can be a challenging task, especially if you lack entrepreneuring experience. However, devising a business plan will greatly facilitate you along the way. First of all, it will help you to gather many important information and facts, come up with a variety of internet cafe business ideas, decide on the format, consider pros and cons of this business, and even think about its future development. When getting down to work, the first questions coming to your mind might be whether it is a profitable business, how much does it cost to open an Internet cafe or what equipment do you need to start an internet cafe? This article probably won’t furnish you with a full answer, rather it will give you a general description of internet cafe business, while adding more questions for you to consider.

Internet cafe business overview

An Internet cafe (also cybercafe) is by no means new, yet a still relevant idea. The service of providing the public with a PC along with access to the Internet for a charge has been in expanding request since a long time ago. The first online cafe was launched in 1988 in Seoul and had only two 16-bit-computers connected to the online system of networks. Today internet cafes can be found all around the globe, while their purpose has evolved from basic webmail and instant messaging to multiplayer gaming. Since modern games often require modern computers and expensive gadgets more and more gamers prefer shared-access models over personal ownership.

Depending on location, target audience, and social agenda of the proprietors, cybercafés come in a wide range of formats and can be quite a profitable business. Internet cafes also appear as gaming lounges, cybersports arenas, or PC bangs – equipped with VR headsets, gaming consoles like Xbox and Playstation, and broadcasting esports tournaments on a big screen.

The majority of the entrepreneurs, engaged in this field are men of 22 – 50 years old, who understand computers at the level between the advanced user and system admin. Most of them also enjoy playing online games, keep abreast of new developments in the realm of computers and gaming equipment, be up to date with the latest developments in the cyber industry, follow the news about gaming teams and tournaments. As a rule, these people don’t have a wage job. Their work is focused on Internet cafes, gaming lounge business, bets, and sometimes other related businesses. Usually, these people start with a small budget and gradually increase their income.Those who managed to properly organize their business and make a profit, begin to open a chain of Internet cafes, some sell franchises.

On rare occasions, there are businessmen, possessing entrepreneurial experience from other projects, with a million-turnover, who open Internet cafe out of curiosity and desire to try something new. In this case, they invest a lot of money at once. Often, these business owners are interested in holding tournaments in specially equipped cyber arenas.

There are also those who don’t know anything about this kind of business, rather they’ve been told that opening an Internet cafe business is a way to make money easily and fast.

No matter which group you belong to if you are considering launching an Internet (cyber) cafe you will need to devise a business plan. Hereby we introduce an example of an internet cafe business plan, which can be modified according to your geographies and goals.

Pros & Cons of starting an Internet Cafe

Before establishing a business it is always useful to make up a list of advantages and disadvantages. We have gathered some of them, which are relevant for an Internet cafe business, yet keep in mind, that it might look different in each case, depending on the particular market and the entrepreneurial experience of yours.

• Business works 24/7. In practice this means that as an entrepreneur you have to be constantly in touch to solve problems that may arise (e.g., violation of the rules by clients, various unforeseeable situations etc.) At least in the beginning you need to be fully involved in order to understand the specifics of the business, the target audience, identify weak spots etc. It is also necessary to be aware of the latest innovations in the field of gaming and esports.
• It is difficult to scale the business.  Internet cafe business has its limits. Once a company is launched, pays back and starts to bring net profit, there are just a couple of options to scale: either to sell franchises or open a network of Internet cafes. You can establish a business and get a stable income, yet it will always remain at the same level.
• Regular update/replacement of equipment.  Each product has its life cycle. Since computers in Internet cafes are used constantly, their wear and tear happens way faster. Besides regular maintenance, cleaning, and minor repairs of the computers, it is necessary to completely replace the equipment every 2-4 years. First of all, because of its wear and secondly, due to outdated parameters. Every year new games are released, increasing the requirements to the computer components – processor, video card, memory etc. Fast and powerful computers are one of the reasons why gamers visit cyber cafes. Thus, if you do not update the equipment, you risk to lose part of the target audience.
• Low budget needed for start.  Compared to other businesses, cyber cafes are generally simple to set up. Main costs for launching an Internet cafe comprise computers, monitors and consoles. An average business with 15-20 computers, will require between $30,000 and $50,000. This is a rather small budget for business, which in time will bring you regular income.
• Payback after 12 months (average).  Cyber cafe business, you can quickly setup and configure all the processes, provided you thought everything through and made preliminary calculations. The payback of such a business can take from 9 to 14 months. Then you get a net income and can plan to expand. Of course, everything depends on your particular case, and if you add a bar and kitchen in parallel, then it may take more time.
• Little competition.  15 years ago, when Internet cafes were very popular, there was a big competition. There were many cybercafes where one could go, and there were a few or no empty seats. Today, the focus has shifted, as everyone has a computer at home. Cyber cafes are made for the atmosphere, community, and a possibility to play on professional PCs. The second wave of popularity of cybercafes has just begun, yet still few competitors, which makes it possible to quickly attract the target audience to your place. At the same time, more tournaments are being held every year.
• Combination with other types of business.  As a rule, the main service of your business will be providing access to the Internet, and/or new games on PCs and consoles. In addition, you can expand your business with related services. If you decided to start a cybercafe business you might face the situations when some of your clients ask for photocopies, printing documents, photos, etc. By simply buying a printer-scanner you can get additional income, while it will also be useful in the daily work of the cybercafe. Also, when players spend more than 3-4 hours in the Internet cafe, they need at least one break to eat and drink. Thus, building a coffee area will bring extra income and allow your clients to spend more time in your cybercafe.

What products and services cybercafe business provides?

When devising a business plan for your Internet cafe it is helpful to distinguish between the primary and additional services.

Primary service  – within this section think of the core service that your cyber cafe company provides. Is it good connection to the Internet, gaming facilities, possibility to use expensive software for a small price, or an equipped coworking space? Pick out one thing that will serve as a pillar for your business, think of it as your unique selling proposition (USP).

While choosing a core service mention in your business plan the impact that it will cause. Speculate on how your customers’ life will be affected by the service(s) that you provide? Maybe you make people happy, satisfied, productive, entertained. You help the local community to stay connected with the rest of the world and fulfil their goals by the help of Internet connection / modern computers / gaming facilities etc.

It might be that your core service will be focused on esports. This field is getting more and more popularity, encouraging e-Sports schools being opened around the world. With this regard, many cybercafes nowadays also provide separate rooms for training esports teams.

Additional products/services.  Now time to brainstorm further. Make up a list of accompanying services that will be offered in your Internet (cyber) cafe and one-by-one write about the impact they are supposed to make for your customers. You can also use the items that were mentioned above, yet were not defined as a primary service. Additionally, you can include the following options to your service list:

• Cafe serving beverages / snacks / healthy meals
• Copy center services
• Private working space (rooms)
• Kicker, darts, etc.

Once your list of primary and additional services is ready keep it at hand. The next step would be to define their prices. Easily said, but this task will require thoughtful consideration. Besides checking the prices of your competitors and willingness of customers to pay, you will also need to count your expenses and comply with financial goals you set. You should also observe the habits of your customers, and possibly introduce a dynamic pricing scheme (when prices are flexible and depend on the day time and demand). You should also consider introducing system of discounts, special offers for loyal customers etc.

Comparison to competitors

Check your competitors, define their market share, strong and weak spots. This will then help you to find your position or niche on the market, as well as set more realistic goals on sales and profit.

Why should customers choose you over your competitor? This question is very important for defining your unique selling proposition (USP), discovering the pillars of your internet cafe. Check the list below, pick the points that are relevant for your case and expand if necessary.

• Upscale equipment (laptops, computers, printers, scanners, headsets, consoles (Xbox, Playstation), gaming mice, professional keyboards, additional gadgets- VR glasses, Gaming wheels, controllers etc.)
• Comfortable gaming chairs
• Fast and reliable Internet & Wi-Fi hotspots
• Besides state-of-the-art hardware the computers will also come with professional software (e.g., Adobe Cloud Programs) and gaming platforms (e.g., Steam). Upon customer request, the Internet cafe business can also acquire a license for a particular software.
• Possibility for open space and private working rooms/cabins
• Convenient (central, unique, extraordinary) location
• Fair prices, convenient booking system and payment options, bonuses, client discounts etc.

Internet cafe business plan introduction

Business name.  Give your internet cafe a name. Be creative, make sure it fits into the whole picture of your business concept. Double-check that it’s different from those of your competitors and easy to remember for your customers. Here you can also consider buying a franchise. In this case, you will build your institution based on the existing internet cafe business model which proved its success. Basically, you will get a ready-to-use guide on how to open an Internet cafe, which will save you time, resources and efforts. However, keep in mind that along with convenience and support that you get as franchisee, you are limited to a certain level in strategic and managerial decisions. Thus, for experienced and ambitious entrepreneurs, nurturing novel and fresh business ideas in mind, franchising won’t be a suitable option.

Legal business structure.  Every business is a legal unit with a specific structure. Think of yours. Will it be a sole proprietorship or a partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a corporation? Are there any investors involved? While choosing a structure for your business consider such impacting factors as flexibility, complexity, control, permits, licenses, taxes and other regulations.

Brief description of what your business does.  Here you should be able to explain in a nutshell your business concept.

Mission.  Besides making profit your internet cafe first of all should serve a public good. Think of those social solutions that you bring. Your cybercafé can, for example, fulfill the following missions:

• It provides an easy, reliable, safe and affordable access to the Internet.
• It serves a meeting place for sharing online experiences.
• It accommodates a creative and comfortable environment for people to learn, work, play and relax.

What problem does your Internet cafe solve for your customers?  Possible answers here might be the following:

• bad PCs at home that do not allow people to play at maximum settings or in the latest games;
• no privacy at home (parents/ partner or children interfere, etc.)

Think of any other relevant points, depending on your case. Maybe it is also useful to conduct a focus group to identify other customer needs.

What results does your internet café create?

• Customers get things done by means of having a quick, reliable safe and affordable access to the Internet
• Customers enjoy being in a creative environment, using affordable upscale equipment for their studies, work, gaming or entertainment
• Customers are happy to have another place for making friends and connections, while sharing their online experiences.

Think of any other relevant points, depending on your case.

How does your internet cafe create those results?  By means of providing necessary equipment (computers, software and access to the Internet) in comfortable premises at a convenient location, offering other services (e.g., food & drinks, open-space and private rooms) to meet customer needs and ensure best-in-class user experience.

Who does your company serve?  Again, think of your Personas. Which customer cluster reflects the main target audience? Are these travelers, students, professionals, gamers etc.? What is their average age? What are their core needs? It is important to remember that the choice of business model and related services will change the target audience, and vice versa. As a rule, the majority of players in cyber cafes are pupils and students. At the same time the related services a cybercafe provides will directly influence the target audience. In case the cyber cafe also sells alcohol, hookahs, etc., the clients will then be different. You can also expand the target audience by means of equipping your Internet cafe with gaming consoles, e.g. Xbox or Playstation.

Why do you do what you do?  Reasons for you to run an internet cafe might be numerous and diverse. Yet try to figure out what it means to you. Maybe you’re an exper t in the field of cybercafes or you possess suitable resources for this business. Maybe there is a sharp demand for such a place, but none or little supply. Maybe you yourself belong to the target audience and know the needs of the customers as no one else. Or it has always been your dream to own an internet café. Sincere answer to this question will help you to understand your motives and plan more realistically not just in a short term, but in a long-term perspective.

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Internet cafe setup requirements

Think here on your step-by-step plan or proprietary system. List a complex of providers, suppliers, processes, tools, or systems that you own, granting your internet cafe a benefit or competitive advantage. As a basic think of the following:

• Location (rent or buy or build)
• Design and renovation of the premises
• Supply of furniture (tables, chairs, sofas, bean bag chairs) and equipment (coffee machine, vending machines, etc.)
• Provider of the Internet
• Supplier of computers, and other devices
• Software Licenses
• Supply of additional services (drinks, catering)
• Team – number of employees, their roles, responsibilities, shifts
• Internet cafe management software

Here it is relevant to remind that provided you go with the franchise option, the proprietary system as well as the main cyber cafe requirements will be provided by franchisor for you to use. Of course, the terms and conditions might be different depending on the agreement, but the fundamental restrictive unit for the beginning you will get in most of cases.

What are your objectives? (define your goals)  Last but not least – schedule your goals. Elaborate some plans regarding sales, revenue and profit you intend to make. Devise a roadmap of future development of your business. Think of your goals in terms of short-and long-time perspectives. Draft them for 1-year, 2-years, 5-years time span or longer. While setting your goals on the paper use the rule of S.M.A.R.T. In other words, keep your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Market analysis

At this stage, make sure to gather as much information about the market, as possible. Invest enough time to research the general state of matters and trends. A useful technique to apply at this stage would be PESTLE analysis. The name stands for the abbreviation of the components of the analysis and is used to scan the following macro-environmental factors – political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental. When analysing the above mentioned factors, try to identify the elements within each of them, as well as seek to understand what is their business impact. For example, does the current political situation create a solid basis for you to start the internet cafe business? Is the economic condition favourable for introducing your service to the market? Is the society open/ willing to pay for your service etc.? The following table provides the respective questions to assist you in conducting PESTLE analysis.

Additionally, you can make a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for your business.

Market trends & needs

To gather information about your target market turn to statistical data, relevant market reports, professional periodicals, marketing research agencies. While doing your research check the related industries and fields – Online Gaming, Video Streaming, Cyber Security, esports etc. Also look at associated issues in the respective fields: Internet penetration, number of available commercial wi-fi locations and hotspots, number of Internet users, reasons for using Internet etc.

Some introductory data and insights can be found at statista.com. For example, the esports market has been consistently developing in recent years. It is expected to grow further in the next 3-5 years. More and more people nowadays come to watch how their favourite games are being played by world recognized gamers. As indicated by the Newzoo there are determined to be 646 million viewers of esports worldwide by 2023, which is over 30% expansion from the 395 million in 2018.

The fans are spread over the world, yet the Asia Pacific area is by all accounts a specific hotspot for esports. In the USA, meanwhile, some 9.2 % of web users in 2019 viewed esports, with the figure expected to rise to 15.5 % by 2023.

As the statistics show every year more and more tournaments are held, bigger audience is attracted. Thus, while planning a cybercafe business one should keep in mind that the majority of gamers also make bets in the field of gaming and esports.

Internet cafe marketing plan and strategy

Every marketing action – be it a message, flyer, social post or event – is aimed at people. Thus, when devising an internet cafe marketing plan it is crucial to gather as much information about your audience as possible.

Demographics & Psychographics.  Define the demographics of your target audience – what is their age, gender, income, place of living etc. Then collect their psychographic characteristics – such as interests, desires, fears etc. In the process of collecting these data you might come up to the fact that there are several groups / clusters of you TA. Use Personas method to differentiate them. This will help you achieve the goal of your marketing campaigns, improve your lead generation and conversion strategy, as well as offer more suitable products/ services to your clients.

Remember, that a slight detail can make a huge difference. What if a significant part of your customers are vegans, environmental activists living a sustainable life? How can you make their experience in your cafe more comfortable – provide vegan snacks, supplying the place with renewable energy sources, equipping it with eco-friendly furniture etc. The variations are endless here. Your task is to identify the factors that will signify the interest and bonds of the customers to your Internet cafe.

Where can you find your clients?  Where can you find each of them – online or off-line? Think on which online services and social media they use. Do they actively participate in social media groups, do they read expert magazines or do they attend festivals? The clearer picture you will get on this stage the easier it will be for you on the next steps – when drawing marketing strategy (visibility, lead generation and conversion).

Visibility (awareness) strategy.  How people will learn about your Internet cafe – via ads in Google or social media, through paid commercials on TV or in YouTube, by means of influencers, flyers or word-of-mouth? Options and combinations can be numerous. The key factors here are budget and efficacy. You can spend thousands and get zero results, or you can spend almost nothing but hit the target. Look first at the answers from the previous step, identify the channels through which you can reach your audience, compare the prices of the channels. And then build your strategy. Remember, that the advantage(benefit) of digital marketing is that you can test different strategies with relatively low budget, see what works best and then rise the costs. Consider turning to a digital marketing agency if that corresponds to your needs.

Additionally, brainstorm for info drivers and events that can be part of your cybercafe marketing strategy. One of the possible promotion steps for your business can be hosting esports tournaments.

This step requires much thought and effort. The core question here is “How will you establish contact with potential customers?” It is most likely that you will apply digital tools and online marketing. In this case your lead generation will comprise the following elements: content, SEO, promotion, conversion and analytics. Let’s briefly look into each of these.

Content strategy comes first.  This will characterize the story behind your services, the key messages you send to your target audience and, also, the tone of voice in which they will be articulated. The content will be sent through all possible channels you decide for: website, landing pages, emails, social media, blog post as well as Call to Action.

Website strategy.  If your internet cafe can’t be discovered on the web, then it doesn’t exist. In other words to make your cybercafe visible you need to have a website. Besides raising the rating of your Internet cafe, a website is also an excellent informative tool, that helps to attract more clients from organic search. Generally, a website will build trust to your institution from clients and partners. Thus, if one day you decide to grow by selling cyber cafe franchises, a website will be a big plus.

Promotion strategy  as a rule starts nowadays with Social Networks – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat. Check the most relevant for your type of business. For example, TikTok and Snapchat are the main channels for attracting teenagers, while adults are bound to be found elsewhere. Some question here to help you with the decision are the following:

• Where can you gather most of your TA (target audience)?
• Which of those are most efficient with regard to available budget?
• Which Social Media fits the best to your content strategy and chosen tone of voice?

In case you identify several platforms which are relevant for your internet cafe business it’s then worth trying to try all of them and see which ones work best in your field, region, market. Within your promotion activity you also manage social posts and email communication.

Conversion strategy.  Once you’ve got your leads it’s time to convert them into prospects or customers. The method of communication you decide – be it a phone call, email or personal message in social media. Within this stage you should look at the lead nurturing lifecycle and devise a complex of measures to acquire, keep and grow your customers – e.g. outreach programs, loyalty programs, organisation of events, system of upselling, cross-selling etc.

Analytics strategy.  The essential part of every strategy are the metrics and indicators that help to measure and analyse the results of the steps having been taken. Principal performance indicators are CTR, CPL, (Website) Rate of Conversion, Leads to qualified leads, Leads per channel etc. All the necessary info regarding these and other indicators can be found in the Internet, thus we shall not focus on them within this article.

What you need to keep in mind however, that analytics is an important task, which you better not skip. Once you identify the cost of a lead from each channel, try to reduce it to a minimum without loss in quality. Check the reports and regularly manage your advertising budget. After six months, compare the figures, analyse the amount of money spent on acquired leads to the quality of these leads.

Internet Cafe Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Internet Cafe Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their internet cafe companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating an internet cafe business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write an internet cafe business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an Internet Cafe Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your internet cafe business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for an Internet Cafe

If you’re looking to start an internet cafe business or grow your existing internet cafe company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your internet cafe business to improve your chances of success. Your internet cafe business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Internet Cafe Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an internet cafe business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for internet cafe companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for an internet cafe business.

If you want to start an internet cafe business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your internet cafe business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of internet cafe business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an internet cafe business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of internet cafe businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the internet cafe industry.
• Discuss the type of internet cafe business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of internet cafe business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of internet cafe businesses:

• Internet kiosks : In this type of internet cafe business, small kiosks are built and positioned to be temporary internet cafes, as customers who visit the kiosks search the internet for directions, locations and other information.
• Cyber cafe: A cyber cafe is similar to an internet cafe, although the usage of the internet may be mixed with gaming and internet searches.
• Gaming cafe: Popular with teens, a gaming cafe offers computers and gaming accessories connected to very high bandwidth, which allows for specialized gaming.
• Commercial cafe: These internet cafes exist to serve commercial establishments with a need for high bandwidth and dedicated spaces.

In addition to explaining the type of internet cafe business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of commercial contracts on file, or reaching X number of return gamers served, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the internet cafe industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the internet cafe industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your internet cafe business plan:

• How big is the internet cafe industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your internet cafe business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your internet cafe business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, gamer groups, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of internet cafe business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other internet cafe businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes private homes with high bandwidth internet services, video game lounges, and gaming casinos. You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of internet cafe business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide options for multiple rounds of gaming play?
• Will you offer internet services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide snacks and other amenities?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a internet cafe business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of internet cafe company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide an internet cafe that serves light snacks and meals, along with a gaming lounge area?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your internet cafe company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your internet cafe business located in a busy retail district, a neighborhood strip mall, or a standalone building near a college? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your internet cafe marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise on radio stations and/or gaming magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers to card collector and game stores
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your internet cafe business, including setting up game play for groups, planning and providing internet sessions, billing customers, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth gaming session, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your internet cafe business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your internet cafe business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing internet cafe businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing an internet cafe business or successfully running a card and game store.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you see 30 internet customers per day, and/or offer group gaming sessions? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your internet cafe business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a internet cafe business:

• Cost of equipment and accessories
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, internet bandwidth, office supplies

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your multi-year contract for internet services or your location lease.

Writing a business plan for your internet cafe business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the internet cafe industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful internet cafe business.

Internet Cafe Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my internet cafe business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your internet cafe business plan.

How Do You Start an Internet Cafe Business?

Starting an Internet Cafe business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Internet Cafe Business
• Create Your Internet Cafe Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Internet Cafe Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Internet Cafe Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Internet Cafe Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Internet Cafe Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Internet Cafe Business Equipment
• Develop Your Internet Cafe Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Internet Cafe Business
• Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Internet Cafe business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan services can give you a winning business plan.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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.

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.

internet cafe business plan

A cyber café is a business that provides computer access, internet connectivity and other digital services to customers. The business can be started as a small enterprise with just a few computers, or it can be expanded to a large facility with multiple computer terminals, printing and scanning facilities, video conferencing and other multimedia services.

Starting a cyber café business requires careful planning and consideration of various factors such as location, competition, equipment and services offered, pricing, marketing and advertising strategies, and the target market.

Location is a crucial factor for a cyber café business. The café should be located in a convenient, accessible and highly visible area, near residential or commercial areas, with high foot traffic. The location should also have adequate parking space and a safe and secure environment for customers.

Competition should also be considered when starting a cyber café business. Researching the local market, identifying competitors and their strengths and weaknesses can help you determine how to position your business and what services and features to offer to stand out.

The equipment and services offered by the cyber café should be state-of-the-art and updated regularly to meet the changing demands of customers. The café should offer high-speed internet connectivity, modern computer terminals, printing and scanning facilities, and other digital services such as video conferencing, multimedia services and software applications. The cyber café should also provide a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for customers, with adequate seating, lighting and air conditioning.

Pricing should be competitive, taking into account the services offered, the target market and the competition. Offering packages and discounts can be an effective way to attract and retain customers.

Marketing and advertising strategies should be tailored to the target market and should focus on the unique features and benefits offered by the cyber café. Utilizing social media, local advertising, promotions and events can be effective in attracting and retaining customers.

The target market for a cyber café business can range from students, professionals, and tourists, to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Understanding the needs and preferences of your target market can help you design and customize your services and marketing strategies accordingly.

In conclusion, a cyber café business can be a profitable and rewarding venture for entrepreneurs who are passionate about technology and have a desire to provide high-quality digital services to customers. With careful planning, consideration of the factors mentioned above and a commitment to excellence, a cyber café business can become a thriving and successful enterprise.

How to Start an Internet Café in South Africa

These days, pretty much everybody needs access to computer facilities, but not everyone can afford a home computer. Phones are great for texting and surfing, but what about when you need to send a CV to apply for a job, print out important documents to be signed or do some serious research?

Since broadband became available in South Africa, internet cafés have popped up all over the country to meet these needs. Many of these are add-ons to the fax-call-copy shops that are as familiar on African city streets as hair salons and fast-food kiosks.

In addition to offering a valued service to everyday South Africans, internet cafés offer opportunities for budding business owners. Just one example of a start-up success in this industry is the story of Luvuyo Rani, who started the Silulo Ulutho Internet Café in Khayelitsha with his brother back in 2004. Today the award-winning business boasts several branches in the Western and Eastern Cape – with plans to expand even more.

Starting an internet café is not as hard as it may sound. The main things you’ll need are a venue, computers and internet connectivity. Here are some other factors to consider…

Some important steps for starting out

1. First up, research the viability of your business idea and draw up a business plan. A number of local organisations can help you do this. Try the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) or the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), or download the free Business Plan Book from smetoolkit.org.

2. Research what a typical internet café offers, and decide how you will position yourself in the market. Will you do something unique to stand out from competitors?

3. Brush up on your business skills. Do you know enough about accounting, budgeting and financial planning to run a business? It may help to find a mentor. The National Youth Development Agency runs a volunteer mentorship programme for young entrepreneurs, but there are many other avenues you can try if you no longer qualify as youth. Start here .

4. Decide: Will you be a sole trader, company or partnership? Then register your business so that you follow the statutory requirements and keep on the good side of the tax office. If you register as a company with the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPC), you’ll automatically be registered with SARS. If you decide to go the sole proprietor or partnership route, you need to registers with SARS directly.

5. Consider where to set up your internet café. Do you want to serve a particular community? Will you need retail space? Are you in a position to buy space, or will you need to rent? If so, can you afford the rental as part of your overheads? Don’t forget to check the municipality by-laws in the area you want to start your café to make sure you abide by local regulations.

If buying or building trading space is likely to be too much for your budget, consider alternatives to fixed “brick and mortar”. For example, converted shipping containers are growing in popularity as both office and retail spaces.

At Big Box Containers, we specialise in converting high-quality shipping containers for a range of purposes, including computer centres and internet cafés .

Each container can be fully customised to suit your needs, for example with suitable work surfaces, connection points, lighting and security features.

Added advantages are that shipping containers are fully portable, as well as weather and intruder-resistant. And if your internet café business takes off and you want to scale up to meet demand, you can simply “add on” another container to expand your operations.

6. Make all-important decisions about the hardware, software, internet-service provider (ISP) and network options you’ll use. Computer equipment can be leased, so you don’t necessarily have to invest a large sum upfront. Ideally, you want an ISP that’s reliable and offers both hosting and technical support.

If you don’t have all the necessary technical know-how, speak to IT experts. Those in the know will also be able to offer you guidance on choosing the right ISP. There are also organisations that train aspiring internet café owners on all the ins and outs.

7. Set your price points. Research the rates other internet cafés charge, keep your business plan and bottom line in mind, and consider what customers in your area may be willing to pay. Sure, you want to break even as soon as possible – but you also want to keep customers coming through the door.

8. Now you’re ready to market your business to your target audience. Set up a website (or blog-as-website) and a Facebook page, and consider placing an ad in the local paper. Hopefully, you’ve chosen a location that gets enough foot traffic for your signage to be seen and to attract walk-ins. Try get customers to subscribe to your website so you can e-mail them newsletters of campaigns or specials.

Also try to offer something different. Something every smart internet café owners should consider is adding gaming to your offering. Online gaming is a growing industry, and gamers are known to play for hours. Good news for your business!

Click through to find out how we convert shipping containers to computer centres.

Contact BigBox today for a free quote!

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Home » Sample Business Plans » Technology

How to Write an Internet Café Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting an internet cafe ? If YES, here is a complete sample internet cafe business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . Since the advent of the internet, a lot of other big things have happened to information technology. You too can begin to look at ways to tap into the vast opportunity that exists in this industry. One of the hurdles that is readily needed to be scaled when you are looking to start an internet cafe business is research.

To a very large extent, you will need to carry out some extensive research. This is so that you know what is required of you in the venture that you plan to embark on. Yet another thing that you will need to look at is the business plan aspect. Here below is a sample internet café business plan;

A Sample Internet Café Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The internet café line of business is one business that irrespective of the change in trends, is still managing to survive especially when the business is well positioned in a location like airports, campus, public facilities or hotels et al. Simply put, an Internet café, which is also known as a cybercafé, is a place which provides Internet access to the public, usually for a fee.

Most internet cafés usually provide snacks and drinks, hence the café in the name. In an internet café, the fee for using a computer that is connected to an internet facility is usually charged as a time-based rate. The internet café or cyber cafe phenomenon in the united states was started in July 1991 by Wayne Gregori in San Francisco when he began SFnet Coffeehouse Network.

Gregori designed, built and installed 25 coin operated computer terminals in coffeehouses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The café terminals dialed into a 32 line Bulletin Board System that offered an array of electronic services including FIDOnet mail and, in 1992, Internet mail.

But the first public, commercial American Internet café was conceived and launched by Jeff Anderson in August 1994, at Infomart in Dallas, Texas and was named The High Tech Cafe. After then, three other internet cafés subsequently opened in the East Village neighborhood of New York City: Internet Cafe opened by Arthur Perley, the @ Cafe, and the Heroic Sandwich.

So also in 1996, the Internet café Surf City opened in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. The Internet Café / Cyber Cafe industry is indeed a large industry and there is hardly any airport (international) that you won’t find an internet café that you can either connect your gadget through their Wi-Fi or log on to their computer to surf the net while you wait for your flight.

Though for some players in this industry would prefer to build their call centers in places where they can maximize profits; countries like India, China and The Philippines readily comes to mind

One good thing about starting an internet café business is that, aside from the fact that people will come in to browse the internet and carry out their jobs; you can also generate enough income by engaging in the sale of coffee and snacks.

So all you need to do if you want to maximize your internet café business is to strategically position the business and you will be amazed at the rate people troop to your internet café, not only those that want to browse the internet, but also those who may just want to hang out with friends over a cup of coffee and snacks.

2. Executive Summary

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC is a one stop, standard and licensed internet café and coffee shop that is fully equipped with the latest technology in the cyber café industry. Our cyber café will be located in the heart of Inglewood, Los Angeles – California, U.S and we are positioned in a location with the right demographic compositions of people who are regular users of public cyber café.

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC will operate as a standard cyber café where clients are expected to surf the internet at the speed of light, make internet phone calls, conduct teleconference, and scan and send documents online. We also engage in the sale of snacks and coffee, operating a full fledge business center and the sale of data bundle and call cards for various telecommunication providers.

Our business goal is to work towards becoming one of the leading cyber café brands in the whole of Los Angeles and in the nearest future compete with the leaders in the industry not only in the United States but also in the global stage.

We are not ignorant of the fact that building a standard and world class internet café from the scratch requires huge capital base especially for the purchase of world – class and up – to date internet equipment (server, and computers) and software applications et al, which is why we have perfect plans for steady flow of cash.

We can confidently say that we have a robust financial standing and we are ready to take on any challenge that we encounter in the industry. We are well – staffed and well – equipped to run a 24 hours a day and 7 days a week cyber café with a well – planned shift system.

We will ensure that all our employees are selected from a pool of qualified and customer centric people in and around Los Angeles – California and also from any part of the United States. We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with other players in the United States and throughout the globe.

At Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC, our client’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC is owned by Garry Boston and his wife Geraldine Boston. Geraldine Boston is a certified cyber café administrator; she has over 15 years of experience in the internet café / cyber cafe industry. Her husband Garry Boston will be the administrative head of the business. He has an MBA from University of California and he has occupied senior managerial roles before joining his wife to start Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC.

3. Our Products and Services

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC is going to offer varieties of services within the scope of the internet café / cyber café industry in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our internet café in Inglewood – Los Angele is to make profits from the internet café / cyber café industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and business goals.

Our business offering are listed below;

• Providing fast and secured internet browsing services
• Providing cheap and secured international internet calls
• Providing fast and secured teleconference services
• Providing document scanning and photocopy services
• Sale of soft drinks, coffee and snacks
• Sale of call cards, and internet bundles from various telecom service providers
• Providing related internet café advisory and consultancy services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become the number one public cyber cafe in the whole of Los Angeles, California within the first five years of starting the business.
• Our mission is to build a world class and well equipped public cyber café brand that will become the preferred choice for a wide range of client ranging from individual client to corporate organizations in the Los Angeles – California.

Our Business Structure

The success of any business is to a larger extent dependent on the business structure of the organization and the people who occupy the available role. Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our internet café business. We will ensure that we hire competent hands to help us build the business of our dream.

The fact that we want to become one of the leading cyber café brand in the industry in the whole of the United States of America makes it highly necessary for our organization to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.

We will work hard to ensure that we only attract people with the right mindset to help us achieve our business goals and objectives in record time. Below is the business structure that we will build Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC;

• Chief Executive Officer

Cyber Café Manager / Cyber Café Supervisor

Admin and HR Manager

• Marketing and Sales Executive
• Customer Care Officer / Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for managing the daily running of the cyber café, including sourcing equipment, effective resource planning and implementing cyber café strategies and operations;
• Carries out needs assessments, performance reviews and cost/benefit analyses;
• Responsible for setting and meeting performance targets for speed, efficiency, sales and quality;
• Ensures all relevant communications, records and data are updated and recorded;
• Advises clients on products and services available;
• Liaises with supervisors, team leaders, operatives and third parties to gather information and resolve issues;
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of industry developments and involvement in networks;
• Coordinates staff recruitment, including writing vacancy advertisements and liaising with HR staff;
• Reviews the performance of staff, identifying training needs and planning training sessions;
• Records statistics, user rates and the performance levels of the cyber café and preparing reports;
• Handles the most complex customer complaints or enquiries;
• Responsible for organizing staffing, including shift patterns and the number of staff required to meet demand;
• Responsible for coaching, motivating and retaining staff and coordinating bonus, reward and incentive schemes;
• Responsible for forecasting and analyzing data against budget figures on a weekly and/or monthly basis.

Information Technologist

• Manages the organization website and serve room
• Responsible for continuous update of our online security platform
• Ensures that our payment platform is secured 24 / 7
• Responsible for installing and maintenance of “Private Automated Business Exchanges” (PABX), telephones, computer software and hardware for the organization
• Manages logistics, Web servers and POS (point of sale) systems
• Responsible for continuous upgrade and maintenance of IT systems
• Responsible for generating tickets for the cyber café
• Handles any other technological and IT related duties.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of studio equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Facilitates and coordinates strategic sessions.
• Works directly with clients in a non-advising capacity, such as answering questions, scheduling appointments and making sure all training concerns are properly taken care off
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Marketing and Sales Executive (Business Developer)

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies business opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of music projects.
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients and music artists
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Help to increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Client Service Executives / Front Desk Officer

• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In centre, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries
• Distributes mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

6. SWOT Analysis

We very much know the importance of knowing the areas we are good at and the areas that we struggle with.  That is the reason why Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC employed the services of a core professional in the area of cyber café consulting and business structuring to assist the organization in building a standard cyber café that can favorably compete with other leading cyber café brands in the United States of America and the world at large.

Part of what the business consultant did was to work with the management of the company in conducting a SWOT analysis for Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC;

Our core strength lies in our service offerings, the power of our team and the state of the art cyber café equipment and software applications that we have – fast, secured and reliable internet. We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money.

We are well positioned in the heart of Inglewood, Los Angeles and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our cyber café for business.

As a new cyber café in Los Angeles, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and attract some well – established corporate clients; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to pump into the promotion of our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the cyber café / internet café industry are massive especially in Los Angeles, and we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

The truth is that with the advancement of technology and cheaper internet data bundles, it is now easier for organizations to conduct their teleconference from their office and for individuals to purchase internet bundle and browse on their mobile gadgets (smart phones, tablets and pads).

So also, just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new cyber café in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

It is known fact that cyber cafés are a natural evolution of the traditional café. As a matter of fact, cafés started as places for information exchange, and have always been used as places to read the paper, send postcards home, play traditional or electronic games, chat to friends, find out local information.

As Internet access is in increasing in demand, many pubs, bars and cafés have terminals, so the distinction between the cyber café and the traditional café is eroded. For instance, in some, countries in Europe, the number of pure cyber cafés is decreasing since more and more normal cafés offer the same services.

However, there are European countries where the total number of publicly accessible terminals is also decreasing. Germany is one good example of such countries where publicly accessible terminal is on the decrease. The reason for this trend is a combination of complicated regulation, relatively high Internet penetration rates, the widespread use of notebooks and PDAs and the relatively high number of wireless internet hotspots.

Lastly, while most cyber cafés are privately own businesses, many have been set up to Help Bridge the ‘digital divide’, providing computer access and training to those without home access. For example, the uk government has supported the setting up of 6000 telecentres.

8. Our Target Market

One of the things that make businesses breakeven is the number of clients that command per time. This is one of the reasons why we will leave no stone unturned in seeing that we get the right words out there to people about what we are doing.

The target market for the cyber café / internet industry is all encompassing because of their service offerings. In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and individual who we know will need our services.

We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that our cyber café attracts the kind of clients we would love to work with. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our services to;

• Corporate organizations (basically for teleconference and similar web meetings)
• All adults in the locations where our internet café is located
• Students who would need internet facility to fill forms online and to make photocopies and scan documents
• Job applicants who would need to fill online applications and to forward their CVs and documents
• All coffee lovers in Inglewood – Los Angeles, California
• All online gamers in Inglewood – Los Angeles, California
• People with smart phones, tabs and pads who would want to purchase internet bundles and call cards.

Our Competitive Advantage

We are mindful of the fact that there will always be stiff competition in the cyber café / internet café industry in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing.

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC might be a new entrant into the cyber café / internet café industry in the United States of America, but we are coming into the industry with core professionals and of course a standard world – class cyber café with the latest equipment and software applications  in the industry. We are well – positioned in Inglewood Los Angeles – California.

Our complimentary services – fully functional business center and coffee and snacks bar will enable us attract loads of customers per time in our cyber café.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category ( startups cyber café businesses ) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

It is the duty of anyone going into business to identify how he/she intends to generate startup funds. It is for this reason that  Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the internet café / cyber café industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract our target market.

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC will generate income by offering the following services;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to cyber café services; it is always cheaper and reliable for small businesses and start – ups to carry out teleconference or web meetings. This goes to show that any cyber café that is well – equipped and well positioned will always attract corporate clients and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Inglewood – Los Angeles, California and beyond and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base beyond Inglewood to the whole of Los Angeles – California.

We have been able to critically examine the cyber café market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Los Angeles – CA.

Below is the sales projection for Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to cyber café start – ups in the United States;

• First Fiscal Year-: $75,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $150,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $350,000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same internet café services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We will work really hard to see that we attract the type of sales and leads that will make us break even at all times. Cyber café business is not a business that you have to go out there to retail products which is why we must do all we can to maximize any opportunity that comes our way to attract people to patronize of cyber café and coffee bar.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the cyber café / internet café industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization.

We will also ensure that our excellent service delivery (fast, reliable and secured internet access) speaks for us in the market place; we want to build a standard and well equipped cyber café that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients.

Our business goal is to build our cyber café business to become the number one choice in the whole of Los Angeles – California which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the Inglewood, Los Angeles, but throughout California as well.

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our cyber café by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to, residence, organizations and key stake holders in Los Angeles and other parts of the U.S.
• Advertise our business in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local internet café relevant expos, seminars, and fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver top notch services (for teleconference and web meetings)
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from our loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with brand and publicity specialist to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market. We are set to take the cyber café / internet café industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our cyber café.

Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC;

• Place adverts on both print and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant TV shows and radio programs
• Maximize our official website to promote our business
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat,  Badoo, Google+  and other platforms (music online forums) to promote our business.
• Offer Pro Bono services to Non – profits Organizations as part of our community social responsibility
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Los Angeles – CA
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact corporate organizations, schools, Non – Profits Organizations and start – ups by calling them up and informing them of Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC and the services we offer
• Advertise our cyber café business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
• Brand all our official cars / buses and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

We do not want to overprice ours services, and that is why we will go around and sample the price system of other businesses like our internet cafe business. The nature of internet café services makes it easier for operators in this industry to charge her clients fees based on the number of hours / time spent; usually this fee is charged based on the discretion of the cyber café.

At Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises who engage our services to help them organize teleconference or web meetings / webcast et.

• Payment Options

At Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business.

The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a cyber café business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money.

The bulk of the money that is expected to be spent when setting up a cyber café is in the purchase of equipment and of course leasing / renting a standard facility. However, this is what it would cost us to start Cosmos Call Center Agency, LLC in the United of America;

• The Total Fee for incorporating the Business in Los Angeles, California – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license – $2,500
• The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Office facility with enough space for standard cyber café in a business district 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $120,000.
• The Cost for equipping the cyber café (telephone boxes, headsets, server room, computers, software applications, “Private Automated Business Exchanges” (PABX),printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $70,000
• The Cost of Launching our official Website – $600
• Budget for paying  at least 3 employees for 3 months and utility bills – $80,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
• Miscellaneous – $1,000

Going by the report from the research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about $350,000 to set up a medium scale but standard call center in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC is going to start as a family business that will be solely owned and managed by Garry Boston and his wife Geraldine Boston. Both of them will be the financial of the business, but may likely welcome other partners later, which is why they have decided to restrict the sourcing of his start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $250,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to equip our cyber café facility with state of the equipment, technology and software applications.

Planet One Cyber Café®, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Renting of Office cum Call Facility: Completed
• Setting Up Of The Cyber Café Facility: In Progress
• Intellectual Property Protection and Trademark: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed call center equipment, software applications, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry: In Progress

More on Technology

How to start an Internet café in South Africa

The proliferation of technology and the internet has made connectivity a necessity in today’s fast-paced world. South Africa, with its growing population and increasing internet penetration, presents a promising market for internet café businesses. Whether you aim to provide a space for students, remote workers, or the general public, starting an internet café can be a rewarding venture. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to start an internet café in South Africa.

• Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to understand the demand and potential profitability of an internet café in your desired location. Consider factors such as population density, target audience, competitors, and local regulations. Identify the specific needs and preferences of your target customers to tailor your services accordingly.
• Business Plan: Create a detailed business plan outlining your vision, target market, pricing strategy, operational costs, marketing strategy, and financial projections. This plan will serve as a roadmap for your business and a crucial document when seeking funding from investors or financial institutions.
• Legal Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the legal requirements for establishing an internet café in South Africa. Register your business with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and obtain all necessary licenses and permits. Consult with local authorities to ensure compliance with zoning regulations, health and safety standards, and data protection laws.
• Location and Infrastructure: Choose a strategic location with high foot traffic, preferably in close proximity to educational institutions, business districts, or residential areas. Ensure the availability of reliable and high-speed internet connectivity to provide an optimal browsing experience for your customers. Invest in quality computers, peripherals, comfortable seating, and a welcoming ambiance to create a pleasant environment for your patrons.
• Services and Amenities: Apart from internet access, consider offering additional services to attract a wider customer base. This may include printing, scanning, photocopying, faxing, and document binding facilities. Provide a range of software applications, such as office productivity suites, graphic design tools, and gaming software, catering to the diverse needs of your customers.
• Pricing Strategy: Develop a competitive pricing strategy that reflects the local market conditions. Consider offering various pricing options, such as hourly rates, day passes, or monthly subscriptions, to accommodate different customer preferences. Additionally, consider loyalty programs or discounts for frequent customers to encourage repeat business.
• Marketing and Promotion: Implement a comprehensive marketing plan to create awareness and attract customers to your internet café. Utilize both online and offline channels, including social media, local advertising, partnerships with nearby businesses, and community engagement. Offer introductory promotions or special discounts to entice new customers and encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
• Customer Service and Support: Train your staff to deliver exceptional customer service and technical support. Ensure that they are knowledgeable about the services and equipment provided, capable of resolving common technical issues, and approachable to address any customer concerns. Create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that encourages customers to return and recommend your café to others.
• Security and Privacy: Implement robust security measures to protect your customers’ personal information and ensure a safe browsing experience. Install reliable antivirus software, firewalls, and content filtering systems to prevent cyber threats. Educate your customers about safe internet practices and establish clear guidelines regarding acceptable usage of your facilities.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess customer feedback, track business performance, and adapt your services to evolving market trends and customer preferences. Stay updated with the latest technological advancements to remain competitive in the industry. Maintain a proactive approach to constantly enhance your offerings and exceed customer expectations.

Starting an internet café in South Africa can be a lucrative business venture, given the increasing demand for internet access and related services. By conducting thorough market research, complying with legal requirements, providing excellent customer service, and staying adaptable to changing trends, you can establish a successful and profitable internet café. Remember, creating a welcoming environment and delivering a reliable and secure browsing experience will be key to attracting and retaining a loyal customer base.

Startup Mag

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Internet Cafe Business Plan

Start your own internet cafe business plan

JavaNet Internet Cafe

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">, opportunity.

The public wants: (1) access to the methods of communication and volumes of information now available on the Internet, and (2) access at a cost they can afford and in such a way that they aren’t socially, economically, or politically isolated.

JavaNet, unlike a typical cafe, will provide a unique forum for communication and entertainment through the medium of the Internet. JavaNet’s goal is to provide the community with a social, educational, entertaining, atmosphere for worldwide communication.

JavaNet intends to cater to people who want a guided tour on their first spin around the Internet and to experienced users eager to indulge their passion for computers in a social setting. Furthermore, JavaNet will be a magnet for local and traveling professionals who desire to work or check their email messages in a friendly atmosphere. These professionals will either use JavaNet’s PCs, or plug their notebooks into Internet connections. JavaNet’s target market covers a wide range of ages: from members of Generation X who grew up surrounded by computers, to Baby Boomers who have come to the realization that people today cannot afford to ignore computers.

Competition

The main competitors in the retail coffee segment are Cafe Paradisio, Full City, Coffee Corner and Allann Bros. These businesses are located in or near the downtown area, and target a similar segment to JavaNet’s (i.e. educated, upwardly-mobile students and business people).

JavaNet will follow a differentiation strategy to achieve a competitive advantage in the cafe market. By providing Internet service, JavaNet separates itself from all other cafes in Eugene. In addition, JavaNet provides a comfortable environment with coffee and bakery items, distinguishing itself from other Internet providers in Eugene.

Expectations

We plan on getting more than 500,000 sales in year 1 and nearly 1,000,000 sales in year 3. We will have earnings year 2 and year 3 

Financial Highlights by Year

Financing needed.

Our financing has already been secured as follows:

• $24,000 from the Oregon Economic Development Fund
• $19,000 of personal savings from owner Cale Bruckner
• $56,000 from three investors
• and $10,000 in the form of short-term loans

Problem & Solution

Problem worth solving, our solution.

 JavaNet will provide full access to email, WWW, FTP, Usenet and other Internet applications such as Telnet and Gopher. JavaNet will also provide customers with a unique and innovative environment for enjoying great coffee, specialty beverages, and bakery items.

JavaNet will appeal to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The instructional Internet classes, and the helpful staff that JavaNet provides, will appeal to the audience that does not associate themselves with the computer age. This educational aspect will attract younger and elderly members of the community who are rapidly gaining interest in the unique resources that online communications have to offer. The downtown location will provide business people with convenient access to their morning coffee and online needs.

Target Market

Market size & segments.

  Target Market Segment Strategy

Market Segmentation

JavaNet’s customers can be divided into two groups. The first group is familiar with the Internet and desires a progressive and inviting atmosphere where they can get out of their offices or bedrooms and enjoy a great cup of coffee. The second group is not familiar with the Internet, yet, and is just waiting for the right opportunity to enter the online community. JavaNet’s target market falls anywhere between the ages of 18 and 50. This extremely wide range of ages is due to the fact that both coffee and the Internet appeal to a variety of people. In addition to these two broad categories, JavaNet’s target market can be divided into more specific market segments. The majority of these individuals are students and business people. See the Market Analysis chart and table below for more specifics.

Current Alternatives

Competition from online service providers comes from locally-owned businesses as well as national firms. There are approximately eight, local, online service providers in Eugene. This number is expected to grow with the increasing demand for Internet access. Larger, online service providers, such as AOL and CompuServe are also a competitive threat to JavaNet. Due to the nature of the Internet, there are no geographical boundaries restricting competition.

Our Advantages

Our advantages are best explained as our strengths: 

Knowledgeable and friendly staff. We’ve gone to great lengths at JavaNet to find people with a passion for teaching and sharing their Internet experiences. Our staff is both knowledgeable and eager to please.

State-of-the art equipment. Part of the JavaNet experience includes access to state-of-the-art computer equipment. Our customers enjoy beautiful flat-screen displays, fast machines, and high-quality printers.

Upscale ambiance. When you walk into JavaNet, you’ll feel the technology. High backed mahogany booths with flat-screen monitors inset into the walls provide a cozy hideaway for meetings and small friendly gatherings. Large round tables with displays viewable from above provide a forum for larger gatherings and friendly "how-to" classes on the Internet. Aluminum track lighting and art from local artists sets the mood. Last, but not least, quality cappuccino machines and a glass pastry display case provide enticing refreshments.

Clear vision of the market need. JavaNet knows what it takes to build an upscale cyber cafe. We know the customers, we know the technology, and we know how to build the service that will bring the two together.

Keys to Success

The keys to the success for JavaNet are:

• The creation of a unique, innovative, upscale atmosphere that will differentiate JavaNet from other local coffee shops and future Internet cafes.
• The establishment of JavaNet as a community hub for socialization and entertainment. We want people to meet, have study groups, hit our place to and from work, think of us when they want breakfast and online news. We won’t be closed so we can be a haven. 
• The creation of an environment that won’t intimidate the novice user. JavaNet will position itself as an educational resource for individuals wishing to learn about the benefits the Internet has to offer. This will be measured by our chairs being full, customers using their email accounts and our staff answering questions. We want our community engaged and our sales and popularity will reflect we are able to make our customers comfortable. 
• Great coffee and bakery items. This will be indicated by customer reviews as well as inventory turnover. We need our inventory to turn over once a week or once every 2 weeks. 

Marketing & Sales

Marketing plan.

As a retail establishment, JavaNet employs people to handle sales transactions. Computer literacy is a requirement for JavaNet employees. If an employee does not possess basic computer skills when they are hired, they are trained by our full-time technician. Our full-time technician is also available for customers in need of assistance. JavaNet’s commitment to friendly, helpful service is one of the key factors that distinguishes JavaNet from other Internet cafes.

Locations & Facilities

A site has been chosen at 10th and Oak in downtown Eugene. This site was chosen for various reasons, including:

• Proximity to the downtown business community.
• Proximity to trendy, upscale restaurants such as West Brothers.
• Proximity to LTD’s Eugene Station. Parking availability.
• Low cost rent – $.85 per square foot for 1700 square feet.
• High visibility.

All of these qualities are consistent with JavaNet’s goal of providing a central hub of communication and socialization for the Eugene community.

JavaNet will invest in high-speed computers to provide its customers with a fast and efficient connection to the Internet. The computers will be reliable and fun to work with. JavaNet will continue to upgrade and modify the systems to stay current with communications technology. One of the main attractions associated with Internet cafes, is the state of the art equipment available for use. Not everyone has a Pentium PC in their home or office.

Milestones & Metrics

Milestones table.

Key Metrics

Our Key Metrics are: 

• Sales, gross margin, operating profit, profit, cash flow, of course. 
• Average sales per customer per month
• Monthly subscribers 
• Average time per customer session

Ownership & Structure

JavaNet is a privately held Oregon Limited Liability Corporation. Cale Bruckner, the founder of JavaNet, is the majority owner. Luke Walsh, Doug Wilson, and John Underwood, all hold minority stock positions as private investors.

Management Team

JavaNet is owned and operated by Mr. Cale Bruckner. The company, being small in nature, requires a simple organizational structure. Implementation of this organizational form calls for the owner, Mr. Bruckner, to make all of the major management decisions in addition to monitoring all other business activities.

Personnel Table

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

Key assumptions.

Our Key assumptions: 

1 – Certain members s of the community are intimidated by the internet. They want to use email and the internet but find it intimidating. They will use the internet if there is a place that comes with someone to explain it. 

2 – Students need a place to have study groups and use the internet. There are many students at the u of o, there are a shortage of resources. 

3 – Certain members of the community cannot afford to own their own computer or wifi. We are happy to let them use our place for a small fee they can afford. 

Revenue by Month

Expenses by month, net profit (or loss) by year, use of funds.

Our list of startup expenses are $56,000 dollars, as follows: 

• 11 computers = $22,000
• two printers = $1,000
• one scanner = $500
• software = $810
• one espresso machine = $10,700
• one automatic espresso grinder = $795
• two coffee/food preparation counters = $1,000
• one information display counter = $1,000
• one drinking/eating counter = $500
• sixteen stools = $1,600
• six computer desks w/chairs = $2,400
• stationery goods = $500
• two telephones = $200
• decoration expense = $13,000

Sources of Funds

This business plan is prepared to obtain financing in the amount of $24,000. The supplemental financing is required to begin work on site preparation and modifications, equipment purchases, and to cover expenses in the first year of operations.

Additional financing has already been secured as follows:

• $66,000 from three investors

Projected Profit & Loss

Projected Balance Sheet

Projected Cash Flow Statement

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How Much Does It Cost To Start An Internet Cafe In South Africa?

Starting an internet cafe in South Africa can be quite simple and cheap to get off the ground. There are great opportunities for entrepreneurs to start an internet cafe in South Africa at a low startup cost with the potential to bring in a regular income.

To start a small internet cafe in South Africa, equipped with 5 computers, will require an investment of between R68,000 – R135,000. An internet cafe with 15-20 computers will cost between R406,000 – R676,000 to start. This includes the computers, internet service providers and internet cafe software.

I’ve personally used internet cafes to keep in touch with loved ones while travelling, and locally for their services like printing or scanning. With more people working from home, there is a demand for office services that an internet cafe can provide for.

Let’s dig into what it costs and what it takes to get an internet cafe up and running in South Africa…

How to Calculate The Cost Of Starting An Internet Cafe In South Africa?

The cost of starting an internet cafe in South Africa will depend on the number of computers and services you plan to offer to your customers.

The basic business model of an internet cafe is that clients are buying time to use your computer and internet services. Therefore an internet cafe needs to provide higher spec computers and internet connection than a regular home set up.

It will only be necessary to purchase equipment that’s in line with your business plan and service offering. 

The equipment you need to set up your internet cafe business in South Africa includes:

• Client computers
• A server computer that manages the client computers
• Internet cafe software 
• Internet service provider 
• Networking hardware

If you plan on offering additional services such as food and drinks, then factor in the cost of setting up a kitchen on premises. It is important to note that if you are serving food, you may also need a licence from the local municipality to allow you to prepare and serve food. This will come at an additional cost.

What Computers Do You Need To Start An Internet Cafe And How Much Do They Cost?

Computers in internet cafes are used all day, every day. So you will need fast and powerful desktop machines that can withstand daily use.

The good news is that you don’t need to break the bank to start your internet cafe business in South Africa. Instead of buying brand new computers, I would suggest you invest in high quality refurbished computers that function like brand new computers but come at second-hand prices.

You can save even more money by purchasing refurbished computer bundles. You can like QStore . Below is a table of refurbished computer console and monitor bundles that you can buy to start your internet cafe business in South Africa:

Computer software is just as important as the hardware that you use. As a free alternative to the Mac OS or Microsoft Windows, use Linux and utilize the OpenOffice.org suite as a free alternative to the Microsoft Office suite.

Reduce maintenance costs and software corruption by installing a firewall on your routers to protect your servers from worms, viruses and attacks. Also ensure that each computer has antivirus software installed to avoid viruses that may be brought in by clients downloaded files, external drives or CDs.

What Is Internet Cafe Software And How Much Does It Cost?

Internet cafe software allows you to easily manage your business from the server computer. This means that you’ll be able to control all the client computers, manage client accounts, set up security permissions, manage your prepaid or postpaid payment structures and get up to date reports.

You’ll want to protect and monitor the usage of your client computers so that no one uses your services for free. Internet cafe software protects your client computers with a log-in page. Protected computers can only be opened from the server computer or when a client has opened a prepaid account. 

The client computer will be automatically protected again with the login page when the client’s prepaid time expires or when they finish their session. 

There are paid and free internet cafe management programs available on the market with varying capabilities. The table below compares the features of the three top programs to get you started. 

Your choice of internet cafe software will depend on how many computers you have, how you offer your services and the type of operating system in use. Most internet cafe programs are outdated and are not compatible with Windows 10. If you want your internet cafe to thrive well into the future, choose programs that are updated regularly and that will facilitate expanding your business more easily.

How To Make Your Internet Cafe Successful in South Africa

Any entrepreneur will tell you that there is no guarantee to starting a successful and profitable business. When starting and growing your internet cafe business it is helpful to identify your unique selling points that will attract clients and keep them. 

One way to do this is by offering discounted prices for additional prepaid time. For example, you could sell 4-hour tickets with a 10% discount and 5-hour tickets with a 20% discount. This will not only keep your regular clients coming back, but you’ll also attract new clients.

Some people visit internet cafes because they don’t have access to certain electronic privileges at home. This is an opportunity for you to offer and charge for additional services such as printing or scanning. 

Attract a younger demographic and broaden your target market. Esports and multiplayer online games have become incredibly popular in recent years.

Viewership for esports is forecasted to grow at a 9% compound annual growth rate . It’s more entertaining to participate in multiplayer games or watch esports with friends in the same location. So why not allow multiplayer games and allow your customers to visit your internet cafe in groups?

Remember that the type of services that you offer will determine the equipment that you will need. Gaming requires higher internet speeds and more robust graphic cards to deliver satisfactory client experiences. Keep this in mind when developing your business plan.

The Pros And Cons Of Starting An Internet Cafe In South Africa

It’s always valuable to understand the advantages and disadvantages of any business idea. We’ve compiled a quick list of what this could look like for an internet cafe in South Africa.

• Low capital investment. The main costs for starting an internet cafe are the computer hardware and software. A startup budget from R68,000 – R135,000 for a small internet cafe is relatively modest compared to other types of businesses. 
• Competition is low. Many people have computers and internet access at home so there are fewer internet cafes around than there were a couple of years ago. Today the opportunity lies in providing a community atmosphere that alleviates the high mobile data rates that South Africans are subject to. The growing popularity of online gaming and esports opens a door to a new customer base that did not previously exist.
• Expand the business with related services. Internet cafes are mainly a source for clients to use the internet and computer services. However, it would be simple and beneficial to you to expand the business with related services that appeal to the modern client base. Additional services might include printing services, food and beverage, esport tournaments, or private working spaces.
• Scaling the business is challenging. There are limited options as to how big you can scale an internet cafe business. You can either open and sell franchises or open a network of internet cafes around a city or community. Multiple successful internet cafe businesses can be established yet they will always remain at the same level with similar service offerings.
• Constantly update and replace equipment. Clients visit internet cafes for fast and powerful computers. The constant use of computers means that their wear and tear happens quickly. Computers require regular maintenance, constant cleaning and every 2-4 years equipment will need to be replaced. Additionally, software programs will also need to be regularly updated to meet the needs of clients.

Of course, this list might look different for each business depending on the specific market and your entrepreneurial experience. The same is true for the costs of starting an internet cafe in South Africa. Your service offerings will determine the type of equipment necessary while the needs of your target market and location will influence the profitability of your internet cafe.

Brad Nadauld

Brad is a full-stack digital marketer with a serious podcasting & Youtube addiction. Over the last 10 years, he has personally created numerous websites, podcasts & online courses. He's worked with large multi-national corporations, built several online businesses and consulted to a number of clients to help them grow their reach, impact and most importantly their income online.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1.  Executive Summary                                         3

2.  Business Profile                                               4

3.  The People                                                       4

4.   S.W.O.T. Analysis                                          7

5.   Products/Services                                            8

6.   Market Analysis                                            10

7.   Marketing Strategy                                        12

8.   Legal                                                             13

9.   Financial Plan                                               14

10. Organisational Management                          16

11. Insurance                                                             16

12. Growth & Exit Strategy                                 17

13. Appendices                                                   17

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Free Internet Cafe Business Plan PDF | Cyber Cafe Business Plan

How to Start an Internet Cafe Business - Internet Cafe Business Plan PDF

Are you considering starting a Internet Cafe Business and are in need of an Internet Cafe Business Plan? if yes, you'll find this free book to be extremely helpful.

This is a practical guide that will walk you step by step through all the essentials of starting your business. The book is packed with guides, worksheets and checklists. These strategies are absolutely crucial to your business' success yet are simple and easy to apply.

Don’t Start a New Internet Cafe Business Unless You Watch This Video First!

Checklist for Starting a Business: Essential Ingredients for Success

If you are thinking about going into business, it is imperative that you watch this video first! it will take you by the hand and walk you through each and every phase of starting a business. It features all the essential aspects you must consider BEFORE you start a business. This will allow you to predict problems before they happen and keep you from losing your shirt on dog business ideas. Ignore it at your own peril!

Here’s a Valuable Free Gift for You This is a high quality, full blown business plan template complete with detailed instructions and all related spreadsheets. You can download it to your PC and easily prepare a professional business plan for your business. Click Here! To get your free business plan template

The Single Most Important Ingredient for Business Success

The first and most important thing you need to acquire in order to succeed in a small business is... knowledge.

Sounds exaggerated? Listen to this...

According to research conducted by Dun & Bradstreet, 90% of all small business failures can be traced to poor management resulting from lack of knowledge.

This is backed up by my own personal observations. In my 31 years as a business coach and consultant to small businesses, I've seen practically dozens of small business owners go under and lose their businesses -- not because they weren't talented or smart enough -- but because they were trying to re-invent the wheel rather than rely on proven, tested methods that work.

Conclusion: if you are really serious about succeeding in a business... If you want to avoid the common traps and mistakes... it is absolutely imperative that you acquire the right knowledge.

"Why Invent Mediocrity, When You Can Copy Genius?"

That's an excellent quote I picked up from a fellow business owner a few years back. What this means is that you should see what is working and try to duplicate it. Why go through all the trouble of inventing something new, that you don't even know will ever work, when you can easily learn from and duplicate something that has been a proven success?

[ Note: One of the BIGGEST mistakes almost all new businesses make is that they WASTE tons of valuable time, energy and money on trying to create something "new", that has never been tested or proven... only to find out later that it was a total loss. Don't make the same mistake! ]

Hi! My name is Meir. I'm the founder and president of BizMove.com, a successful Internet Cafe based information business. I'm also the author of numerous books, mostly in the area of small business management.

I've been involved in small business for the past 31 years of my life, as a business coach, manager of a Internet Cafe firm, a seminar leader and as the owner of five successful businesses.

During my career as a business coach and consultant I've helped dozens of business owners start their businesses, market, expand, get out of troubles, sell their businesses and do practically every other small business activity you can think of. You see, I have been there .... done it ... and bought the Small Business t-shirt! -- This free book contains techniques and strategies I've learned during my 31 year small business career.

Here's what you'll discover in the 'How to Start a Internet Cafe Business' book:

Success Tip: Setting Goals

Good management is the key to success and good management starts with setting goals. Set goals for yourself for the accomplishment of the many tasks necessary in starting and managing your business successfully. Be specific. Write down the goals in measurable terms of performance. Break major goals down into sub-goals, showing what you expect to achieve in the next two to three months, the next six months, the next year, and the next five years. Beside each goal and sub-goal place a specific date showing when it is to be achieved.

Plan the action you must take to attain the goals. While the effort required to reach each sub-goal should be great enough to challenge you, it should not be so great or unreasonable as to discourage you. Do not plan to reach too many goals all at one time.

Establish priorities. Plan in advance how to measure results so you can know exactly how well you are doing. This is what is meant by "measurable" goals. If you can’t keep score as you go along you are likely to lose motivation. Re-work your plan of action to allow for obstacles which may stand in your way. Try to foresee obstacles and plan ways to avert or minimize them.

Click here! to download your Internet Cafe Business book for free (PDF version)

Management Skills Video: How to Become a Great Manager and Leader

Learn how to improve your leadership skills and become a better manager and leader. Here's how to be the boss people want to give 200 percent for. In the following video you'll discover 120 powerful tips and strategies to motivate and inspire your people to bring out the best in them.

For more insightful videos visit our Small Business and Management Skills YouTube Chanel .

Here're other free books in the "how to start a business" series that may interest you:

Here's a Sample 'Executive Summary' for a Internet Cafe Business plan :

[BUSINESS NAME], unlike a typical cafe, will provide a unique forum for communication and entertainment through the medium of the Internet. [BUSINESS NAME]  is the answer to an increasing demand. The public wants: (1) access to the methods of communication and volumes of information now available on the Internet, and (2) access at a cost they can afford and in such a way that they aren't socially, economically, or politically isolated. [BUSINESS NAME] 's goal is to provide the community with a social, educational, entertaining, atmosphere for worldwide communication. This business plan is prepared to obtain financing in the amount of $24,000. The supplemental financing is required to begin work on site preparation and modifications, equipment purchases, and to cover expenses in the first year of operations. Additional financing has already been secured in the form of: (1) $24,000 from the Sun Economic Development Fund (2) $19,000 of personal savings from owner Cale Bruckner  (3) $36,000 from three investors (4) and $9,290 in the form of short-term loans. [BUSINESS NAME]  will be incorporated as an LLC corporation. This will shield the owner Cale Bruckner, and the three outside investors,Luke Walsh, Doug Wilson, and John Underwood, from issues of personal liability and double taxation. The investors will be treated as shareholders and therefore will not be liable for more than their individual personal investment of $12,000 each. The financing, in addition to the capital contributions from the owner, shareholders and the Sun Economic Development Fund, will allow [BUSINESS NAME]  to successfully open and maintain operations through year one. The large initial capital investment will allow [BUSINESS NAME]  to provide its customers with a full featured Internet cafe. A unique, upscale, and innovative environment is required to provide the customers with an atmosphere that will spawn socialization. Successful operation in year one will provide [BUSINESS NAME]  with a customer base that will allow it to be self sufficient in year two.

1.1 Objectives [BUSINESS NAME]'s objectives for the first three years of operation include:

• The creation of a unique, upscale, innovative environment that will differentiate [BUSINESS NAME] from local coffee houses.
• Educating the community on what the Internet has to offer.
• The formation of an environment that will bring people with diverse interests and backgrounds together in a common forum.
• Good coffee and bakery items at a reasonable price.
• Affordable access to the resources of the Internet and other online services.

1.2 Keys to Success The keys to the success for [BUSINESS NAME] are:

• The creation of a unique, innovative, upscale atmosphere that will differentiate [BUSINESS NAME] from other local coffee shops and future Internet cafes.
• The establishment of [BUSINESS NAME] as a community hub for socialization and entertainment.
• The creation of an environment that won't intimidate the novice user. [BUSINESS NAME] will position itself as an educational resource for individuals wishing to learn about the benefits the Internet has to offer.
• Great coffee and bakery items.

1.3 Mission As the popularity of the Internet continues to grow at an exponential rate, easy and affordable access is quickly becoming a necessity of life. [BUSINESS NAME] provides communities with the ability to access the Internet, enjoy a cup of coffee, and share Internet experiences in a comfortable environment. People of all ages and backgrounds will come to enjoy the unique, upscale, educational, and innovative environment that [BUSINESS NAME] provides. 1.4 Risks The risks involved with starting [BUSINESS NAME] are:

• Will there be a demand for the services offered by [BUSINESS NAME] in Eugene?
• Will the popularity of the Internet continue to grow, or is the Internet a fad?
• Will individuals be willing to pay for the service [BUSINESS NAME] offers?
• Will the cost of accessing the Internet from home drop so significantly that there will not be a market for Internet Cafes such as [BUSINESS NAME]?

Company Summary [BUSINESS NAME], soon to be located in downtown Eugene on 10th and Oak, will offer the community easy and affordable access to the Internet. [BUSINESS NAME] will provide full access to email, WWW, FTP, Usenet and other Internet applications such as Telnet and Gopher. [BUSINESS NAME] will also provide customers with a unique and innovative environment for enjoying great coffee, specialty beverages, and bakery items. [BUSINESS NAME] will appeal to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The instructional Internet classes, and the helpful staff that [BUSINESS NAME] provides, will appeal to the audience that does not associate themselves with the computer age. This educational aspect will attract younger and elderly members of the community who are rapidly gaining interest in the unique resources that online communications have to offer. The downtown location will provide business people with convenient access to their morning coffee and online needs. 2.1 Company Ownership [BUSINESS NAME] is a privately held Oregon Limited Liability Corporation. Cale Bruckner, the founder of [BUSINESS NAME], is the majority owner. Luke Walsh, Doug Wilson, and John Underwood, all hold minority stock positions as private investors. 2.2 Start-up Summary [BUSINESS NAME]'s start-up costs will cover coffee making equipment, site renovation and modification, capital to cover losses in the first year, and the communications equipment necessary to get its customers online. The communications equipment necessary to provide [BUSINESS NAME]'s customers with a high-speed connection to the Internet and the services it has to offer make up a large portion of the start-up costs. These costs will include the computer terminals and all costs associated with their set-up. Costs will also be designated for the purchase of two laser printers and a scanner. In addition, costs will be allocated for the purchase of coffee making equipment. One espresso machine, an automatic coffee grinder, and minor additional equipment will be purchased from Allann Brothers. The site at 10th and Oak will require funds for renovation and modification. A single estimated figure will be allocated for this purpose. The renovation/modification cost estimate will include the costs associated with preparing the site for opening business. Start-up Expense Details:

• 11 computers = $22,000
• two printers = $1,000
• one scanner = $500
• software = $810
• one espresso machine = $10,700
• one automatic espresso grinder = $795
• other fixtures and remodeling:
• two coffee/food preparation counters = $1,000
• one information display counter = $1,000
• one drinking/eating counter = $500
• sixteen stools = $1,600
• six computer desks w/chairs = $2,400
• stationery goods = $500
• two telephones = $200
• decoration expense = $13,000

2.3 Company Locations and Facilities A site has been chosen at 10th and Oak in downtown Eugene. This site was chosen for various reasons, including:

• Proximity to the downtown business community.
• Proximity to trendy, upscale restaurants such as West Brothers.
• Proximity to LTD's Eugene Station. Parking availability.
• Low cost rent - $.85 per square foot for 1700 square feet.
• High visibility.

All of these qualities are consistent with [BUSINESS NAME]'s goal of providing a central hub of communication and socialization for the Eugene community Services [BUSINESS NAME] will provide full access to email, WWW, FTP, Usenet and other Internet applications such as Telnet and Gopher. Printing, scanning, and introductory courses to the Internet will also be available to the customer. [BUSINESS NAME] will also provide customers with a unique and innovative environment for enjoying great coffee, specialty beverages, and bakery items.

Creative Public Relations Technique

Businesses sometimes fail because their owners fail to use creative tools and techniques to get the added exposure they need. The following ideas are geared toward the smaller business, but would work for larger businesses as well. Some of the concepts are simple, and they have also proven to be effective over time with millions of small and large businesses.

1. Put your business and your name in highly visible places, no matter how unusual.

We all see billboards, Yellow Pages ads, and ads on the place mats at pancake houses and local restaurants. Try putting your business name and or logo on bus stop benches; ballpark walls; city buses; pens people sign charge card slips with at your business (often they take the pen anyway...might as well have your advertising on it!); T-shirts you, your friends, and clients and relatives wear(not unlike "Coach wear"); symphony, auto show, or concert program "inside ads;" plastic cups or mugs you use for your guests/clients in your office, etc. Keep the ads neat and the message clear. People DO remember names from events and places they go where they have personal or special interests.

2. Join or volunteer time to a few good local business organizations.

This can be the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Variety Club, United Way, small business clubs, breakfast clubs, business associations, your neighborhood business groups; anything that will expose you and your face and name and services to others who might need it, know someone who needs it, or even be your competitor. Knowing your competitors, what the *successful* ones are doing, and where THEY "mingle," can help you strategize where you might get some exposure of your OWN! If you can see what your competitors' strengths are, chances are you can also see where they have *weak* areas. If you can, use YOUR business and your expertise to fill in where they are weak.

3. Speak or write publicly about your profession or your business.

This sounds self-serving. Of course it is! The KEY is to make it very subtle! Media folks will accept a story if they see it is interesting and about something where there is an "angle" that would appeal to many people. They will NOT be drawn to interview you or publish an article strictly on *your* business! Famous authors do not travel the country signing books in small town book stores to learn U.S. geography! Any good, honest exposure you can get through an article in a trade journal, one of the clubs you have joined, or a charity function, puts your face, your name, and your business name, its services & *results*, in front of the public. If you dislike public speaking, write an article for a business magazine related to your specialty or the service or products you sell. Most of those trade publications are looking for contributors with knowledge who will write for free or little money, to fill space and keep their readers interested. It's FAR better than having an ad in the same magazine! It gives you ten times the credibility to WRITE for a magazine than to have an ad in one! Make sure your name and all other pertinent short author "bio" copy is current and accurate. The "pen is often mightier than the ad."

4. Get with the times and get "online!"

Sure there are millions of people competing with one another on the Internet! Turn it around and know that there are *many* times the same number of consumers, looking for the best deal, the best service for the money, and the most qualified person to meet their needs. Here you can spend next to nothing or you can spend a lot. Learning how other people in your business use the "Web" will give you ideas as to where you might "beef up" your services, the quality of your goods, and the way you present your business and yourself as the owner to the public, who can either help your business sustain itself and grow, or not. See what other similar businesses do *not* offer that you could or do and play on that. The information is right before you. You have but to learn to access it and then the world and all of the world's businesses are in front of you!

5. Sponsor or be a co-sponsor for a local charity event.

Pick an event that is well-attended, and also one in which you might already have some interest. Taking the time off to man the telethon phones, attend a dinner or party or play or gaming event for a charitable function serves you in several ways. The two most important are that you are doing something for the benefit of others, which helps you spiritually and will give you a good feeling, and it gives you and your business some public exposure within a very positive and a very humanistic environment.

6. Get involved with civic groups and committees.

Pick your interest or one that you feel would be of interest to potential clients or current customers of yours: school boards, hospitals, libraries, art centers/museums, zoning committees, city council, neighborhood improvement, PTA, Boy Scouts, church groups, etc. Depending on the size of your city, you will have more or less choice. If your town is very small, get involved with something in the closest large town from your home. The more people you know and meet, the more people will know about you and "what you do" and what you have to offer. Simple truth.

7. Voice your opinion in print.

This "attention getter" has pros and cons. If you send a letter to the editor or write an article for your local paper's "editorial page," you are sure to have people who agree with you and will possibly give you some business or mention your name, as well as people who disagree with you BIG time and who you might even LOSE as a customer. If you write about something that is lighthearted, not related to religion or politics, and something you feel certain most of the people you really would want or already have as clients or customers would enjoy or be "neutral" on, you're safe. Again your name and maybe your business (many people use their business address in letters to the editor to keep their private address private) will be where many people from town and out of town might see it. Careful thought on the right topic, well phrased, can affect many people in a positive way for you.

8. Advertise or offer to give your clientele more than your competitors are giving.

Reason number one why to check out what your competition offers, gives, sells, and is all about with their business! It sometimes takes only a few cents less, better value for the money, extra courteous service, or other services or options, to make a client or customer choose you over one of your competitors...including the much larger ones! Develop or hone some skill or special "extra" you can offer people if they use your firm or buy from your company. Advertise that special extra! Small but thoughtful or useful gifts or services can actually make a difference in the kind of highly competitive marketplace of the late 20th century. This will be even more important in the 21st century. Know your strengths and play them up. Know your competition's weaknesses or things they simply cannot or do not give and find a way to fill some or all of those weak areas and voids yourself! Provide the best and most comprehensive and professional services or merchandise for the best prices, delivered in the best manner, on time, and you will be ahead of all but the very TOP people in your field. Much of what you can do will cost nothing but an investment in time and some extra "personalized" effort.

9. Send out a newsletter to clients and potential clients.

Simple newsletters can be done at home or office and copies can be made and sent out to mailing lists of your current clients/customers and other mailing groups. Don't make the mistake of filling the newsletter with ads and specials like everyone has in newspaper inserts! Write about what your business offers, what you do and how you do it, your staff, *special features or skills your business or firm has to offer*. Give the reader free hints, advice, etc. Let them see you are knowledgeable, friendly and not just out to send them junk mail filled with coupons or ads for products or services you are selling. They will be pleasantly surprised and they will remember you and your business if you do things with thought and good intentions. It's also a form of advertising, so it is a legitimate business tax deduction for most people.

10. Give free workshops or seminars to draw your special interest "target group."

If applicable and possible, decide on a topic or an aspect of your business, product line or knowledge gained from your business or the skills you sell. Advertise a workshop or seminar open to the public at your store or other appropriate place. (If demonstrating a skill, you may need to be in a place where you have the equipment to do so and where people in attendance can all see you doing it.) It can be all day long or last 1-4 hours, depending on your topic and your business. Again, the point is to offer some free, useful, interesting value and information to people who are used to paying you or your competitors for it! You need not tell them all you know so they would never need you again! Just give them enough to let them see that you know your business and are personable. You'll be surprised how many people will walk in the door or call you the week following a free weekend seminar or talk! Cost to you? Nothing but time, unless you pay to rent a room for your seminar or speech. If it is well publicized, and on a topic that you know, you will bring out the crowds; it will pay for itself with one or a few new clients or customers within a short time.

Copyright © by Bizmove Free Business Guides. All rights reserved.

internet cafe business plan in south africa

We have attached an example internet cafe business plan, that will help you not to overlook any important information when writing a business plan. While it’s not essential to have a business plan, it will make it easier to get funding. in general a business plan will help your Potential business partners to know how their investment will be used.

Good luck ! Please not this is just an example, to help you draft your own business plan.

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Types of business insurance in south africa

From the day an entrepreneur starts a business, he exposes himself to certain risks. Even before the first employee is hired, a business is at risk, making it important to have the right insurance in place.