The Future of the Internet Cafe

[tezdread]

Hey,

Do you think there is a future for independent local Internet Cafe's?

If not why not?

I have an idea that I would like to explore and hopefully develop into more than just an idea, it's called the 'Technology Lounge'

It is in essence an Internet Cafe at least that would be the main business model but it would be more than just somewhere to get a coffee and check your email, if of course that is what the public wanted.

Some thoughts I've had on what would be on offer include the following

• Wired PC's for Surfing, Gaming and Training
• Full Wireless Access
• Day and/or evening training courses in a dedicated training Room
• A Games area: 8 - 10 PC's running at least 5 Top Games of the month
• Music - maybe something like spotify where people can submit their own playlists to be played
• Tea, Coffee, Soft drinks, Sandwiches and cakes (No cooking)
• Charge Points to recharge phones etc

What I intend to do is research it and I guess this is my first step. I'm going to setup a blog and add all my findings to it. Hopefully it'll grow and others will add to it and from all the research, I hope to develop a business plan that could be used by anyone wanting to setup something like this.

Would like to know your thoughts...

[Minuteman Press]

Undecided. Conventional Internet cafes are doomed - with the exception of locations with lots of travel - e.g. areas in capital cities. It's all about the product differentiation and the potential to generate enough revenue.

Increased access to cheaper technology / WIFI is a threat but also clearly a big opportunity.

Sounds like you've got some well thought out value added ideas.

[tezdread]

Undecided. Conventional Internet cafes are doomed - with the exception of locations with lots of travel - e.g. areas in capital cities. It's all about the product differentiation and the potential to generate enough revenue.

Increased access to cheaper technology / WIFI is a threat but also clearly a big opportunity.

Sounds like you've got some well thought out value added ideas.

Hey Minuteman, thanks for your reply.

What would get you to frequent a net-cafe other than coffee and friends?

[Boss Hog]

Hey Minuteman, thanks for your reply.

What would get you to frequent a net-cafe other than coffee and friends?

Knowing Peter quite well....Poledancers

[garlex]

Knowing Peter quite well....Poledancers

Fraught with danger I think, seems to me the idea in principal is great but in practice lots of outlay and potentially liitle patronisation. Most libraries give you some access these days and their services are increasing and thats for the diminishing number of people not already with on-line access.

I think you'll need to create an atmosphere where people will want to come but not just for internet access. The only time I use one is when I'm away from home.

Naturally, I wish you well but think it through and do some market research.

[Minuteman Press]

In regard to Boss Hogg's reply - I can think of nothing further to add.

[tezdread]

Fraught with danger I think, seems to me the idea in principal is great but in practice lots of outlay and potentially liitle patronisation. Most libraries give you some access these days and their services are increasing and thats for the diminishing number of people not already with on-line access.

I think you'll need to create an atmosphere where people will want to come but not just for internet access. The only time I use one is when I'm away from home.

Naturally, I wish you well but think it through and do some market research.

Hey garlex, I have to agree that it is a tricky and costly business to enter into and would be difficult to do successfully and turn a comfortable profit and the truth is, this may never become more than a research project carried out in spare time intermittently, but something I'm keen to pursue.

Libraries are one public place offering internet, also big coffee chains like Starbucks, Costa etc and smaller ones offering WiFi access only. Where I live there are one or two very small drop-in places (in addition to the above) that have a few low spec'd PC's for easy access and that's about it.

What other places offer a similar service?

You've got it spot on about creating an atmosphere where people want to go and the big question is: Is there anything that could be offered to make people want to go? Apart from pole dancers :) although I've got no objection to pole dancers.

Does your town\city have a culture\community that goes out to socialise without alcohol or dinner?

Location (as so often) would be absolutely essential. I'm in the wrong city...more and more local pubs are closing, the city centre is pretty much dead all week apart from a few places and they are chain pubs, clubs and restaurants and I wonder if this is becoming the norm all over?

Cheers

[GTrekMedia Limited]

I think they will die out like any other thing. Easy Internet Cafe here in the UK is still on windows 98 and IE6. If they are to go on they need to change and update there systems.