Comprehensive Analysis: The Money on Internet Cafe Business Having an Internet Cafe is fun and exciting... OdavOnLine Research Cafe Branch in Sampaloc, Manila It's Saturday and I have nothing to do now, so I'd to share with you my experience of having an internet cafe business with branches in Manila and in other provinces. However, due to other circumstances and my family's decision, I decided to end its operation. However, I believe it's worth sharing with those who are interested in venturing into this business. Actually, if I ask my colleagues (engineers), friends, and construction and factory workers who are working overseas regarding their preferred business when they’ll have enough capital; most of them see that an Internet Café Business will still boom even though it is widely spread in the towns/cities already or even with the advancement of mobile/wifis due to gaming (or group gaming). In fact, some of them were planning to establish this business in their respective provinces. So, let me begin my share then... According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, an internet café or cybercafé is a place where one can use a computer with Internet access, most for a fee, usually per hour or minute; sometimes one can have unmetered access with a pass for a day or month, etc. It may serve as a regular café as well, with food and drinks being served. Some definition states that it is a high-tech equivalent of a coffee house. Here's my simple feasibility (based on my research at that time and experience) Customers a.) High school students (Elementary Pupils)~ 30% b.) College students ~ 55% c.) Others (Employees, Relatives of OFW, etc.) ~ 15% Location A. Near High Schools Pros: Except that they’ll have their assignments or projects to research with, most middle schools prefer to play games. Cons: “Gaming” services near schools are prohibited! Consider local ordinances and parents’ complaints if their high/grade schooler has been addicted to it which will trigger parents to seek help from local authorities and hereunder will borne local ordinances if currently do not exists. Low sales during Saturdays and Sundays and when there will be a bit longer vacation. B. Near Colleges Pros: Most college students maximize rentals for both research and gaming. Loose ordinances because college students are more mature to balance or control their urges; they must do their research work. Incorporation of extra services such as printing, research, encoding, webcams, cards, tutorials, etc. (this is of minimal earning for high schoolers) Cons: Low sales during semestral breaks. C. Residential/Office Area (Employees/OFW relatives): Pros: You can set a higher rental fee; however, you need to compete with existing giants on internet café. Cons: You can only put up within business (commercial) capital cities. However, employees have their own connections in their offices already as well as in their respective houses. Basic Start-up Requirement: a) Location and shop b) Computer units c) Computer table d) Network Important Tips: 1) Install Time Tracker (Automatic Shutdown) ~ this cybercafé administration software is required to manage and monitor its daily operation including security on cashier’s access &/or account-related issues price setting, etc. 2) Install Antivirus, Spyware, Adware ~ this is to protect your units from customers’ downloads for the unit to be rebooted when the virus has been downloaded. 3) Re-boot PC every use 4) Isolate internet surfing from the gaming area if required necessary to avoid noisy gamers. 5) Turn off PC units when not used. 6) Comply with government formalities such as SSS, Tax, Permits, etc. 7) Think of other items or products that you can generate more income from your shop. 8) Precaution: Need enough funds to pay bills during non-sales or low sales. Is it profitable even these days? Based on the figurative data below, Yes! It’s profitable… & can be more profitable depending on other services that you can add such as Printing, Photocopying, Graphics/Web Designing, Snacks, Etc. More Practical Views on Internet Café Business: An Open Proposal of Internet Café Business which shows the comprehensive coverage and components of the business. I received this proposal from an internet café business owner, you may learn from here the basic coverage, components, and rough prices of putting up an internet café business in the Philippines. Here’s the content of the email (unedited version): Dear Sir, In reference to your interest in putting up an internet café business in your hometown and request to formalize my offer of business to you, I hereby state the business package I am offering to you: Server: 1set – P4, 2.24GHz, 768MB RAM, GF4 w/ TV out, 120GB HDD, Pinnacle AV/DV, DVD Writer, FDD Client: 11sets - P4, 2.24/1.8GHz, 512-256MB, GF2, 40GB HDD, FDD 2sets - Sempron, 2.4GHz, 512MB, 40GB, FDD Note: Above PCs are complete with 17” Colored Monitor, Optical Mouse, Keyboard and AVR. Others: 1unit CD Writer 2units CD-Rom 14units 17” Monitor 1unit Un-interrupted Power Supply 1unit 80GB HDD 7pcs Windows XP license 2units Printer with card reader 1unit Scanner 1unit Sony video camera w/ 6pcs tapes, tripod 1unit Sony VHS 1unit Digital camera 7pcs Web cam 2units Speaker 2.1channel w/ subwoofer (from Malaysia) 1lot Multi media speaker 1lot Headset w/ microphone 1unit PC microphone 2units Filter screen 1lot Keyboard 1lot Mouse w/ pad 2pcs Destroyer joystick 1unit DSL Router w/ 4 port 1unit 16 port hub 2units Modem 56k 2units LAN card 1unit Laminating machine w/ laminating plastic ID 1unit Paper cutter #12 1unit CD labeler w/ marker pen 1lot Special paper and envelopes for wedding, b-day, etc. 1lot Copy paper 1unit 2.5hp Aircon 1inut Industrial stand fan 2unit Wall fan 1unit Stand fan 13pcs Bigbox monoblock chairs 6pcs Cofta stool chairs 1lot PC table 1unit Cofta sofa 1unit Billboard 3x6 1unit Panaflex 2x3 w/ lights 1unit Merchandiser coated iron 1unit Fire extinguisher 1lot Cables w/ RJ45, crimping tools, refill printer ink 1lot Door bell, door knob, lock 1lot New CD, CDRW, DVD, cards (for sale) Besides, it has fire insurance, mayor’s permit, BIR and receipt. Two months deposit on rent of establishment. Above all of these my offer to sell is Php400, 000.00 [USD 8,000] (negotiable). If you have any question please don’t hesitate to email me. Thank you and God Bless You always. The basic set-up price package offers Internet Café from Private Entities (This data does not show advertisements or contacts of these private entities, but simply gives you figurative views and comparisons on their respective price offers which will guide your financial allotment system.) SELLER 1: PHP 160,000.00 [USD 3,200] PC = 11, SERVER = included ROUTER/HUB = included OTHER NOTES: 17” Flat Monitor SELLER 2: PHP 70,000.00 [USD 1,400] PC = 5units ROUTER/HUB = included OTHER NOTES: Orig Win XP PHP 150,000.00 [USD 3,000] PC = 10units ROUTER/HUB = included OTHER NOTES: Orig Win XP SELLER 3: PHP 98,000.00 [USD 1,960] PC = 7units Table/Chair = included Games = included Printer = included Set-up = included OTHER NOTES: Pentium 2.4GHz, 512MB, 17"monitor SELLER 4: PHP 220,000.00 [USD 4,400] PC = 13units SERVER = included A/C units = included OTHER NOTES: complete set SELLER 5: PHP 250,000.00 [USD 5,000] PC = 15units Table/Chair = included A/C units = included OTHER NOTES: Pentium IV SELLER 6: PHP 98,000.00 [USD 1,960] PC = 8units OTHER NOTES: P-IV 1.8Ghz dual core, 1.0GB DDR, 80GB, complete set SELLER 7: PHP 180,000.00 [USD 3,600] PC = 11units SERVER = included Table/Chair = included Webcam /Headset = included OTHER NOTES: none SELLER 8: PHP 35,000.00 [USD 700] PC = 5units Switch/Hub= included Lan Cables = included Webcam /Headset = included OTHER NOTES: Internet-ready with pre-installed open sources software Network & Technical Support for free Comprehensive Analysis: The Money on Internet Cafe Business Having an Internet Cafe is fun and exciting... OdavOnLine Research Cafe Branch in Sampaloc, Manila It's Saturday and I have noth... Read more » 5:06 AM