Starting a cyber cafe (LAN center)...

[shifted90]

My brother and I were planning on starting another business. We thought that we should take a path on something that we will actually enjoy, so we came up with the idea of starting a cyber cafe. I found that more and more people are going to cyber cafes. One bad thing... Neither of us have the slightest idea of what we should do or what we have to know.

Basically, I wanted to call upon you PC gods or cyber cafe owners for help. :D I would like to know about connections, systems, precautions, business plans, about how much money we would need (around 40 systems), about how much space we would need, and etc. We already have a renovation team ready to go (electricity, flooring, design, etc.).

Please give me ANY and ALL information that you can possibly put forth. :D

Thank you,
Sean

[Kareeser]

You'll need a very large capital to get this project off the ground...

Also keep in mind that your clientele will most likely be very computer proficient, so you'll basically be maintaining your computers during most of your free time. Always remember to keep one step ahead of people trying to pull one over on you :)

[David M]

I would start by asking why people go to cyber cafes and if any new technology threatens this reason.

This may be of help: http://cybercaptive.com/bp.shtml It is probably worth 25 bucks just to see the business plan of a successful cyber cafe business.

[shifted90]

Thank you all for the input. I am considering purchasing that business plan to see what exactly a lan center needs. Any more information is welcome. Thanks again!

[mbossman2]

I agree with David. The internet landscape is changing very rapidly and how people access the web in 2-3 years will be, IMO, completely different than it is now. Dial up ISP's and in fact traditional 'wired' ISPs (and similar businesses) will probably go the way of the dodo. I have a feeling that intenet cafes, unless they have some incredibly strong (and as yet unknown) value add, will bite the dust too.

[rspassey]

Okay, are you thinking of installing systems or having them bring laptops of their own?

You'll either have to decied if you want to run wires and establish a wired network or do it completely wireless.

Cost wise, setting up a wireless network might be a bit cheaper - routers might end up costing the same as running and purchasing ethernet cables - I'm not sure, though.

You'll have to think of other services you will offer too.

The cafe part has to be superb - unique meals but ones that are of decent price and appealling to many. Avoid messy finger foods, if possible, so that people don't have to mess with the repercussions of using their laptops with greesy fingers.

You're going to want to develop something unique - perhaps weekly LAN Parties with a cover charge for drinks and what not. Do a poll and see which games are the most popular. Lan parties may and may not work; depending on if you are going to invest in "higher quality" PCs to outfit your cafe. This way, gaming enthusiasts with desktops aren't obligated to lug their PCs in with them.

You'll also want to be fully qualified to be able to set up and maintain networks and repair any pc problems that may arise.

Consider setting up a defulat homepage if you want to earn a little cash or promote other local business through a splash "advertisement" page.

If you really want to get nifty, you can offer a package of higher internet speeds and no default homepage.

You're going to need to have ample sockets so that people can plug in and charge their laptops.

Consider developing the place with a conference room with projector and what not and offer to rent it out - I know my father does stuff like this once a month and takes his employees off site for meetings - hotels usually offer the same thing.

Make it modern; have plasma's streaming CNN or ESPN or something and have the volume on them turned off, but with head phones at each seat (or head phone jacks) - that way the environment is silent for poeple who want to get work done but everyone has the ability to listen to the news or sports or whatever.


Edit; The more I toss around ideas, this is certainly inspiring me to think about starting a care of my own. The problem on my end is capital - I have pledged to undergo any business ventures with my own money (not loaning or borrowing from my parents).

[EzyStvy]

Probably only need 200 to 300 Thousand Dollars to get it started.

Wonder how many cups of coffee one has to sell to pay a $3000.00 monthly electric bill?