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Internet Cafe Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Internet Cafe Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Internet Cafe business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Internet Cafe businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Internet Cafe business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Internet Coffee Cafe is a startup internet cafe company located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The company is founded by Kurt Stands, who has experience managing internet cafes. Now, with the expertise of knowledge and business acumen, he has determined he can confidently start and effectively grow a successful internet cafe company. Kurt believes his experience of strategic growth, marketing skills, financial capabilities, and wide and deep knowledge of internet installation and maintenance practices will provide everything needed for long-term growth and profitability.

Internet Coffee Cafe will provide a comprehensive array of products and services for a wide variety of clients. Internet Coffee Cafe will be the one-stop internet shop, providing services and products for each customer, while supporting the strategic goals of the company. Internet Coffee Cafe will be the ultimate choice in Tulsa for customers, as the Internet Coffee Cafe ensures that not only will high-speed internet be on the menu, but a variety of beverages and light meals will be offered, as well.

Product Offering

The following are the products and services that the Internet Coffee Cafe will provide:

  • High-speed reliable internet services
  • Comfortable environment for customers
  • Social video games for groups
  • High top pub-style tables and comfortable stools
  • Casual and fully-cushioned sofa, chairs and low tables
  • Multiple varieties of cabled internet choices.
  • Electrical outlets at each work area
  • Resource library with current periodicals
  • Discounts for return customers
  • Online reservation system to secure an internet line
  • “Meet & Greet” customer parties
  • Computer and iPad accessories, earbuds, cases and internet-related products for sale

Customer Focus

Internet Coffee Cafe will target all individuals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They will target individuals who need internet service, such as students, apartment renters, and those in outlying areas of Tulsa, such as on ranches and farms. They will target online social game circles of two or more people. They will target schools and new businesses. They will target those who enjoy a cafe atmosphere while working. They will target individuals seeking a light meal or beverage in a midtown location.

Management Team

The Internet Coffee Cafe will be owned and operated by Kurt Stands. He recruited his former associate, Steve Thoresen, to take the role of manager of the internet cafe. He also recruited his former executive assistant, Carla Manson, to be the back-office operations assistant.

Kurt Stands is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He has 5 years of experience as a staff member in his first internet cafe position and 5 years of experience in a different internet cafe as the cafe manager. He’s earned a reputation among his customers as being reliable, helpful, and always willing to go the extra mile. Because of this, several customers have already committed to follow him to the new Internet Coffee Cafe.

Steve Thoresen will assume the role of manager of the Internet Coffee Cafe, where he will handle customer requests, assist with internet connections and oversee the food and beverage area of service. Providing an outstanding customer experience will be his main task. Steve has over 6 years of experience as an internet cafe manager and customers frequently compliment the service provided. Steve’s friendly personality and commitment to excellence will serve the Internet Coffee Cafe very well.

Carla Manson, a former work associate with Kurt Stands, will take on the position of back-office operations assistant. This will include overseeing the online social game venues for groups of two or more users, inventory of food, beverage ingredients, kitchen tools and equipment, and all supplies related to the cafe. Her role will also include operation of the internet service, computer systems, and related software and hardware.

Success Factors

Internet Coffee Cafe will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team of Internet Coffee Cafe
  • Online social games for groups
  • Cafe serving light meals, beverages and snacks
  • Online reservation system
  • Internet Coffee Cafe offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Financial Highlights

Internet Coffee Cafe is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its internet cafe. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Office space build-out: $20,000
  • Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
  • Marketing costs: $10,000
  • Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for Internet Coffee Cafe.

Internet Coffee Cafe Pro Forma Projections

Company Overview

Who is internet coffee cafe.

Internet Coffee Cafe is a newly established, full-service internet cafe in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Internet Coffee Cafe will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and enjoyable choice for any individual who requires internet service in the city and the surrounding communities. Internet Coffee Cafe will provide a comprehensive menu of internet access, in addition to a comfortable environment and an online social game venue. In addition, a cafe that serves light meals, snacks and beverages will be on site. Their full-service approach includes a relaxing and enjoyable environment offering internet service.

  Kurt Stands will oversee Steve Thoresen and Carla Manson in their managerial capacity roles. In addition, he will hire the wait staff for the cafe and other personnel who will assist within the cafe. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in operating internet cafes and the environments that make the experiences highly pleasurable. Internet Coffee Cafe removes all headaches and issues of finding and using the internet, and the cafe will ensure all customers are taken care of expeditiously while delivering the best customer service.

Internet Coffee Cafe History

Internet Coffee Cafe is owned and operated by Kurt Stands, who has an extensive degree of experience in managing internet cafes. He holds a marketing degree from the University of Oklahoma and he has successfully managed internet cafes with online social games and food service in various locales. Kurt’s tenure as a manager has given him the skills and technological knowledge to venture out on his own, starting his own company. He has gained the trust and commitment of several former customers, who are now eagerly awaiting the opening of the Internet Coffee Cafe.

Since incorporation, Internet Coffee Cafe has achieved the following milestones:

  • Registered Internet Coffee Cafe, LLC to transact business in the state of Oklahoma.
  • Has a contract in place for a 10,000 square foot office at one of the midtown buildings
  • Reached out to numerous contacts to include Internet Coffee Cafe as their “home base”.
  • Began recruiting a staff of cafe team members to work at Internet Coffee Cafe

Internet Coffee Cafe Services

The following will be the services Internet Coffee Cafe will provide:

  • Social online game parties for two or more

Industry Analysis

The internet cafe industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $22 billion. The growth will be driven by online gamers who enjoy the social aspect of gaming together and the competition the games bring. The growth will additionally be driven by the number of consumers who enjoy working out of their own home environment while remote from the office. The growth will also be driven by technology and innovation, as new processes will result and new applications of the internet will be discovered. Growth will be driven by consumers who work in the central portion of the city and will appreciate a midtown cafe that caters to luncheon guests, serving light meals that allow the consumer to briefly take a break and return to the workplace.

Costs will likely be reduced as additional online games and educational uses for high-end computers and high speed internet are innovated using technology and software. With the growing audience and differentiation of the products offered, costs are gradually reduced.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

TotalPercent
    Total population1,680,988100%
        Male838,67549.9%
        Female842,31350.1%
        20 to 24 years114,8726.8%
        25 to 34 years273,58816.3%
        35 to 44 years235,94614.0%
        45 to 54 years210,25612.5%
        55 to 59 years105,0576.2%
        60 to 64 years87,4845.2%
        65 to 74 years116,8787.0%
        75 to 84 years52,5243.1%

Customer Segmentation

Internet Coffee Cafe will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Individuals who do not have internet services in their own residence
  • Online game players who play within social circles
  • Schools and private learning centers
  • Individuals seeking a warm cafe environment
  • Individuals seeking a light meal in the midtown area

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Internet Coffee Cafe will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Goofy’s Gamer Cafe

Goofy’s Gamer Cafe hosts online social games for interactive play. The company is owned and operated by Chad Edwards, a former manager of an internet cafe for seven years. He offered premium customer experience while learning to handle operations, back-office inventory, customer relationships and other strategic aspects of the industry. The company is housed in Tulsa, Oklahoma and caters to those who enjoy competitive online ranching and cowboy video games.

Goofy’s Gamer Cafe caters to a young demographic, ages 15 to 30, and offers beverages and snacks as an additional avenue to gain revenue. The staff consists of a manager, Chad Edwards, three staff hostesses and three beverage and snack servers. The company logo is, “Satisfaction Equals Sales,” which indicates that by keeping their customers satisfied, the customers will purchase additional game play and products.

Tulsa Internet Business Cafe

The Tulsa Internet Business Cafe, located within a few blocks of the Tulsa courthouse and judicial system departments, caters to professionals and business users, such as attorneys and lawmakers. The Tulsa Internet Business Cafe has developed a very high-speed internet service that outshines any government-provided internet connection; therefore, the Tulsa Internet Business Cafe is often packed with professionals who are stretched for time. The Tulsa Internet Business Cafe is owned by Jack Adams who is the previous owner of an internet cafe in a suburb of Tulsa. He sold that internet cafe and brought his concept to the inner core of business areas in Tulsa, where he has provided customers with excellent internet connections and service for over five years. In addition, his business offers document printing, scanning, and small conference rooms.

Mid-City Internet Cafe

The Mid-City Internet Cafe was started by Tracy Harrington in 2019 to meet the needs of small businesses. She innovated the combination of a traditional internet cafe with co-working spaces, which allows patrons to work together as needed, or individually, if preferred. Offering comfortable furnishings and a quiet and serene environment, the Mid-City Internet Cafe includes high-speed internet and other professional amenities in one distinctive workspace. Included are printers, coffee makers, food vending machines in a kitchenette, and desk items such as pens, pencils, and staplers.

The Mid-City Internet Cafe is most popular with freelance professionals who are in downtown Tulsa and need a workspace for a morning or afternoon. Entrepreneurs and remote workers often visit the Mid-City Internet Cafe, as well, due to the quiet and serene atmosphere.

Competitive Advantage

Internet Coffee Cafe will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

  • Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team at the Internet Coffee Cafe

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Internet Coffee Cafe will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

  • Highly-qualified team of skilled employees that is able to provide a comprehensive set of services and products designed to fit with the internet usage needs of each customer.
  • Unbeatable pricing to its clients; they will offer the lowest pricing in the city.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Internet Coffee Cafe is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

The staff of the Internet Coffee Cafe has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service and expertise to their clients. The contacts and clients will follow them to the new company and help spread the word of Internet Coffee Cafe.

Professional Associations and Networking

Kurt Stands and Steve Thoreson will join the professional associations within Tulsa that will help drive business to the company. In addition, they will offer to take on official roles within those associations to further the name of the Internet Coffee Cafe. They will both network within the national trade groups and during trade shows.

Print Advertising

Print advertising will be focused on individuals who may not currently have high-speed internet in their homes or workplaces. Direct mail pieces will announce the opening of the company and offer discounts to “try out” the Internet Coffee Cafe.

Website/SEO Marketing

The Internet Coffee Cafe will fully utilize their website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that are offered. In addition, online reservations can be made for a single workspace or an online game group of two or more individuals. The website will also list their contact information and meals and snacks for sale. The website will engage in SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Internet cafe” or “Online gamers near me,” Internet Coffee Cafe will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of Internet Coffee Cafe will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Internet Coffee Cafe. Operation Functions:

  • Kurt Stands will be the owner and president of the company. He will oversee all staff and manage client relations. Kurt has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
  • Steve Thoreson will become the business manager who will conduct the office administration, client files, and accounts payable.
  • Carla Manson will assume the role of back office operations assistant and oversee inventory, product control, internet connectivity and other areas of note.

Milestones:

Internet Coffee Cafe will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

  • 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space
  • 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Internet Coffee Cafe
  • 6/1/202X – Finalize contracts for Internet Coffee Cafe vendors
  • 6/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events
  • 6/22/202X – Begin moving into Internet Coffee Cafe
  • 7/1/202X – Internet Coffee Cafe opens its doors for business

Carla Manson, a former work associate with Kurt Stands, will take on the position of back office operations assistant. This will include overseeing the online social game venues for groups of two or more users, inventory of food, beverage ingredients, kitchen tools and equipment, and all supplies related to the cafe. Her role will also include operation of the internet service, computer systems, and related software and hardware.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Internet Coffee Cafe are the fees they will charge to customers for their services. .

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff Internet Coffee Cafe. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Internet Coffee Cafe is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its internet cafe. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

  • Number of Customers Per Month: 350
  • Average Revenue per Month: $16,500
  • Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

FY 1FY 2FY 3FY 4FY 5
Revenues
Total Revenues$360,000$793,728$875,006$964,606$1,063,382
Expenses & Costs
Cost of goods sold$64,800$142,871$157,501$173,629$191,409
Lease$50,000$51,250$52,531$53,845$55,191
Marketing$10,000$8,000$8,000$8,000$8,000
Salaries$157,015$214,030$235,968$247,766$260,155
Initial expenditure$10,000$0$0$0$0
Total Expenses & Costs$291,815$416,151$454,000$483,240$514,754
EBITDA$68,185 $377,577 $421,005 $481,366 $548,628
Depreciation$27,160$27,160 $27,160 $27,160 $27,160
EBIT$41,025 $350,417 $393,845$454,206$521,468
Interest$23,462$20,529 $17,596 $14,664 $11,731
PRETAX INCOME$17,563 $329,888 $376,249 $439,543 $509,737
Net Operating Loss$0$0$0$0$0
Use of Net Operating Loss$0$0$0$0$0
Taxable Income$17,563$329,888$376,249$439,543$509,737
Income Tax Expense$6,147$115,461$131,687$153,840$178,408
NET INCOME$11,416 $214,427 $244,562 $285,703 $331,329

Balance Sheet

FY 1FY 2FY 3FY 4FY 5
ASSETS
Cash$154,257$348,760$573,195$838,550$1,149,286
Accounts receivable$0$0$0$0$0
Inventory$30,000$33,072$36,459$40,192$44,308
Total Current Assets$184,257$381,832$609,654$878,742$1,193,594
Fixed assets$180,950$180,950$180,950$180,950$180,950
Depreciation$27,160$54,320$81,480$108,640 $135,800
Net fixed assets$153,790 $126,630 $99,470 $72,310 $45,150
TOTAL ASSETS$338,047$508,462$709,124$951,052$1,238,744
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Debt$315,831$270,713$225,594$180,475 $135,356
Accounts payable$10,800$11,906$13,125$14,469 $15,951
Total Liability$326,631 $282,618 $238,719 $194,944 $151,307
Share Capital$0$0$0$0$0
Retained earnings$11,416 $225,843 $470,405 $756,108$1,087,437
Total Equity$11,416$225,843$470,405$756,108$1,087,437
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY$338,047$508,462$709,124$951,052$1,238,744

Cash Flow Statement

FY 1FY 2FY 3FY 4FY 5
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
Net Income (Loss)$11,416 $214,427 $244,562 $285,703$331,329
Change in working capital($19,200)($1,966)($2,167)($2,389)($2,634)
Depreciation$27,160 $27,160 $27,160 $27,160 $27,160
Net Cash Flow from Operations$19,376 $239,621 $269,554 $310,473 $355,855
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS
Investment($180,950)$0$0$0$0
Net Cash Flow from Investments($180,950)$0$0$0$0
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING
Cash from equity$0$0$0$0$0
Cash from debt$315,831 ($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)
Net Cash Flow from Financing$315,831 ($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)
Net Cash Flow$154,257$194,502 $224,436 $265,355$310,736
Cash at Beginning of Period$0$154,257$348,760$573,195$838,550
Cash at End of Period$154,257$348,760$573,195$838,550$1,149,286

Internet Cafe Business Plan FAQs

What is an internet cafe business plan.

An internet cafe business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your internet cafe business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections. You can easily complete your Internet Cafe business plan using our Internet Cafe Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Internet Cafe Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of internet cafe businesses, some examples include: Internet kiosks, Cyber cafe, Gaming cafe, and Commercial cafe.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Internet Cafe Business Plan?

Internet Cafe businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start an Internet Cafe Business?

Starting an internet cafe business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster. 1. Develop An Internet Cafe Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed internet cafe business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your internet cafe business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your internet cafe business is in compliance with local laws. 3. Register Your Internet Cafe Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your internet cafe business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your internet cafe business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 7. Acquire Necessary Internet Cafe Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your internet cafe business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your internet cafe business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Internet Cafe Business Plan

Executive summary Comparison to competitors
Internet cafe Internet cafe
Pros & Cons of Internet cafe
What products and services

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.

esports gamer plays games at cyber arena

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.

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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.

PC and console components for an internet cafe

Thousands of businesses rely upon SENET

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.

Element Factor

(List here all factors that have been identified)

Business Impact

(Think on what impact each of the identified factors has on your business?)

Political
Economic
Sociological
Technological
Legal
Environmental (if applicable) How can it be used for the business /services of Internet (cyber) cafe?

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.

eSports audience size worldwide 2018-2023 - graphic statistic by statista

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.

distribution of eSports viewers worldwide in 2019, by region - graphic statistic by statista

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.

eSports viewers in United States 2018-2023 - graphic statistic by statista

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.

lead generation strategy graphic that contain: content, seo, promotion, conversion, analytics strategy lists

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.

business plan for small internet cafe

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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

StartupBiz Global

Starting an Internet Cafe Business Plan (PDF)

Internet Cafe business plan

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)

internet cafe business plan pdf

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Just wanted to say I am very happy with the business plan and I will gladly recommend your products, thank you very much and have a great day.

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Many thanks for your incredibly efficient service and thorough business plan. I am very impressed with the business plan. Before I bought the business plan, I tried to do my own business plan – it was such a nightmare and it turned out badly, also not to mention the stress it caused me. I wish I knew about your website earlier!

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I was extremely lucky to come across StartupBiz Global. Their business plan exceeded my expectations, and most importantly I was able to secure a loan from my bank. Thank you guys, now my dreams are coming true!

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I purchased a business plan from you, and I’m glad to inform you that I was able to get my loan, and I’m starting my poultry farming business on the 1 st of July. This was made possible because of your business plan. Thank you very much, you made my dream come true.

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The business plan which I purchased from your website saved me TIME and MONEY! The layout of the business plan was excellent. The financial statements were detailed and easy for me to edit. I will come back to purchase another business plan soon.

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StartupBiz Global provided a very professional and comprehensive business plan which I used for my business. The business plan was easy to edit, and I was able to get the funding which I wanted. I highly recommend their business plans.

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

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

internet cafe business proposal

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

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.

We wish you the best in your internet cafe business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Internet Cafe Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

internet cafe business plan

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.

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Table of contents, building your internet cafe business plan.

  • 18 April, 2024

internet cafe business plan

Understanding Internet Cafe Market

To build a successful internet cafe business, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the internet cafe market. This includes conducting thorough market research and identifying the sources of funding for your venture.

Importance of Market Research

Market research is an essential component of developing a solid internet cafe business plan . It provides valuable insights into the industry, helps in accurately forecasting potential revenues, and aids in understanding customer needs and preferences. By conducting market research, you can identify competitors and determine the best location for your internet cafe.

Understanding the target market is vital when starting an internet cafe. Factors such as demographics, customer behavior, and preferences play a significant role in shaping the services and amenities you offer. Conducting surveys, analyzing industry reports, and observing customer trends can help you gain valuable insights into the market.

Market research also helps you identify opportunities and potential challenges in the industry. By staying informed about the latest trends and developments, you can adapt your business strategy accordingly and stay ahead of the competition. Regularly updating your market research ensures that your business remains agile and responsive to changing market conditions.

Sources of Funding

Determining the sources of funding for your internet cafe is a crucial step in turning your business concept into a reality. Several options are available, including personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors.

Personal savings are often the primary source of funding for small-scale internet cafes. Utilizing your own funds allows you to maintain control over the business and avoid debt obligations. However, it’s important to assess the financial risks and ensure that your savings are sufficient to cover startup costs and initial operational expenses.

Credit cards can be a convenient way to finance certain aspects of your business. However, it’s essential to use them responsibly and be mindful of high interest rates. Careful budgeting and financial planning are necessary to manage credit card debt effectively.

Bank loans are an alternative source of funding. To secure a loan, you will need a well-prepared business plan that demonstrates the viability and profitability of your internet cafe. Banks typically assess factors such as creditworthiness, collateral, and the potential for loan repayment when considering loan applications.

Angel investors are individuals or groups who provide capital in exchange for equity or ownership in your business. These investors often bring valuable expertise and industry connections. Pitching your business idea to angel investors requires a compelling business plan and a clear value proposition.

By understanding the importance of market research and considering various sources of funding, you can lay a solid foundation for your internet cafe business. Conducting thorough market research helps in shaping your business strategy, while exploring different funding options enables you to secure the necessary capital to bring your business plan to life.

Planning Your Internet Cafe

When embarking on the journey of setting up an internet cafe, careful planning is essential to ensure a smooth and successful launch. This section will explore the key aspects of planning your internet cafe business, including setting up your business, location considerations, and equipment and staffing requirements.

Setting Up Your Business

Setting up an internet cafe involves several important steps. First and foremost, it is crucial to conduct thorough market research to understand the demand and competition in the local area. This research will help you identify the target audience, assess the potential profitability, and tailor your services accordingly. For more insights on the industry, refer to our article on internet cafe industry analysis.

Once you have a solid understanding of the market, you’ll need to secure funding for your internet cafe. This can be done through various sources, such as personal savings, loans, or investors. A comprehensive business plan that includes financial projections will be instrumental in attracting potential investors. For guidance on developing a business plan, refer to our article on how to write an internet cafe business plan .

Location Considerations

Choosing the right location for your internet cafe is crucial for attracting customers and ensuring a steady flow of business. Consider renting a space that is easily accessible and near your target audience. For example, a location near college campuses, business districts, or tourist destinations can be advantageous. Additionally, ensure that the space you choose has adequate infrastructure to support your internet cafe’s technical requirements.

Equipment and Staffing

Equipping your internet cafe with the necessary hardware and software is essential for providing a seamless and satisfying user experience. Some of the key equipment you will need includes computers, routers, printers, and comfortable seating arrangements. It is recommended to partner with a reliable internet service provider to ensure a stable and high-speed internet connection for your customers.

Alongside equipment, hiring competent staff is crucial for the efficient operation of your internet cafe. Consider hiring individuals with strong technical skills and excellent customer service to assist customers with any technical issues and provide a welcoming atmosphere. Hiring staff who are familiar with the local area and its attractions can also be beneficial for providing helpful information to customers.

By carefully planning the setup of your internet cafe, considering the location, and ensuring the availability of necessary equipment and skilled staff, you will be well on your way to creating a successful business. Remember to check for any legal requirements and obtain the necessary licenses and permits before opening your doors. For more information on legal aspects, refer to our article on internet cafe legal requirements.

Starting an internet cafe business requires a significant investment. According to industry estimates, the startup costs can range from $25,000 to $50,000, which covers expenses such as lease, renovations, equipment purchases, licensing and permits, initial inventory, staffing, and marketing ( Medium ). Make sure to plan for these costs and have sufficient operating capital to sustain your business for the initial months.

Planning is the foundation of a successful internet cafe business. By carefully considering the setup, location, equipment, and staffing requirements, you can position your internet cafe for growth and profitability.

Developing a Business Plan

When starting an internet cafe, developing a comprehensive business plan is crucial for success. A well-crafted business plan provides a roadmap for your internet cafe, outlining your goals and strategies for reaching them. It also includes essential components and financial projections to support your plans.

Components of a Business Plan

A business plan for an internet cafe should encompass various key components. These components provide a comprehensive overview of your business and help potential investors or lenders understand your vision. Some essential components to include are:

Executive Summary : This section provides a concise overview of your internet cafe business, including its mission, vision, and goals. It should highlight the unique selling proposition of your cafe and summarize the key points of your business plan.

Company Description : Here, you will describe your internet cafe in detail. Include information about the services you will offer, your target market, and any competitive advantages you have over other establishments.

Market Analysis : Conduct thorough market research to understand the industry and target audience. Identify trends, customer preferences, and potential competitors. This analysis will help you position your internet cafe effectively and develop a competitive edge.

Organization and Management : Provide an organizational structure for your internet cafe and outline the roles and responsibilities of key team members. Investors will want to see that you have a capable and experienced team in place to ensure the success of your business.

Products and Services : Detail the specific services your internet cafe will offer, such as high-speed internet access, computer rentals, printing services, and any additional amenities or unique features. Highlight how your offerings will meet the needs of your target market.

Marketing and Sales Strategy : Outline your marketing plan, including strategies for attracting customers and promoting your internet cafe. Consider online and offline marketing tactics, social media campaigns, partnerships with local businesses, and any other methods to reach your target audience.

Financial Projections : Financial projections are a crucial part of your business plan. Include projected revenue, expenses, and cash flow statements. Use these projections to demonstrate the profitability and sustainability of your internet cafe. Be sure to include a 5-year financial statement broken down monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually.

For a more detailed breakdown of the components to include in your business plan, you can refer to resources such as The Business Plan Shop and Growthink .

Financial Projections

The financial projections section of your business plan is crucial for demonstrating the financial viability of your internet cafe. It should include detailed forecasts of your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. These projections help you understand and communicate your expected financial performance.

By analyzing your financial projections, you can assess the profitability and investment potential of your internet cafe. It allows you to identify potential risks and challenges and make necessary adjustments to ensure the financial stability and growth of your business.

Having an up-to-date and accurate financial forecast in your business plan also enables you to compare your actual performance against your planned performance. This helps you make informed decisions, adapt to market conditions, and respond effectively to unexpected events.

When seeking financing from banks or presenting your business plan to potential investors, the financial projections serve as a critical component. They demonstrate the expected return on investment and provide assurance of your internet cafe’s ability to generate revenue and repay loans.

To support your financial projections, consider utilizing financial planning tools and consulting with professionals to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Remember, a well-developed business plan with comprehensive financial projections helps you navigate the complexities of starting and running an internet cafe. It provides a solid foundation for success and enhances your chances of securing financing and attracting investors.

Marketing Strategies for Internet Cafe

To ensure the success of your internet cafe business, implementing effective marketing strategies is essential. By creating a well-rounded marketing plan, targeting the right customers, and engaging in promotional activities, you can increase brand awareness and attract a loyal customer base.

Marketing Plan Essentials

A comprehensive marketing plan is crucial for the success of your internet cafe. It serves as a roadmap that outlines your marketing goals and the strategies you will employ to achieve them. Some essential components to include in your marketing plan are:

Market Research : Conduct thorough market research to understand your target audience, identify competitors, and determine the best location for your internet cafe ( The Business Plan Shop ). This will help you tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right customers.

Budget Allocation : Allocate a portion of your budget specifically for marketing activities. This should cover customer service initiatives and various promotional activities aimed at retaining existing customers and acquiring new ones ( The Business Plan Shop ).

Digital Presence : Establish a strong online presence for your internet cafe. Create a professional website and utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat to engage with potential customers ( Senet Cloud ). Regularly update your website and social media accounts with relevant content to attract and retain customers. Consider implementing content marketing strategies to provide valuable information and establish your internet cafe as a trusted resource ( Starter Story ).

Customer Targeting

When developing your marketing strategies, it is crucial to define and understand your target audience. Gather as much information as possible about their demographics and psychographics. Identify where your target customers can be found both online and offline. This knowledge will help you tailor your marketing messages and select the most effective channels to reach them ( Senet Cloud ).

Consider leveraging relationship marketing strategies to build strong customer relationships. By focusing on personalized communication and providing exceptional customer service, you can foster loyalty and encourage repeat business ( Starter Story ).

Promotional Activities

Promotional activities play a vital role in attracting customers to your internet cafe. Here are some effective strategies to consider:

Special Offers and Discounts : Offer special promotions, discounts, or loyalty programs to incentivize customers to choose your internet cafe over competitors. Consider offering discounted rates during off-peak hours or providing loyalty cards that offer rewards for frequent visits.

Partnerships and Collaborations : Forge partnerships with local businesses or organizations that share your target audience. Collaborate on promotional activities or cross-promote each other’s services to expand your reach.

Events and Workshops : Organize events, workshops, or seminars related to technology, gaming, or digital skills. These events can attract potential customers and position your internet cafe as a hub for learning and community engagement.

Online Advertising : Consider investing in online advertising campaigns, such as pay-per-click (PPC) ads or social media ads, to increase brand visibility and drive traffic to your website or physical location.

Remember to track the effectiveness of your promotional activities and adjust your strategies as needed. Regularly evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of your marketing efforts to ensure that you are allocating resources effectively.

By implementing a well-thought-out marketing plan, targeting the right customers, and engaging in strategic promotional activities, you can effectively promote your internet cafe and attract a loyal customer base.

Enhancing Business Performance

To ensure the success and profitability of your internet cafe, it’s essential to focus on enhancing business performance. This involves optimizing revenue, managing profit margins and costs, and determining the staffing requirements for your establishment.

Revenue Projection Template

To estimate the revenue potential of your internet cafe, you can utilize a revenue projection template. This template allows you to forecast revenue for the next five years based on various factors such as the capacity of your internet cafe, the number of hours it will be open, and the number of computer terminals available. By inputting these variables into the template, you can get a quick estimate of the revenue you can expect to generate. For a detailed revenue projection template tailored specifically for internet cafes, you can visit Plan Projections .

Profit Margins and Costs

Achieving healthy profit margins is crucial for the long-term sustainability of your internet cafe. By offering time-based internet access, computer services, and food and beverages, you can aim for profit margins ranging from 20% to 30%. To achieve these margins, it’s important to control costs efficiently. This includes managing rental space costs, equipment expenses, staffing costs, and consumables effectively. By finding the right balance between revenue and costs, you can ensure a profitable business model. For more information on internet cafe profitability, you can refer to our article on internet cafe profitability.

Staffing Requirements

Determining the staffing requirements for your internet cafe is essential to ensure smooth operations and excellent customer service. A minimum staffing setup typically includes an owner-operator, one to two part-time cafe attendants for food service and billing, and an on-call IT technician for equipment troubleshooting and maintenance. These roles are crucial for providing a pleasant experience to your customers and maintaining the functionality of your internet cafe. As your business grows, you can adjust the staffing requirements accordingly. To learn more about the staffing requirements for an internet cafe, you can refer to our article on internet cafe legal requirements.

To optimize your internet cafe’s performance, it’s important to regularly review and analyze revenue, profit margins, costs, and staffing requirements. By staying proactive and making necessary adjustments, you can ensure the success and profitability of your internet cafe business.

Industry Insights and Trends

To build a successful internet cafe business, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest industry insights and trends. Understanding the evolution of internet cafes, gaining insights into the target audience, and assessing profitability and investment opportunities are key areas to focus on.

Evolution of Internet Cafes

The concept of internet cafes, also known as cybercafes, originated in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. Since then, internet cafes have undergone significant transformations. Initially, they provided access to basic webmail and instant messaging services. However, their purpose has expanded to cater to various online activities, including multiplayer gaming and the provision of advanced technologies such as VR headsets and gaming consoles ( Senet Cloud ).

Despite the widespread availability of personal devices for internet access, internet cafes continue to thrive by offering a unique blend of connectivity, social interaction, and gaming experiences. They provide a dedicated and distraction-free environment for individuals to engage in online activities ( Medium ).

Target Audience Insights

Understanding the target audience is essential for the success of an internet cafe business. The majority of internet cafe entrepreneurs are men between the ages of 22 and 50 who possess advanced computer knowledge. Many of them dedicate their work to internet cafes, gaming lounges, and related businesses. While some entrepreneurs start with a small budget and gradually increase their income, others with prior entrepreneurial experience invest significant amounts of money upfront ( Senet Cloud ).

In addition to targeting entrepreneurs, internet cafes can also attract a diverse range of customers, including travelers who require temporary internet access and individuals seeking a specialized gaming experience. By understanding the preferences and needs of the target audience, internet cafes can tailor their services and offerings to meet customer demands effectively.

Profitability and Investment

The profitability of an internet cafe business depends on various factors, such as revenue streams, costs, and efficient management. Internet cafes can achieve profit margins of 20-30% by offering time-based internet access, computer services, and food and beverages while effectively controlling costs related to rental space, equipment, staffing, and consumables ( Medium ).

When considering investment opportunities, it’s important to assess the startup costs involved. Starting an internet cafe business typically requires an investment of around $25,000 to $50,000. This includes costs for lease, renovations, equipment purchases, licensing and permits, initial inventory, staffing, and marketing. Additionally, it is advisable to have 3-6 months of operating capital to cover initial expenses before the business becomes profitable ( Medium ).

By staying informed about industry insights and trends, internet cafe owners can adapt their business strategies to meet the evolving needs of their target audience. With a thorough understanding of the evolution of internet cafes, insights into the target audience, and assessment of profitability and investment opportunities, entrepreneurs can build a solid foundation for their internet cafe business.

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Home » cybersecurity » Internet Cafe Business Plan

Internet Cafe Business Plan

Starting a business is an exciting venture, especially if it’s an Internet ⁤Cafe. Whether you’re‍ looking to ⁢launch a small business or have already done⁢ so, an Internet⁣ Cafe business plan is ⁢a necessity as it provides a framework ‌for success. With the⁣ right strategies, ⁢you can guarantee success in⁢ this type‌ of business. By formulating a business⁤ plan, key objectives and goals of opening an Internet Cafe can be established. ⁤A successful Internet Cafe business plan will include everything from initial startup costs and licensing requirements⁢ to marketing strategies‌ and ​future growth. This⁤ article provides ​an⁤ Internet Cafe business plan to help ‌you get ​started and ensure the success of your business.

1. Start‌ Your Own Internet Cafe: Crafting​ a Plan

The first step to starting an internet cafe ⁢is to craft a plan. It should include what equipment ‍and software you need, your target market, how you will fund your business,‌ and what ⁢measures you will⁢ use to succeed. Understanding your goals and outlining the steps you need to take will increase your chances of success.

  • Equipment:‌ What ‌types of computers will you need? Alternately, will you only provide the infrastructure for customers‍ to bring ⁣their own laptops? What type of​ software licenses ‍and hardware settings do you need⁢ to offer services with reliability and speed?
  • Target ​Market: Who will be your customers and how will you⁢ reach them? Which parts of the city do you want to operate in?
  • Funding: How much money do you need to investments​ and ⁣what sources will you use? Do you need financing or will you be ⁤self-funding?
  • Marketing Strategy: Once you know who your target audience is, figure out what type of message you⁣ want to send to them. What platforms will you use to ⁢advertise? What type of content ‌will you create and post?

Having⁣ a thorough‍ plan will give you a ⁤better handle ⁣on what you ​need to succeed ‍and save you from⁢ any pitfalls while you pursue your goal.​ Spend time researching the industry, talking to successful‌ cafe⁤ owners in your area, and asking yourself important questions as you go. Establishing a clear plan will​ help the entire process go smoother.

2. Assessing ⁣the ‌Opportunities ⁢and Challenges ​of ​Running an Internet ‌Cafe

Running an internet cafe can be a great business opportunity⁣ but there are ‍some challenges that must‍ be considered. 1st Paragraph

First, the cafe must provide an environment ⁣that encourages people to relax, work‌ and learn with the most current technology available. This means keeping your hardware and software up to date, and ensuring that your cafe is comfortable and​ inviting. Additionally, a good internet cafe will provide ⁢training for staff to troubleshoot and help patrons‌ use the technology.

2nd⁤ Paragraph Second, security is key. ⁤Cafe owners need to provide secure Wi-Fi networks, antivirus and⁤ malware protection software, and⁣ a reliable filter to prevent inappropriate content. Likewise, cafe owners need to have protocols in place to ‌restrict access ​to secure or proprietary ⁤information. Moreover, ⁤it’s essential to respect customer⁣ and ⁢employee privacy by properly ⁤securing customer data , using privacy tools and controls, and ‌ avoiding unnecessary data collection .

Overall, risks ⁣like cyberattacks, ‍data‌ misuse and human ‌errors can ⁤be prevented through ⁣the proper security measures. With‌ the⁤ right planning and procedures in place, any internet ⁣cafe can become a successful venture.

3. Putting Together the Pieces: Crafting Your Internet Cafe Business Plan

When putting together your internet cafe business plan, it’s important to bring all the pieces together⁣ in a coherent, effective‍ way. There are five primary steps to consider when crafting your⁢ plan.

If you follow ​these ⁢steps and properly outline your internet cafe business plan, you’ll have a strong⁣ foundation to start and succeed in your venture.

4. Preparing to Launch Your Internet Cafe: Branding and Financing

Branding your Internet Cafe

Starting an internet cafe business means you’ll need to develop your brand. Brainstorm⁤ ideas that represent the unique vibe of⁤ your cafe. Your branding should ⁤draw‍ customers in and keep them‌ coming back. Research the competition and decide what sets your cafe ‍apart. Determine‍ the colors, fonts,⁤ and the tone you’d​ like to use for your website, ‍business​ cards, and other branding⁤ materials. ⁣

Financing your Internet Cafe

Budgeting is an essential part of launching an internet cafe.‌ Establish your‍ startup costs​ and⁣ decide how‍ you’ll cover them. Consider loans, grants, and other⁢ forms of financing. Make sure you understand the repayment terms of each ⁣loan ⁣you consider to‌ avoid surprises​ down the line. Discuss leasing versus buying computers, furniture, and other ​equipment for your cafe. Explore ways⁣ to save money.⁢ Have an emergency fund set aside in case you need it.

  • Brainstorm ideas for your cafe
  • Research the competition
  • Determine colors, fonts, tone
  • Calculate startup ‌costs
  • Consider⁤ loans‍ and grants
  • Explore leasing and buying ⁢options
  • Save money wherever possible
  • Set aside emergency funds

Q: What‌ is an Internet café business plan? A: An Internet café business plan is a written ⁢plan that outlines the steps needed to start and run an Internet café. It includes details regarding ⁢the location, equipment, staffing, and marketing, among other things.‌ Having a business plan helps ensure that a business⁣ has​ a blueprint in place for its success.

Q: What components should a good ⁢Internet café business plan have? A: A good Internet café business plan should include an executive summary, a ⁤description of the business, a market analysis, information about the location, a description of ⁢the product or ⁢services, operational details, a personnel plan, and a‍ financial plan.

Q: What should be included in the personnel plan of an Internet café business plan? A: The‌ personnel plan should detail the ​number of staff members needed for ⁢each position and the qualifications required to fulfill ​these positions. It should also include a description of the roles and responsibilities and salary information, among other details. Effectively plan for‌ the success of your Internet Cafe ‌Business with‌ a FREE​ LogMeOnce account. LogMeOnce ​provides strong ‌security‍ and auto-login features to keep your business secure, and makes it easier than ever to manage user access. Avoid the hassle of passwords and the risk ⁢of security breaches by signing up for a LogMeOnce account today. No matter⁣ what business plan you have in place, LogMeOnce is an essential tool for keeping your Internet Cafe safe and secure.

business plan for small internet cafe

Nicole’s, journey in the tech industry is marked by a passion for learning and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether it’s delving into the latest software developments or exploring innovative computing solutions, Nicole’s expertise is evident in her insightful and informative writing style. Her ability to connect with readers through her words makes her a valuable asset in any technical communication endeavor.

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Internet Cafe

Back to All Business Ideas

Surf and Serve: Launching Your Internet Cafe Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on September 8, 2023 Updated on August 6, 2024

Surf and Serve: Launching Your Internet Cafe Business

Investment range

$13,300 - $28,300

Revenue potential

$187,200 - $374,400 p.a.

Time to build

0 – 3 months

Profit potential

$37,440 - $74,880 p.a.

Industry trend

Here are the most important factors to consider when you want to start an internet cafe:

  • Location — Choose a location that is easily accessible and has high foot traffic, such as near schools, universities, or busy commercial areas. The right location will attract more customers and ensure your business thrives.
  • Strong internet connection — Invest in a stable and high-speed internet connection, preferably fiber optic, to provide fast and reliable service to your customers. The quality of your internet connection is crucial to the success of your internet cafe.
  • Equipment and technology — Equip your cafe with the latest computers, gaming consoles, and other technology that your target audience may want to use. Ensure that the hardware is up-to-date and capable of handling high-demand tasks such as gaming, video conferencing, and streaming.
  • Permits for serving food or drinks — If you plan to serve food or beverages in your internet cafe, you will need to obtain the necessary permits from your local health department and other relevant authorities. This includes food service licenses, health permits, and possibly a liquor license if you plan to serve alcohol.
  • Comfortable furniture — Invest in comfortable and ergonomic furniture to enhance the customer experience. This includes chairs, desks, and lounge areas that encourage customers to stay longer and return frequently.
  • Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
  • Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
  • Ensure fast and reliable internet connectivity — Continuously monitor and upgrade your internet services to maintain a fast and reliable connection. This will keep your customers satisfied and coming back for more.

You May Also Wonder:

Is an internet café profitable?

The profitability of an internet café depends on various factors such as location, pricing, services offered, competition, and customer demand. While the demand for internet cafes has decreased with the widespread availability of affordable home internet connections and mobile devices, there are opportunities for profitability by offering unique experiences, services, or catering to specific customer needs.

What happens during a typical day at an internet cafe?

During a typical day at an internet café:

  • Customers use computers to browse the internet, check emails, social media, or work on projects.
  • Some cafes offer gaming stations for multiplayer online games.
  • Customers may use the café as a meeting place or workspace.
  • Printing, scanning, and photocopying services may be offered.
  • Cafes that serve beverages and snacks can also provide a social setting for patrons.

What is the growth potential of an internet café?

The growth potential is somewhat limited due to the availability of home internet and mobile devices. However, focusing on specialized services like gaming, offering high-speed internet for professionals, or creating a comfortable work environment can attract customers.

What type of business is an internet cafe?

An internet café is a service-based business that provides customers with access to the internet and computer services. It often falls within the broader category of hospitality or technology-related businesses.

Internet Cafe business idea rating

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

  • Help people gain internet access
  • Multiple revenue streams
  • Simple business model
  • Demand is fairly low
  • Investment required

How much does it cost to start an internet cafe business?

Startup costs for an internet café range from $13,000 to $28,000. Costs include the space rental and computers.

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your internet cafe business, including: 

  • High speed internet connection
Start-up CostsBallpark RangeAverage
Setting up a business name and corporation$100 - $500$300
Business licenses and permits$100 - $300$200
Insurance$100-$500$300
Website$500 - $1,000$750
Computers$10,000 - $20,000$15,000
Space rental and preparation$2,000 - $5,000$3,500
Marketing budget$500 - $1,000$750
Total$13,300 - $28,300$20,800

How much can you earn from an internet cafe business?

Internet Cafe earning forecast

You can typically charge about $10 per hour for access to a computer and internet connection, plus you can also bring in revenue from selling snacks and beverages. These calculations will assume that the average customer will spend about $20 per hour. Your profit margin should be about 20%. 

In your first year or two, you might have 30 customers a day six days a week, bringing in $187,200 in revenue. This would mean $37,440 in profit, assuming that 20% margin. 

As you gain traction, you might double your numbers and have 60 customers a day. With annual revenue of $374,400, you’d make a tidy profit of $74,880.

What barriers to entry are there?

The only barrier to entry for an internet café is funding the startup costs.

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting an internet cafe, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research could give you the upper hand even if you’ve got the perfect product. Conducting robust market research is crucial, as it will help you better understand your customers, your competitors, and the broader business landscape.

Analyze your competitors 

Research internet cafes in your area to examine their products and services, price points, and customer reviews.

  • Make a list of businesses that offer similar products or services. 
  • Review your competitors’ products – their features, pricing, and quality – and marketing strategies.
  • Check out their online reviews and ratings on Google, Yelp, and Facebook to get an idea of what their customers like and dislike.
  • Identify your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. 

This should identify areas where you can strengthen your business and gain a competitive edge to make better business decisions.

Why? Identify an opportunity

You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing an internet café that offers fresh baked snacks. 

business plan for small internet cafe

You might consider targeting a niche, such as an internet café that’s also a coffee shop.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your products and services

In addition to computer and internet access, you should offer food and beverages. Get creative with what you offer to attract more customers.

How much should you charge for internet café access?

Your prices should be based on market prices in your area, but also on your operating costs.. 

Once you know your costs, use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market is going to be lower income people who are unlikely to be on social media. You’ll need to rely on more traditional marketing methods to reach them.

Where? Choose an internet caffe location

You’ll need to rent out a space for your internet cafe. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space for your internet cafe, you may want to follow these suggestions:

  • High Foot Traffic: Opt for locations with lots of pedestrian activity, as this increases visibility and potential patronage.
  • Near Educational Institutions: Proximity to schools, colleges, or universities can ensure a steady flow of students needing internet services.
  • Proximity to Complementary Businesses: Being near restaurants, bookstores, or other entertainment venues can lead to mutual customer referrals.
  • Size and Layout: Ensure the space is large enough for all your equipment, seating, and other amenities while maintaining a comfortable environment.
  • Infrastructure: Check for stable electricity, good internet connectivity, and adequate ventilation in the location.
  • Ease of Delivery: If you’re considering offering food or drinks, ensure suppliers can easily access and deliver to your location.
  • Cultural and Social Alignment: Ensure the café’s theme and offerings align with the values and preferences of the local community.

Step 3: Brainstorm an Internet Cafe Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

  • Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
  • Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
  • Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
  • Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
  • Including keywords, such as “internet cafe” or “cybercafe”, boosts SEO
  • Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Connect Sphere Café” or “Net Nest” over “Code Brew Café” or “Gamer Grid Hub”
  • A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead and reserve your business name with your state, start the trademark registration process, and complete your domain registration and social media account creation. 

Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick a name, reserve it and start with the branding, it’s hard to switch to a new name. So be sure to carefully consider your choice before moving forward. 

Step 4: Create an Internet Cafe Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

what to include in a business plan

  • Executive Summary: Provide a brief summary of your internet cafe business plan, highlighting your business concept and key financial projections.
  • Business Overview: Describe your internet cafe, including its location, size, and the range of services you’ll offer, such as internet access, computer rentals, and refreshments.
  • Product and Services: Detail the specific services and amenities your internet cafe will provide, including types of computers, internet speed, and any additional services like printing or scanning.
  • Market Analysis: Analyze the local market for internet cafes, considering factors like demand for internet services, customer demographics, and potential growth opportunities.
  • Competitive Analysis: Identify competitors in the area and explain how your internet cafe will differentiate itself, whether through pricing, quality of service, or unique offerings.
  • Sales and Marketing: Outline your marketing strategies, including online and offline advertising, promotions, and partnerships to attract customers.
  • Management Team: Introduce yourself and any key team members involved in running the internet cafe, emphasizing relevant experience in the technology or hospitality industry.
  • Operations Plan: Detail the day-to-day operations of your internet cafe, covering aspects like staff management, equipment maintenance, and customer support.
  • Financial Plan: Present financial projections, including startup costs, revenue forecasts based on expected usage, and profitability estimates.
  • Appendix: Include any supplementary materials, such as floor plans, equipment specifications, and marketing materials, to support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to internet cafes. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your internet cafe will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

types of business structures

  • Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
  • General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
  • Limited Liability Company ( LLC ) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.  Here’s how to form an LLC .
  • C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.  Read how to start a corporation here .
  • S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your  articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

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business plan for small internet cafe

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

business plan for small internet cafe

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

types of business financing

  • Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
  • SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
  • Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
  • Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
  • Crowdfunding: Websites like  Kickstarter  and  Indiegogo  offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like  Fundable  and  WeFunder  enable multiple investors to fund your business.
  • Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding an internet cafe business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.  

Step 8: Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

Starting an internet cafe business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your internet café business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

types of business insurance

  • General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
  • Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
  • Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
  • Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
  • Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
  • Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
  • Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
  • Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.  

  • Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
  • If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Create a website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism. You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

Your customers are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. SEO will help your website appear closer to the top in relevant search results, a crucial element for increasing sales. 

Make sure that you optimize calls to action on your website. Experiment with text, color, size, and position of calls to action such as “Book Now”. This can sharply increase purchases. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

  • Membership Programs: Implement loyalty programs or membership cards offering discounts, free hours, or other perks to encourage repeat business and build customer loyalty.
  • Local SEO  — Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
  • Social Media Engagement: Leverage social media platforms to engage with your local community, share promotions, and create a digital presence that resonates with your target audience.
  • Partnerships with Local Businesses: Establish partnerships with nearby businesses, such as schools, libraries, or offices, to offer exclusive discounts or joint promotions, expanding your reach through cross-promotion.
  • Theme Nights and Events: Host themed nights or events, like gaming tournaments or study sessions, to create a sense of community and attract diverse customer segments.
  • Student Discounts: Offer special discounts for students to attract the student demographic, a key market for Internet cafes, by partnering with educational institutions or advertising in student-centric areas.
  • Referral Programs: Create a referral program where existing customers receive incentives for bringing in new patrons, encouraging word-of-mouth marketing and expanding your customer base.
  • Flexible Pricing Packages: Introduce flexible pricing packages, such as hourly rates, day passes, or monthly subscriptions, to cater to different customer needs and budgets.
  • In-House Promotions: Display in-house promotions prominently within the cafe, showcasing discounts, bundle deals, or limited-time offers to stimulate impulse purchases.
  • Community Involvement: Engage in community events or sponsor local activities to foster a positive image and strengthen your ties with the neighborhood.
  • User Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on online platforms, showcasing the positive experiences others have had at your Internet cafe.

Focus on USPs

unique selling proposition

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your internet cafe meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your internet cafe business could be: 

  • Experience high-speed browsing in a modern and comfortable atmosphere.
  • Connect, collaborate, and create in our state-of-the-art internet cafe.
  • Unleash your productivity with premium Wi-Fi and cutting-edge technology.

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running an internet cafe business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in internet cafes for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in internet cafes. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for an internet café business include:

  • Café attendants – Greet customers, take payments
  • General manager – scheduling, accounting

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run an Internet Cafe – Start Making Money!

Internet cafés provide a valuable service in communities in need. You’re unlikely to become a millionaire by starting an internet café, but the rewards of helping people can be much more satisfying. Giving people access to the internet can help them gain access to information and to find jobs.

Now that you know what’s involved, you’re ready to be on your way to internet café success!

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  • Decide if the Business Is Right for You
  • Hone Your Idea
  • Brainstorm an Internet Cafe Name
  • Create an Internet Cafe Business Plan
  • Register Your Business
  • Register for Taxes
  • Fund your Business
  • Apply for Business Licenses and Permits
  • Open a Business Bank Account
  • Get Business Insurance
  • Prepare to Launch
  • Build Your Team
  • Run an Internet Cafe - Start Making Money!

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How To Open an Internet Café

business plan for small internet cafe

Laxmanrao Kuna

5 min read ·

Internet cafés are quite popular in countries like China and Indonesia, but they also have a presence in the United Kingdom and here in the United States. If you’re not fully sure what this type of business entails, here’s a brief definition:

An internet café , also known as a cyber café, is a business that provides internet access and related services via dedicated computers and other devices. It often offers food and drinks to complement its primary services. Internet cafés differ from coffee shops that offer Wi-Fi in that cafés focus primarily on internet services and provide patrons with the means to access these services.

If you’re considering an internet café launch in the states, be aware of your customer base. In most cases, you’ll be catering to avid gamers, students, and the occasional remote worker. So you’ll want to keep these types of customers in mind as you prepare your launch and make decisions about your business. Keep reading to see what steps you’ll need to take on your cyber café journey.

How to Start an Internet Café: 9 Steps

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. Keep three key things in mind when scouting the city:

  • Is the area near attractions your customer base frequents?
  • Does the area get a lot of foot traffic?
  • Is the area safe?

In addition, the building you develop or lease should be highly visible to ensure customers can easily find you.

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.

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.

Spend some time researching several ISPs, reaching out for quotes, and learning about the type of service guarantees they offer. Remember, this isn’t a decision you should make lightly, so do your due diligence in determining which provider would work best for your café. Be sure to have a secondary or backup provider if your first choice doesn’t deliver as you expect.

7. Determine how to price your services.

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.

If you offer food and drink, decide whether you’ll keep the pricing for these services separate from your internet-related ones or bundle them together. You may choose to keep them separate but also offer package deals that include both.

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 X (formerly Twitter) in your local area . Advertising on Google and Bing (now called Microsoft Ads ) are 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.

The above steps can make opening a successful internet café much easier than figuring it out on your own. Just make sure you curate an environment your customers will love.

Now that you know the essential steps for how to open an internet cafe, you’ll need a reliable hosting platform to launch your business website. Turbify is an excellent choice for internet cafe owners looking for a web hosting home.

Not only does Turbify offer high-performance hosting optimized for the unique needs of internet cafes, but it also provides a suite of tools to help manage your computers, network, and customer experience.

From attracting customers online to managing your day-to-day operations, Turbify is designed to simplify the process of running a successful internet cafe. Its all-in-one platform gives you the power and flexibility to grow your business online.

So when you’re ready to take the next step in opening your internet cafe , consider Turbify as your hosting partner. With top-notch performance, robust management tools, and expert support, you’ll have everything you need to build a strong online presence for your new venture. Start your journey today and experience the difference of hosting your internet cafe website with Turbify.

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business plan for small internet cafe

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start an Internet Cafe Successfully

By Nikita Nielsen · 6. March 2024

Looking to navigate the world of internet cafes📡?

Starting your own can be a fulfilling venture with the right guidance.

This guide gets straight to the point, outlining hands-on advice on how to start an internet cafe – evaluating its viability, selecting the perfect location, fulfilling legal requirements, and optimising day-to-day operations.

Ready to turn your vision into a vibrant community space?

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Market research is key: It’s important to understand the local demand, the demographics of your target audience, and the potential profitability to ensure your internet cafe is set up for success.
  • Location matters, so does compliance: Choose a location that has good foot traffic, like near schools or tourist spots, and take care of the necessary legal work. Licences and permits are essential for operating legitimately.
  • Create a welcoming space with added value: Invest in comfortable furniture and reliable internet service. Offering additional services, such as printing and snacks, can provide extra convenience and keep customers coming back.

Evaluating the Potential of an Internet Cafe Business

internet cafe

Ever heard the phrase “Look before you leap”? In the world of business, this equates to market research.

It’s necessary to gauge the market demand, scrutinise the target audience, and appraise the profitability before plunging into the internet cafe business. But how does one go about this?

To begin with, it’s important to understand the needs of customers within your local area.

Simply put, if there aren’t enough potential customers, your internet cafe business plan could end up being a castle in the air.

Next, while the internet café business can be profitable, it requires a distinctive blend of services and products to maintain profit margins of 20-30%.

Therefore, it’s crucial to develop effective business plans for your internet cafe business!

Market Demand and Trends

The digital world is ever-evolving, and so is the market for internet cafes. Gone are the days when internet cafes were just about providing internet access.

Today, they cater to niche groups like gamers and remote workers looking for shared workspaces.

Cities bustling with students or tourists present favourable opportunities for internet cafés.

Imagine a student needing a quiet place for a group study or a tourist in need of a quick internet connection to upload their travel pictures; your existing internet café could be their go-to spot among existing internet cafes, offering top-notch internet café services!

The local demographic significantly influences the internet cafe demand.

Therefore, identifying the target demographic and the best location is important when determining the market demand for an internet cafe.

Target Audience Analysis

Understanding your potential customer segments and their particular needs is crucial for the success of your internet café.

This knowledge allows you to customise the offerings of your internet café to better cater to customer preferences and enhance satisfaction.

Potential customer segments for internet cafes are as diverse as a rainbow. They could be:

  • Professionals

Quite a mix, isn’t it? Now, imagine offering them services like photocopying or photo printing along with their favourite cup of coffee.

Wouldn’t that increase the chance of them choosing your café over others? And this is exactly why an effective marketing plan for an internet café must consider factors such as age, interests, online behaviour, and location.

After all, understanding your ideal customers can contribute significantly to your internet café’s success.

Profitability Assessment

Money makes the world go round, and in the world of business, it’s all about revenue and cost.

But how does an internet café generate revenue, and what are the key cost considerations?

Revenue in an internet café primarily comes from customers paying by the hour for internet access and making additional purchases like food and drink.

Various factors influence the overall revenue, including the number of computers available, service charges, the number of seats, operational hours, and average customer spending.

On the other hand, key cost considerations encompass expenses related to equipment, utilities, and staffing.

Strategic planning, driven by data and market research, is indispensable for making profitable decisions and grasping market trends that influence the internet café business .

Essential Steps in Setting Up an Internet Cafe

internet cafe setup

Having evaluated the potential of an internet café business, we can now delve into the details of establishing it.

After all, a dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes determination and hard work.

Setting up an internet café involves a series of essential steps including location selection, acquiring licences and permits, and purchasing equipment and infrastructure.

Let’s proceed to dissect the essential steps in constructing your dream internet café!

Location Selection

When it comes to setting up an internet café, location is key🔑. But what makes a location ideal?

A high foot traffic area near:

  • small shops
  • prominent hotels

can leverage existing foot traffic and accessibility, thus drawing more potential customers to your café.

In addition to this, understanding the average income of the local area and assessing the presence of competitors is crucial for selecting a profitable location.

Your internet café needs to be situated where it can flourish on its own merits.

Acquiring Necessary Licences and Permits

Your internet café will need proper documentation to operate legally.

Licences and permits are essential for ensuring that your business complies with local regulations and standards.

For starters, adhering to legal and tax issues is fundamental to any business, including internet cafes.

This involves choosing a legal structure for the business, registering the business name with the state, and acquiring a business permit or cyber café licence.

Remember, it’s more cost-effective to pay the upfront licence and permit fees than to address costlier issues later.

Purchasing Equipment and Infrastructure

Setting up an internet café isn’t just about buying computers and offering internet access. It’s about providing a seamless and enjoyable experience to your customers.

And that begins with purchasing the right equipment and infrastructure, as well as ensuring reliable computer services.

Cost-effective hardware like Chrome devices, Pine64, or Raspberry Pi can provide a casual internet browsing experience.

A high-speed internet connection is essential, along with reliable Wi-Fi📶 equipment that can operate continuously.

Furthermore, a secure network is essential to offer a safe and efficient internet experience for customers.

But the list doesn’t end here. Essential networking hardware, licensed software, printers, visual timers, and negotiations with internet service providers are all part of setting up a reliable network infrastructure.

Designing an Appealing and Functional Space

internet cafe set up

Once the internet café is set up, the subsequent step involves making it visually appealing and functional.

But how does one strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality?

Creating a comfortable environment, ensuring accessibility, and offering complementary services are some of the key aspects to consider.

It’s about creating a space that is not only visually appealing but also caters to the needs of your customers.

Creating a Comfortable Environment

A comfortable environment in an internet café is as essential as internet access itself. But what does a comfortable environment look like?

Comfortable seating encourages longer stays and increased customer satisfaction, leading to more usage and higher revenue.

In addition, proper lighting can reduce eye strain for customers, particularly for those using computer screens for extended times.

Temperature control systems that can be adjusted for different areas of the café can cater to individual preferences, providing a tailored environment that can improve customer experiences.

We shouldn’t overlook the significance of furniture that supports prolonged use.

After all, the longer customers stay, the more they may spend on services offered.

Ensuring Accessibility and Functionality

We’ve all experienced the frustration of a slow internet connection or a difficult-to-use device. In an internet café, guaranteeing accessibility and functionality is of utmost importance.

But how does one achieve this?

Stable internet connectivity📶 is a fundamental requirement for any internet café. Here are some key considerations to ensure accessibility and functionality:

  • Have a backup internet provider to ensure continuous service in case the primary ISP fails.
  • Set up separate Wi-Fi networks for different operational needs to ensure a secure network.
  • Provide alternative input devices and implement software accessibility features to make computers more usable for customers with visual impairments or other disabilities.

In a nutshell, reliability and user-friendly equipment are the keys to ensuring accessibility and functionality.

Offering Complementary Services

While internet access is the main service, offering complementary services can significantly boost your internet café’s appeal.

But what kind of complementary services can an internet café offer? Here are some possibilities:

  • Printing and photocopying
  • Selling stationery items
  • Adding a small snack corner
  • Collaborating with local artists and creatives to display their work
  • Including a small library or reading area with books and magazines

In essence, diversifying your offerings not only caters to various customer needs but also diversifies your income streams.

Developing an Effective Marketing Strategy

internet cafe sign

Once your internet café is established and designed, the subsequent step involves drawing in customers. And that’s where an effective marketing strategy comes into play.

But how does one develop an effective marketing strategy for an internet café?

A potent marketing strategy intertwines online tactics, such as social media advertising and SEO, with offline initiatives like local community outreach.

Promotional strategies can encompass flyers, posters, word-of-mouth and special offers.

After all, marketing is all about reaching out to potential customers and convincing them to choose your café over others.

Online and Social Media Promotion

In today’s digital age, online and social media promotion is as crucial as offering high-speed internet access in your café.

But why is online promotion so important?

Cultivating a social media presence aid in keeping customer engagement through frequent updates on novel services and promotions.

Monitoring website traffic, social media engagement, and implementing influencer partnerships are vital practices for evaluating the impact of online promotional activities.

Offline Advertising and Partnerships

While online promotion is vital, offline advertising and partnerships share an equally significant role in marketing an internet café.

But how does one go about this?

Forming partnerships with nearby educational institutions or local businesses can amplify your café’s reach within the community.

Engaging the local community through hosting events and workshops is another effective way to increase foot traffic and engage potential customers.

After all, your café isn’t just a business; it’s a part of the community.

Special Offers and Membership Programs

Special offers🔖 and membership programs serve as the icing on the cake of your marketing strategy.

But why are they so important?

Special offers like reduced fees for members or free drinks can attract customers during quiet periods and build a regular clientele.

Implementing a loyalty program that rewards frequent visits with a well-balanced point-to-reward ratio can fortify customer loyalty and retention.

After all, retaining existing customers is significantly more cost-effective than acquiring new ones.

Managing Daily Operations and Staffing

With your internet café established and marketing strategy in place, the subsequent step involves managing daily operations and staffing.

But how does one efficiently manage daily operations and staffing in an internet café?

Establishing operating hours and procedures, hiring and training staff, and implementing security measures are some of the essential aspects of managing daily operations.

Establishing Operating Hours and Procedures

Establishing operating hours and procedures is essential for the smooth functioning of your internet café.

It ensures that the café operates efficiently, aligning with customer needs and staff availability.

Regular assessments of these procedures help in maintaining a high standard of customer service and operational effectiveness.

A well-defined work schedule ensures operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Identifying the financial and staffing resources available is crucial before creating employee schedules.

Regularly reviewing past employee schedules can provide insights for creating more effective future schedules.

Implementing Security Measures

In an internet café, customer safety and privacy are of utmost importance. Implementing security measures ensures that your customers can enjoy their time without any worries.

But what kind of security measures should an internet café implement?

Content filtering, traffic logging, and browser restrictions are key cybersecurity measures to maintain customer safety and privacy.

Protection against keyloggers and spyware is crucial to secure sensitive customer information like passwords.

Surveillance cameras and software that take frequent screenshots help monitor and maintain the security of the internet café environment.

In a nutshell, security🛡️ is not an option but a necessity in running an internet café.

Ensuring accessibility and functionality, creating a comfortable environment, and offering complimentary services are key🔑 to designing an appealing and functional space.

An effective marketing strategy combines online tactics like social media advertising and SEO with offline initiatives such as local community outreach.

Establishing operating hours and procedures, training staff, and implementing security measures are some of the essential aspects of managing daily operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an internet cafe profitable.

Internet cafes can be profitable, but it varies based on factors like location, target market, operating costs, and competition. So, it’s important to consider these factors before jumping in.

What do you need to start an internet cafe?

To start an internet cafe, you will need a good location, a business plan, necessary licences, comfortable furniture, computers and equipment, a reliable internet service provider, a pricing strategy, and a business website.

How do Internet cafes work?

Internet cafes work by providing access to computers with high-speed internet for a fee, often in a cosy cafe setting with the option to purchase food and drinks. You can enjoy browsing or working online while sipping a refreshing beverage.

What are the key aspects of setting up an internet café?

Choose a prime location, obtain necessary licences, invest in equipment, create a cosy space, craft a smart marketing plan, and handle day-to-day operations for a successful internet café.

What is the importance of market demand and trends in setting up an internet café?

Understanding market demand and trends is crucial in setting up an internet café as it allows you to tailor your services to niche groups and identify lucrative opportunities in specific locations.

business plan for small internet cafe

Nikita Nielsen

ProfitableVenture

How to Start an Internet Cafe Business

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Technology Industry

Do you want to start an internet cafe? If YES, here is a 19-step guide on how to start a profitable internet cafe business with no money and no experience.

Internet Cafe, often called Cyber Cafe, is a place that provides customers with hi-speed internet access, other computer services and variety of PC games. This business deals with internet time that can be sold per hour or minute and sometimes longer to customers.

This lucrative business is popular in the world of business people, travelers and tourists, but it also finds frequent customers in teenagers and adults who spend a lot of time playing computer games. Internet cafes also offer food and drinks to increase profits and to create a meeting place that customers want to return to.

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When planned very well, this business has the potential of bringing in steady profits. First you have to start with creating a business plan for your internet cafe. Start by stating the types of computer services and food and drink items you hope to offer your customers.

Steps on How to Start an Internet Cafe Business

1. understand the industry.

This business is one of the very few businesses that strive handsomely irrespective of the change in world trends, especially when the business is well located e.g. airports, campus, public facilities or hotels et al. A lot of industry establishments usually provide snacks and drinks, hence the café in the name.

In an internet café, fee for using a computer that is connected to an internet facility is usually charged at a time-based rate. Reports have it that the internet café or cyber cafe phenomenon in the united states started in July 1991 by Wayne Gregori in San Francisco when he began SFnet Coffeehouse Network.

He 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.

The first public commercial American Internet café was started by Jeff Anderson in August 1994, at Infomart in Dallas, Texas and was named The High Tech Cafe. It opened the door for three other internet cafés to be subsequently opened in the East Village neighbourhood of New York City: Internet Cafe opened by Arthur Perley, the @ Cafe, and the Heroic Sandwich.

Industry statistics has shown that this industry is large and there is hardly any airport 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; although a lot of industry players prefer to build their call centres in places where they can

This business will always remain relevant on this computer age and one good thing about starting an internet café business is that, aside from the fact that people will come in to browse the internet; you can also generate enough income by engaging in the sale of coffee and snacks.

You need to strategically position the business and you will be amazed at the rate people would troop to your 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. Conduct Market Research and Feasibility Studies

  • Demographics and Psychographics

The internet is the fire that shapes our world, and people without their own portable PCs and those who cannot afford the cost of private internet access need to use the internet on a frequent basis. These individuals will have to turn to internet cafes to pay for internet access.

This explains why internet cafes are very popular in most parts of the world. Starting this business is a very easy way to generate solid financial returns, but it can backfire if you do not choose the correct systems or adopt the right approach.

One of the things that make businesses breakeven is the number of customers that patronize them per time. The target market for the internet cafe industry is all encompassing because of their service offerings. Below are the people and organizations that you can specifically market your services to;

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

3. Decide What Niche to Concentrate On

Writing a business plan for your internet cafe business has many benefits. An internet cafe business plan will help you figure out if starting your business will be feasible in the first place. It will help you analyse your market and the competition. This document will serve as your guide through the processes of starting and running your business.

It is very important that you define the services your internet cafe will provide to customers. You have to know if you will be offering add-on services such as printing, photocopying, laminating, faxing, CD/DVD burning, food and drinks, internet phone calls, and so on?

Will you be offering wireless internet access to users who have their own PCs with them?  But have it in mind that these additional services will need additional costs, but they will be worth the price provided there is decent demand for them.

The Level of Competition in the Industry

These ever busy cafes are located worldwide, and a lot of people use them when traveling to access webmail and instant messaging services to keep in touch with family and friends. But aside from travellers, in many developing countries Internet cafés are the primary form of Internet access for citizens as a shared-access model is more affordable than personal ownership of equipment.

You need to understand that the variation on the Internet café business model is the LAN gaming centre used for multiplayer gaming. We believe that these cafés have several computer stations connected to a LAN.

The connected computers are custom-assembled for gameplay, supporting popular multiplayer games. Experts believe that this is reducing the need for video arcades and arcade games, a lot of which are being closed down or merged into Internet cafés.

Reports had also shown that there are also Internet kiosks in public places like public libraries, airport halls, sometimes just for brief use while standing.

A lot of hotels, resorts, and cruise ships provide Internet access for the comfort of their guests; this can take various forms such as in-room wireless access, or a web browser that uses the in-room television set for its display (usually in this case the hotel provides a wireless keyboard on the assumption that the guest will use it from the bed), or computer(s) that guests can use, either in the lobby or in a business centre.

Just like the telephone service, many mid-price hotels provide Internet access from a computer in the lobby to registered guests without charging an additional fee.

4. Know the Major Competitors in the Industry

  • Surf n send
  • The forest café
  • Casa Del Corrigedor
  • Café curve
  • Café conquet
  • The Phlegmatic Dog
  • Box car café
  • Télé Centre Polyvalent

Economic Analysis

Internet cafés are simply a modern version of the traditional café. They 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.

But with the advent of technology and the increasing demand for Internet, a lot of pubs, bars and cafés have terminals, so the distinction between the Internet café and normal café is eroded. We believe that the number of pure Internet cafés is reducing especially since more and more normal cafés offer the same services.

Most Internet cafés are private businesses but a lot have been set up to help bridge the ‘digital divide’, providing computer access and training to those without home access. For example, the British government has supported the setting up of 6000 telecentres. Experts believe that this popularity has helped in establishing a strong demand and a sustainable revenue model for most Internet cafés.

But then with the ever growing popularity, there also comes with it a growing responsibility. In fighting for competitive market share, the Internet cafés have started charging less and hence are adopting alternate means to maximize revenue. This includes selling food, beverages, game and telephone cards to its patrons.

5. Decide Whether to Buy a Franchise or Start from Scratch

This business has grown from being just a traditional cafe to a more sophisticated business, which is why buying into a franchise in the Internet cafe industry is far more advisable than starting from the scratch. A franchisee gains more than the right to use a Business Name: You gain both the advantages of the franchisor’s experience and the business’s formula for success.

It simply means that the franchisor aids you choose the site and negotiate the lease, tells you how to lay out the cafe and where to order furnishings, provides information on what equipment you need to use and what your opening inventory should be, and offers you management and technical training.

On the issues of cost, control, expertise, and support, these franchise owners were equally split. A franchise owner incurs more expenses and has less control over her operation, but you gain the experience of the franchisor and other franchisees on what works and what doesn’t.

6. Know the Possible Threats and Challenges You Will Face

Indeed every successful entrepreneur has made his or her share of mistakes along the road to the top. Here are a few things you should take keen note of before diving into this business venture.

Provide a large range of services

We strongly advice that you not only depend on the revenue from surfing the net as has been the tradition in many internet cafes. You can offer other services such as generating and filling online application forms, photo printing, binding, scanning documents, photocopying, lamination and typesetting. You can as well add some soft drinks and snacks at a later date.

We believe that the key to the success of an internet business is based on where it is located. We suggest you locate it along a busy street to attract walk-in customers or close to a learning institution such as colleges and universities.

Internet Speed

Also strive to hook your internet cafe up with a reliable internet connection that can support video streaming without buffering. Speeds of between 2mbps and 5mbps are recommended. Although an unmetered connection is preferred, you can still manage an internet café with a metered internet plan.

7. Choose the Most Suitable Legal Entity (LLC, C Corp, S Corp)

Choosing the best legal entity for your Internet cafe is one of the major decisions you have to make when starting. But then your decision rests on your individual situation and tolerance for risk.

Indeed you can decide to run a successful Internet cafe leveraging any of the available business entity types. You might want to choose between a sole proprietorship and a Limited Liability Company, however, you should consider these differences before you choose.

Expenditures

Forming and running an LLC is more expensive than setting up as a sole proprietorship. But one of the main benefits of starting an internet cafe is the modest upfront investment required. You should know that operating as an LLC can add hundreds of dollars in start-up and maintenance fees to your budget.

Equity Investment

A sole proprietorship is a single-owner business by law, so you can’t raise money or resources for your business by selling some of your equity. But an LLC is formed to allow multiple owners.

Even if you start off as the sole owner of an LLC, you can bring on partners at any time that can infuse money or resources into the business without needing to change the business structure, but you will have to change your business structure when trying to inculcate a partner as a sole proprietor.

Business Liability

One of the key differences between a sole proprietorship and an LLC is the way business liability is seen and handled. Running your business as a sole proprietorship makes you personally responsible for all business debts and crisis, while an LLC protects owners against personal liability.

It all rests on how you set up your Internet cafe, you may be at risk of lawsuits from customers, and if the business can’t pay a judgment, the situation can ruin you financially if you are personally liable.

Troubles and issues

We agree that sole proprietorships are easier to run than LLCs. If you remove the liability factor, sole proprietors have less paperwork to worry about and fewer state and federal obligations. A sole proprietorship may be the best choice if you plan to gradually build up the business and want to spend most of your time on services rather than paperwork.

8. Choose a Catchy Business Name from the ideas Below

  • Eagle Point
  • Black Lotus
  • Master cafe
  • Clean Internet
  • Crimson cafe
  • Internet Redemption

9. Discuss With an Agent to Know the Best Insurance Policies for You

In this business you have yourself, your customers, and your premises to protect, and a flexible policy makes this much easier. When you have the right information and advice, you can choose what’s right for you. Insurance and covers you may need may include…

  • Public liability insurance
  • Employers’ liability insurance
  • Public Liability cover
  • Employers Liability insurance
  • Contents and Stock cover
  • Legal Expenses cover
  • Employment Practices insurance

10. Protect your Intellectual Property With Trademark, Copyrights, Patents

Many entrepreneurs feel not the need to protect their investments, thereby failing to take a similar degree of caution with their designs, ideas, and valuable business information – and leave themselves at risk of theft and counterfeiting.

But then new adjustments to the law have strengthened the protection of designs in the world, and the introduction of simpler patenting processes have made it easier for small businesses like an internet cafe  to look after their IP and intangible assets. Ways to protect your business may include…

  • Identify your intellectual property
  • Get help to find the right protection
  • Watch the competition – and enforce the law

11. Get the Necessary Professional Certification

Customers will always want to know that you know what you’re doing and you are capable of doing your job. Having a prominent certification will go a long way to prove to your customers that you are knowledgeable in the industry.

  • GeForce certified iCafe partners
  • Certified Wireless Security Professional
  • CCNA Certification
  • TESDA Certification
  • MCP Certification

12. Get the Necessary Legal Documents You Need to Operate

First and foremost, an Internet Cafe just like any other type of business needs a basic business license. This can be the paperwork for a sole proprietorship, a limited liability corporation, or any other type of legal set up for a business. An LLC makes a lot of sense because of liability issues that are taken care of, but it is an individual’s choice. Other documents you may need may include…

Food License

A lot Internet cafes also operate as coffee houses which is why there may be additional business licenses needed to run the business. Have it in mind that the exact licenses needed can vary from location to location, but almost anywhere some type of specific health license must be received in order to serve food of any kind.

Seller’s License

A seller’s license is not always needed in all places, or in all types of Internet cafes. Sometimes they are needed if there are physical products that are sold; some states will seek a seller’s license in addition to all the other business licenses for your Internet cafe to run legally.

This is why if the Internet cafe is set up to sell video games, software or any other type of physical equipment, then it would be a good idea to check with the state requirements to make sure you’re fully covered to operate.

13. Raise the Needed Startup Capital

It is your duty to estimate accurately how much start-up capital you’ll need to start up this business. You have to determine your projected annual expenses and gross income using financial projections. You’ll need to have enough capital to cover both your start-up and operating expenses.

If you do not, you will need to take out a loan. Have it in mind that your operating expenses include licenses, permits, insurance, rent or mortgage, a security system, employees’ salaries, computer equipment and software, and professional services such as an accountant or bookkeeper. You can lease equipment or purchase used equipment to save money on operating costs.

  • Use Your Own Savings and Assets for Financing
  • Family members and friends
  • Venture Capitalists
  • angel investors
  • Credit Cards
  • By using Money broker and finder

14. Choose a Suitable Location for your Business

In this business, you will definitely need a location that will attract stable as well as casual customers. Locating near a school or college may attract younger customers, or if you locate near other food cafés or small shops you might be able to catch pedestrians in the area.

It could also be advantageous to locate near large hotels where many business travellers stay. We also suggest that you work with an agent experienced in commercial businesses, who will be able to show you properties that might meet your needs.

We also suggest that you carry out research on your potential business location. Start by searching public records on how the location was used previously and statistical data such as the average income in the area. Find out if there are competitors and similar ventures nearby.

We also suggest that you observe the area for a few hours and analysis the foot traffic in the neighbourhood. You also have to analyze the demographics of the area. Does the income level match the type of clientele you hope to attract? Your local librarian or commercial real estate broker can help provide this information.

15. Hire Employees for your Technical and Manpower Needs

The cost of starting your Internet Cafe rests on the number of client computers and services you plan to offer to your customers. You will definitely need Internet connection (ADSL, Cable etc.), Client computers, Server computer that controls the clients and Networking hardware. Networking hardware is not very expensive, but it still rests on the type of network.

If you plan to have wired network type, switch or router, and networking cables will be necessary. If you plan wireless network you will need to have wireless access point or router and wireless network cards for your client computers.

If required, you can make a combination of wired and wireless network. But then for Internet Cafes that offer only Internet access office programs, there is no need to buy very expensive computers. But if you hope to offer computer gaming, it is largely advisable that you buy high-end graphic cards and processors.

You also have to be very careful when choosing your Internet provider. An internet café’s Internet connection will most likely need a higher grade, more robust connection than a normal household set up. We advise that you negotiate with the ISP as they may offer special deals for businesses, especially Internet cafés. (You also might want to determine if you need a “static IP” address for Local Area Network (LAN) services and or programs).

Also have it in mind that a dynamic IP address will provide a different IP address each time you log on to your computer. Having a dynamic IP address means that you are sharing an IP address with several other customers. You also have to deliberate on your hours of operation, wages and applicable overtime and anti-discrimination laws.

Also when hiring employees, we suggest you hire those who not only are technically savvy and have good references, but are also friendly and easy to work with. Make sure to run a background check on each potential employee before hiring.

The Service Delivery Process of the Business

Hoping that you have your business location and you also have the four client computers set up on the desks and the main server computer too. Now with your internet cables or LAN cables, it’s now time to connect and get them together. You have to start by connecting all the four client computers and the Main server computer to the Network switch or the TP link using the network cables or the LAN cables.

You also need to connect the printer to the same network on the TP-link so that it can communicate to all the computers in the network. After that you will then have to install the printer to every computer in the network so that you are able to print from every client station and the main server too.

After you must have had the computers on the same network and if you have the internet on the main server, make it shareable, then the rest of the client computers will have internet access. From the simplest of devices, one can choose to simply plug in a 3G or 4G modem into the main server computer and it will serve the other clients. Alternatively, some d-link or TP-link devices have internet support.

You just have to plug the network cable into the network switch and you are done. Don’t forget that security is key for any internet based service. The security can be tightened further in the security settings of your network router. You can contact your network provider for further explanations.

16. Write a Marketing Plan Packed With ideas & Strategies

Making your business successful involves more than just your ideas and the services that you provide. It is advisable that you pay close attention to the business side of things and learn how to actively promote your business.

  • Have unique Business cards
  • Referral programs
  • Learn to use the newspapers
  • Get your Networking skills together
  • Make use of the internet

17. Develop Iron-clad Competitive Strategies to Help You Win

Striving and working hard to win and overtake your competitors is very crucial in running a profitable Internet cafe. For you to remain profitable, you need to gain more customers than they do. Ways to do that may include;

  • Be creative
  • Use the Internet
  • Create an intimid
  • Give out free things like free computer related books
  • Strive to get new customers and retaining the ones you already have
  • Give out punch cards
  • Update your marketing strategy

18. Brainstorm Possible Ways to Retain Clients & Customers

The business world revolves around retaining current customers and attracting new clients to help increase money flow and success. This is why you need to analyse your Internet cafes current offerings and service quality to identify areas you can make amends.

We believe that some of the options for increasing your income are low-cost, which means they are easy to implement regardless of how much extra cash you have at hand. Other ways to increase customer retention may include…

Keep fresh client computers for your next user

You shouldn’t allow file saving anywhere on client computer hard disk. This is why it is advised you use Internet Cafe software to block ‘Save’ command completely or just allow ‘Save’ in one hard drive partition and make all other partitions invisible for the customer.

After client computer is once used, Internet Cafe software has the ability to close all previously opened programs or automatically restarts the client’s computer. In this way it always keeps it fresh for your next customer

Give discounts for selling more login tickets in your Internet cafe

We suggest that you make special pricing plans for your members. Try to give discounted prices to your regular members and they will always come back to your Internet Cafe for your services. We also suggest that you attract new members with discounted pre-paid login accounts. Sell more pre-paid time for lower price.

Extra-charging for special and additional services

A lot of people come to Internet Cafes to use the external hardware offered there, maybe because they are not well equipped at home or they simply do not have these electronic privileges. So if you have an Internet Cafe in a place attractive for tourists or a holiday resort, it is fully recommended to allow transferring data from digital camera to cd or flash drive and charge additionally for these services..

19. Develop Strategies to Boost Brand Awareness and Create a Corporate Identity

You need to understand that your brand awareness is what makes you a relevant entrepreneur in any business industry. It is also what makes people know that you exist, what you do and how you do it.

Make your own city network of Internet Cafes

Indeed an Internet Cafe software provides you the ability to network all Internet Cafes via the Internet and share member account database. So with this option, member accounts, created in any networked Internet Café, can be used in all other Internet Cafes.

We suggest that you open a few Internet Cafes in different city areas and sell pre-paid tickets everywhere (in Internet cafe, newsagents, hotel receptions etc.). This way your Internet Cafe business will become very popular and citizens will be happy because of the possibility to use the same login ticket whenever and especially wherever they want.

Provide various items to increase your profit

Internet access and computer gaming are the basic services that can be sold in Internet cafes. Apart from these basic services, we suggest you add items common in coffee and small computer shops. We believe that while surfing the web or playing games, people would like to take something.

Customers will also appreciate full services like ordering drinks without leaving their seats. Have DVDs and flash drives for your sale so your customers can save downloaded files in your Internet cafe.

Share PC game license on your computers to reduce expenses

Note that all Internet Cafes, even home users are allowed by EULA (end user license agreements) to use only the licensed games or programs on their computers. As a small Internet cafe you may not find it expensive, but a bigger cafe will need to buy 50 licenses in the same game, this is will be a huge expense for your business.

But then comes License Key Management option that helps to save money on purchasing license. License Key management service checks the network if there is a license key that is not used and transfer it to the client computer. In this way you can offer the same game to all your client computers with few licensed copies.

Allow multi-player games to increase your membership

We agree that multi-playing is really popular and fashionable these days. Multi-player games can be played over the internet or in local networks. Teenagers and younger children mostly have computers at home and have the ability to play these games over the net. But a lot of them believe it is much more interesting to play multi-player games with the friends at the same location. Allow multi-player games and customers will come to your cafe in groups.

How to Start a Profitable Internet Cafe Business

Do you want to start a cybercafe or internet cafe business? Find here a detailed internet cafe business plan sample checklist for your ready reference.

These days, commonly, people use smartphones for accessing the internet easily. However, a smartphone is not an effective alternative for using the internet for work purposes. Therefore, the demand for high-speed internet cafes is always there.

12 Steps to Start an Internet Cafe/ Cyber Cafe Business

1. do market research.

Conduct market research and find out the gaps that exist in the market, and then prepare a business plan accordingly to explore the opportunity.

2. Select a Location

3. decide on services.

It is important to offer a wider range of services to your customers apart from internet access.  Some of the services you can provide are  the following from your internet cafe or cyber cafe:

4. Write an Internet Cafe Business Plan

Regardless of the size of your business, you must have a business plan. A business plan consists of so many aspects. Additionally, a well-crafted business plan helps to initiate and operate the business properly. Even, if you need startup capital from the banks or investors, the business plan is an essential tool to convince them.

5. Name Your Internet/ Cyber Cafe

It is extremely important to select a catchy and relatable business name for your internet or cyber cafe. A properly chosen business name will not only enhance the overall brand growth but also helps in fetching extra new customers for your cyber cafe. Also, do not forget to check availability and book a website domain name as it becomes difficult to create a website with a domain address similar to the name of the business.

6. Register your Internet Cafe Business

7. procure required licenses.

Generally, starting an internet cafe business demands licensing and permissions from the Govt. authority. However, it hugely varies on the location. Hence, you must check the local laws and regulations. Additionally, talk to the local tax consultants to have a clear idea of upcoming tax liabilities.

8. Buy Equipment Needed to Start an Internet Cafe Business

It is advisable not to compromise the quality of the products. Additionally, never compromise the internet speed also. Basically, people prefer internet cafes for high-speed internet facilities. However, procuring the equipment is as per your financial budget.

9. Setup The Cafe

Apart from the sitting areas, your cafe must have a billing counter and waiting area. Provide high-speed internet and sufficient light inside the room. If it is a load-shedding-prone area, then you must have generator support for providing uninterrupted service.

10. Fix Pricing

11. customer service and support.

You need to train your staff to provide excellent customer service and technical support. Ensure a friendly and welcoming environment for all customers. Furthermore, set up systems to address any issues or complaints promptly to maintain customer satisfaction.

12. Promote Your Cyber Cafe Business

If you want to start an internet-related small retail business, then the internet cafe is the best business to start. Even, it is a great self-employment opportunity for the youths also.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much capital is required to start an internet cafe business, how can i ensure the security of customer data in an internet cafe, can i offer additional services like gaming or online streaming in my internet cafe.

Yes. In fact, offering gaming stations or hosting gaming tournaments can attract a niche audience. However, ensure that your infrastructure can handle the bandwidth requirements for such services.

What are the peak hours for an Internet cafe business?

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How to Set up an Internet Cafe

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Madison Boehm . Madison Boehm is a Business Advisor and the Co-Founder of Jaxson Maximus, a men’s salon and custom clothiers based in southern Florida. She specializes in business development, operations, and finance. Additionally, she has experience in the salon, clothing, and retail sectors. Madison holds a BBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from The University of Houston. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 37 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 878,211 times.

Interested in starting your own internet cafe? Nowadays, access to the internet is more essential than ever. Business travelers, people without their own computers, and tourists are all in need of computer and internet access away from home. In this article, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about setting up an internet cafe of your own so you can focus on launching your business.

Planning Your Internet Café

Step 1 Think about what kind of internet café you'd like to run.

  • Speak with the owners of other Internet cafés and ask about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of business.

Step 2 Research the feasibility of your plan.

  • You can find prices for equipment, furniture and software on the Internet, in catalogues or in office supply stores.
  • Do not choose an area where residents have a high income level, as chances are people have their own computers at home. You also do not want to locate near a library where people can use computers for free.

Step 3 Create a comprehensive business plan.

  • Your business concept: The focus here is on describing your business and the market for your café.
  • Market research: Market research is critical, as it describes the nature of the market you are entering into. Identify who your major competitors are, who your target market is, and the preferences and needs of your target market.
  • A marketing plan: This should describe how you plan on addressing the needs of your market, how you will communicate with customers, and how you will advertise your café.
  • An operations plan: This will describe your operations on a day to day basis. It would include, for example, a timeline, hours the café will be open, and the people and equipment required.
  • A financial plan: This would outline how you will finance your business, what your expected costs are, and five-year projections as to your revenue.
  • Make sure to make your business plan clear and understandable and be able to explain it to anyone, especially those who do not know the technical jargon.

Finding Investment Capital and a Location

Step 1 Estimate how much start-up capital you'll need.

  • Operating expenses include licenses, permits, insurance, rent or mortgage, a security system, employees' salaries, computer equipment and software, and professional services such as an accountant or bookkeeper.
  • You can lease equipment or purchase used equipment to save money on operating costs.

Step 2 Look for investment money.

  • Popular micro lending sites include Kiva, Prosper and Lending Club.

Finding a Good Location and Choosing a Name

Step 1 Find a suitable location for your café.

  • You should know who your clients are.
  • Then position yourself in a suitable area.
  • It is better to start at a small level. You can earn money while you build the shop.

Step 2 Work with a commercial real estate agent.

  • A good alternative would be to take over an existing Internet café that has a loyal client base. A commercial real estate broker will know about these opportunities as well.

Step 3 Conduct research on your potential business location.

  • When you find a potential location, observe the area for a few hours and analyze the foot traffic in the neighborhood. Is it near public transportation or highways? Is there enough parking? [3] X Research source
  • You will want to also analyze the demographics of the area. Does the income level match the type of clientele you hope to attract? Your local librarian or commercial real estate broker can help provide this information.
  • Once you find a location you will need to purchase insurance policies for general liability and fire insurance.

Step 4 Choose a name for your business.

Obtaining the Necessary Licenses and Permits

Step 1 Register your business name with your state government, if necessary.

Setting Up the Hardware and Software

Step 1 Choose an Internet service provider (ISP).

  • A static IP address is for one customer only. A dynamic IP address will provide a different IP address each time you log on to your computer. Having a dynamic IP address means that you are sharing an IP address with several other customers. [5] X Research source

Step 2 Design the layout to fit the space.

  • Install a firewall on your router if it does not already have one to protect your network from worms, viruses and other outside attacks.
  • Find a software solution that will protect your computers from viruses such as virus protection software or live CDs.

Preparing to Open the Business

Step 1 Develop a plan for staffing your café.

  • Your local police department can run the background checks for you.

Step 3 Promote your Internet...

  • Consider having a grand opening with door prizes or discount coupons. Advertise the opening in newspapers, radio stations, Facebook, and on your website. You could also offer local entertainment and food.

Step 4 Listen to and incorporate feedback from your customers.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • Remember to always go the extra mile for your customers. The customer is your first priority. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Your customers' job is to pay and your job is to serve them, making sure they are satisfied and being able to answer any of their questions. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Continue to evaluate your performance as a business and keep track of what works and what does not. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

business plan for small internet cafe

  • Install some sort of basic network traffic monitors without invading your customers' privacy but at the same time, keeping an eye out for excessive bandwidth use. Thanks Helpful 62 Not Helpful 21
  • If copyright infringement is a problem, educate your customers as to what is legal and what is not and consider blocking peer-to-peer ports if it gets out of hand. Thanks Helpful 49 Not Helpful 18
  • Use free software rather than install illegal copies of software on your computers to avoid potential lawsuits. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

  • Business plan
  • Computers (high-quality devices complete with monitors, mouse devices and keyboards)
  • Software (Operating systems, productivity software, gaming software)
  • Networking equipment (routers, switches, cabling)
  • Uninterruptable power supply (UPS) units to protect from power surges

You Might Also Like

Buy a New Computer

  • ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/realestateinvest.asp#axzz2CgrSuYsB
  • ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-choose-the-best-peer-to-peer-lending-site-2011-3
  • ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/73784
  • ↑ https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/do-you-need-an-ein
  • ↑ https://whatismyipaddress.com/dynamic-static
  • ↑ https://www.inc.com/john-treace/recruiting-hiring-4-rules-right-person.html

About This Article

Madison Boehm

To set up an internet cafe, start by renting out a space for your cafe that's near potential customers, like a spot next to a college or a hotel. Then, buy all of the necessary equipment for your cafe, including computers, routers, and printers. You'll also need to find an internet service provider so customers using your computers can access the internet. Before you open your cafe, register with your local government and hire employees to help you run things. To learn how to promote your internet cafe, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS PLAN: Best 2023 Practices With Template (Updated)

  • by Kenechukwu Muoghalu
  • August 13, 2023

internet cafe business plan

Table of Contents Hide

What is an internet cafe business plan, the importance of having an internet cafe business plan, #1. executive summary, #2. company overview, #3. market analysis, #4 competitor analysis, #5. sales and marketing strategy, #6. financial plan, is an internet café profitable, how do i start an internet café, how do i make my internet café successful, what is the target market of internet café, what are the disadvantages of internet cafe, what are the benefits of an internet cafe, let us develop a plan for you, final thoughts, is running a cafe hard, what equipment do i need to start an internet cafe, does the uk have internet cafes.

The one big secret that can ensure the success of every business is the ability to own a working business plan, including that internet cafe business you are about to start. Starting a business in the UK might be an overwhelming task to undertake, but when a business plan is involved, it helps you narrow down the elements needed to strategize a startup business. It helps you stay focused till a huge amount of growth is attained. Without further ado, let’s go into details on why a business plan is important and how you can create an internet cafe business plan using our unique template. 

We have also constructed a pre-made Internet cafe business plan to help you avoid the process of creating one yourself. 

One can define an internet cafe business plan as a living document that harbours the multiple business ideas you have for your enterprise and then tells you how to achieve them. Before starting your internet cafe business, you need to take your time to explain your ideas via a business plan. The essence of this function is to help you understand all the aspects of your ideas before setting up your internet cafe business to run like a well-oiled machine. 

Imagine having a road map that clearly outlines your business ideas for proper assimilation of the actions you need to take and when you need to take them. Don’t you think your business will experience a quick boost and have a long lifespan? Having a great idea for your internet cafe investment is just the first step. Owning a business plan is the most practical initial step.

Aside from the obvious reasons that were mentioned above, a business plan has other vast benefits. Having an internet cafe business plan can help you come up with a lot of important information and facts, including a variety of internet cafe business ideas. When you have this data in hand, you can then come up with a solid plan of action that can guide you in the near future. You can also easily spot all errors and issues that might hamper the growth of your business. 

A business plan can also help you achieve that when seeking grants or any form of financial assistance. It will make your business look credible and thus give them more reasons to offer you the help you seek. A business plan can also help you understand the type of market you wish to operate in, coupled with the types of services that are more profitable in your environment. Knowing this information will surely set you on the right foot. Having explained these benefits, let’s now focus on how you can create your internet cafe business plan using our template below. 

How To Write an Internet Cafe Business Plan

Constructing a business plan requires that you follow a particular pattern to be able to achieve your desired result. A business plan needs to be written in sections or bits, and each section should have a specific function or purpose. To help you get started, we have carefully buttressed each of these sections that are to be contained in a business plan. This internet cafe business plan template is very easy to use and interactive, and will easily help you create a plan. Let’s go into details.

Your executive summary is the first section of your business plan that is mostly concerned with the briefing of other sections contained in your internet cafe business plan. It is more like a summary of the whole contents of the plan, including market analysis, operational plan, sales and marketing plan, etc. Most of the time, your reader might not have the luxury of reading through your business plan. They might decide to come to this section to get a quick overview. While writing this section, it is advised to use a pitching tone coupled with clear and concise language that your reader will find easy to access. You can also complete this part of your plan after constructing other components. 

A company overview section is where you get to talk about your internet cafe company and how it all started. This section should be a brief background history of your business, who the owner is, the products and services you offer, your multiple business ideas that will enhance the growth of the company, your pricing method, and a host of other questions. This will help your reader understand your business concepts and what you aim to achieve. Just as the name implies, this section should really describe your company.

Before you even get to write this section down, you need to run an actual market analysis on your business. When you hear the term “ market analysis ,” then you should understand that it has to do with in-depth research on the internet cafe market. And the reason behind the process is to easily identify who your client base is and how best to offer your services to them. From this same course, you can also decipher what the market trends are, the cost of goods, and the volatility of prices to aid you in making a better decision that suits the market. Although in this case, computers might come off as consumer staples, you can still get to put other discoveries into use.

When you have gathered enough information, then you can carefully explain your points to your readers, as this will prove how credible and vast you are when it comes to the market industry. 

The competitor analysis and the market analysis are likely the same. The only difference is that this section focuses more on your competitors. In this section, you will have to research other top internet cafe owners in your locality and write about them. Find out what their services are and how they offer them to potential customers, among others. From your discovery, you will be able to pick some points that can also be applied to your business. In all, you should be able to tell your readers how your company is unique compared to others.

The sales and marketing strategies should cover all you plan to do to ensure that you run a smooth marketing campaign and promotional plans while attracting customers and creating awareness for your business. You should be able to list out all the marketing tools you will be employing. Remember that these promotional plans can either be carried out through an online presence or using manual methods. You should discuss how you will offer and deliver your services when these customers finally reach out to you.

To develop the financial plan section of your internet cafe business plan using this template, you need to read through the lines and take proper action. A financial plan is most important when seeking funding from a bank or an investor. This means you will take extra care to provide information that will cause your lenders to approve your startup capital. You need to identify how much you will need to start your business, how the funds will be allocated, and in what areas they will be invested. You will also need to state how you will make massive profits in the near future.  

Yes, you can make large profits from running an internet cafe business. Internet cafes normally come with a short payback period. In essence, it means that you do not need to wait for ages before you start making reasonable returns. If you take all sectors of your business seriously, you will surely succeed while running an internet cafe business.

The process of starting an internet cafe is not much of a big deal, but if you choose to start on the right path, then follow these steps accordingly. 

  • Find a conducive location to set up your business
  • Create a working business plan
  • Get important licenses and permits
  • Get your computers and other equipment right
  • Perform some marketing strategies and give out promotional offers
  • Get to business. 

It is one thing to open an internet cafe, and it is another to make it successful in a vast market where you are merged with numerous competitors. But you can still be afloat by keeping strictly to some steps. To make your internet cafe successful, you need to:

  • Manage your computers and keep them ready for your next customer
  • Offer discounts for selling more login tickets in your internet cafe
  • Having vast options for special and additional services that you can extra-charge
  • Get a game license
  • Give options for multiplayer games 

As an internet cafe owner, you should focus your attention on individuals that do not have access to a computer, the internet, or those that cannot access some functions on their computers. It should be purely based on people who are in need of the services you offer. So, during your marketing campaign, you will need to focus on that audience. It could be a student or an in-house parent that is in need of a fast connection or a large screen. 

Aside from the multiple advantages that come with owning an internet cafe, there are also some disadvantages you should not ignore. It could be an issue of privacy. You will find out that most internet cafes are not secured. This is because if you fail to clear the recent operations that were done on the computer, a stranger might have access to your private information. Other disadvantages might be staffing, risk of failing, and countless responsibilities, among others. 

There are numerous benefits to running an internet cafe. These benefits include: no equipment hassle, low startup cost, the luxury of working from different locations, ease of setup; and a host of others. If you have been having doubts about opening an internet cafe business, then don’t. You shouldn’t forget that you can easily set it up and manage it effectively till it starts yielding profits. 

Most people won’t tell you this, but creating a business plan can be fun and daunting at the same time, especially when it’s your first time trying. 

But because time waits for no man, you have to take the easier route out, and for this reason, we have created a ready-made internet cafe business plan for your convenience. 

Over the years, businessyield consult has specialised in creating professional business plans and, so far, has helped millions of businesses stand on their feet, and we are happy to help you too. Get started here .

Creating a business plan is not an impossible task to perform. Especially when you have all the right facts about your business. You can easily create one for yourself or still reach out for our pre-made option here . Remember that after creating your internet cafe business plan using our unique template above, you should always refer back to it and make a few edits from time to time. Doing this will help you stay right on track. Rightly employing these actions in your new startup will always enhance growth. 

Running an internet cafe comes with numerous responsibilities, no doubt, including handling bustling workdays, working long hours, and handling other difficult moments. But this is mainly faced by beginners who are still having a change in the new environment. Once you settle into it, you will find it less difficult, so don’t be discouraged.  

To effectively run your internet cafe and set it up in the right manner, you need to make provisions for some necessary equipment you will be needing. You will need software, a good number of PCs or computers, a router, a central internet server, chairs and workstation tables, a location, legal licensing from local authorities and labour. 

The UK has a widespread internet cafe brand, with branches open across the country. ranging from small to big brands that make tremendous profits from the services they offer. Even in some remote areas, you would be able to trace businesses that offer web surfing services. 

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

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

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)

Testimonial 2

I am extremely pleased with the business plan and financial statements. The business plan is very detailed & it meets my requirements. I feel better equipped with tools that can help me secure funding.  I would have no hesitation of recommending your business plans to other people.

Testimonial 6

It is with excitement and pleasure to inform you that I have been successful in securing a loan from my bank. This would not have been possible if not for the BizBolts Business Plan. Thank you for your help, my dreams are now coming true.

Testimonial 4

The business plan was very helpful, you did a great job of taking ideas and putting them into words as well as pointing out other aspects of the business plan I wouldn’t have thought of. I got funding using your business plan and it’s now 4 months since I started my poultry business, and everything is going well.

Testimonial 3

The business plan has a highly professional look and feel. The research really helps me look deep into the market that I am targeting, it’s well suited for the South African market. The business plan clearly outlined everything I need to start the business and the costs. It’s now easier to budget and plan. Thank you very much.

Testimonial 1

Many thanks to the BizBolts team for putting together a fantastic business plan, I could not have done this business plan on my own. I managed to get funding from investors to start my butchery business using your business plan.

Testimonial 7

Thank you BizBolts for the business plan. I received the business plan immediately after payment, it was money well spent ! I was able to easily edit the business plan. After using the BizBolts business plan, I can wholeheartedly recommend their products and skills.

Testimonial 5

The BizBolts poultry business plan led us down the path from start to finish. Contact details of suppliers of key requirements were included in the business plan. It helped us crystallize our strategy, and the business plan was well received by the bank.

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.

We have several payment methods which you can use.

Payment Method 1 (Visa card, Mastercard, Credit card, Debit Card)

Click  Buy Now  below to purchase. After you have purchased, you will instantly see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. We will also email you the download link. Get instant access to the business plan now!

business plan for small internet cafe

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once using Visa Card/MasterCard then  click here: Business Plans Store

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.

Payment Method 2 (Instant EFT - FNB, Absa, Standard Bank, Nedbank, CapitecBank, Investec, TymeBank and African Bank. )

business plan for small internet cafe

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Call/Whatsapp us on +27606334830 for the other payment methods. (Whatsapp us by clicking the link https://wa.me/27606334830 ). Email: [email protected] .

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BizBolts (Pty) Ltd is a business research company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We sell prewritten business plans for various industries including livestock production, crop farming and retail businesses. BizBolts also publishes articles on business ideas, business news, business tips, personal finance, and entrepreneur profiles.

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COMMENTS

  1. Internet Cafe Business Plan Template (2024)

    5/1/202X - Finalize contract to lease office space. 5/15/202X - Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Internet Coffee Cafe. 6/1/202X - Finalize contracts for Internet Coffee Cafe vendors. 6/15/202X - Begin networking at industry events. 6/22/202X - Begin moving into Internet Coffee Cafe.

  2. Internet Cafe Business Plan Example

    Cash at End of Period. $103,840. $215,760. $407,985. Download This Plan. Explore a real-world internet cafe business plan example and download a free template with this information to start writing your own business plan.

  3. Internet Cafe Business Plan: Full Guide

    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).

  4. Internet Café Business Plan [Sample Template for 2022]

    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 ...

  5. Starting an Internet Cafe Business Plan (PDF)

    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:

  6. Internet Cafe Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    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.

  7. Free Internet Cafe Business Plan Template + Example

    1. Don't worry about finding an exact match. We have over 550 sample business plan templates. So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details. Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

  8. How to write the business plan for an internet cafe

    The written part of an internet cafe business plan. The written part of an internet cafe business plan usually consists of 7 comprehensive sections. From crafting an executive summary to presenting your financials, let's have a look at each of the key sections that compose a business plan. 1. The executive summary.

  9. Building Your Internet Cafe Business Plan

    Starting an internet cafe business requires a significant investment. According to industry estimates, the startup costs can range from $25,000 to $50,000, which covers expenses such as lease, renovations, equipment purchases, licensing and permits, initial inventory, staffing, and marketing ( Medium ).

  10. Internet Cafe Business Plan

    A: An Internet café business plan is a written ⁢plan that outlines the steps needed to start and run an Internet café. It includes details regarding ⁢the location, equipment, staffing, and marketing, among other things.‌ Having a business plan helps ensure that a business⁣ has a blueprint in place for its success.

  11. Surf and Serve: Launching Your Internet Cafe Business

    Executive Summary: Provide a brief summary of your internet cafe business plan, highlighting your business concept and key financial projections. Business Overview: Describe your internet cafe, including its location, ... The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan.

  12. How To Open an 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 ...

  13. Internet Café Business Plan

    Capital West Advisors is one of the most experienced business plan writing firms in the U.S. and has developed numerous internet café business plans. Call Us At (888) 300 3090; Home; ... an Internet cafe business plan can include additional information or sections, such as marketing strategy or industry analysis. However, the fundamentals ...

  14. Your Guide to Starting an Internet Café

    Next, while the internet café business can be profitable, it requires a distinctive blend of services and products to maintain profit margins of 20-30%. Therefore, it's crucial to develop effective business plans for your internet cafe business! Market Demand and Trends. The digital world is ever-evolving, and so is the market for internet ...

  15. How to Start an Internet Cafe Business

    Steps on How to Start an Internet Cafe Business. 1. Understand the Industry. This business is one of the very few businesses that strive handsomely irrespective of the change in world trends, especially when the business is well located e.g. airports, campus, public facilities or hotels et al.

  16. How to Start an Internet Cafe Business in 12 Steps

    Conduct market research and find out the gaps that exist in the market, and then prepare a business plan accordingly to explore the opportunity. 2. Select a Location. Location plays an important role in this business. If you already have a retail space is good. Otherwise, you can consider having a space to rent.

  17. 6 Ways to Set up an Internet Cafe

    3. Create a comprehensive business plan. Enumerate every detail for your Internet café from computers that you will need to purchase to long-term operational costs. Incorporate the results from your previous market research and explain how your café will stay profitable over time.

  18. INTERNET CAFE BUSINESS PLAN: Best 2023 Practices With Template (Updated)

    To help you get started, we have carefully buttressed each of these sections that are to be contained in a business plan. This internet cafe business plan template is very easy to use and interactive, and will easily help you create a plan. Let's go into details. #1. Executive Summary.

  19. PDF JavaNet Internet Cafe

    JavaNet Internet Cafe — Sample Plan This sample business plan was created using Business Plan Pro®—business planning software published by Palo Alto Software. This plan may be edited using Business Plan Pro and is one of 500+ sample plans available from within the software. To learn more about Business Plan Pro and other planning

  20. How to Write a Business Plan For Opening a Cafe

    Section 3: Study Your Competition. The next part of your business plan is usually referred to as the Competitive Analysis. It explains how your cafe will compete with similar food and beverage businesses—including big coffee chains like Starbucks and fast food giants like McDonald's.

  21. Starting an Internet Cafe Business in South Africa

    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.

  22. PDF Business plan Internet-café Kasama, Zambia

    1.3 Missions. The mission of our internet-café is to make the internet available to a greater population. In such a way that the Kasamian population will have access to all the sources which can be found on the internet. Also the internet café should be a place where one can relax and play some games.

  23. Small Business Internet Service

    Test Drive: Cancel within 15 days of Small Business Internet service activation. Limited-time offer; subject to change. Qualifying new Small Business Internet line and timely gateway return required. Refund via one-time bill credit. Max 1/account. May not be combinable with some offers or discounts. Contract Freedom: Limited-time offer; subject ...

  24. Small Business Phone Plans & Wireless Solutions

    Keep your small to medium-sized business connected with our affordable phone plans, reliable service, and the latest phones & devices. ... new account, and regular-rate Go5G Business, Go5G Business Plus, or Business Unlimited plan required. Go5G Next plans not eligible for free line promotion, but discounted line available for $10/mo. with ...