![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
How to run a wifi cafe?
« previous entry | next entry »
May. 11th, 2008 | 11:38 pm
Buddy of mine just opened a cafe. The focus is on chocolates, but they have the usual coffee, crepes, cakes, etc.
So DSL+wifi went in yesterday. Now the question:
How to make the geeky road warriors happy, while not totally losing money on leeches who buy a $3 cup of coffee and camp out all day occupying valuable table space?
At Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto, they take down the WiFi on weekends.
How do other people do it?
I suggested that he might offer an $18.88 bottomless cup of coffee plus any one food item; laptop people would be encouraged to order that, with the understanding that they're really paying rent.
Or, when every table is filled, and there's a line waiting, waiters could deliver pointed hints.
Suggestions?
So DSL+wifi went in yesterday. Now the question:
How to make the geeky road warriors happy, while not totally losing money on leeches who buy a $3 cup of coffee and camp out all day occupying valuable table space?
At Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto, they take down the WiFi on weekends.
How do other people do it?
I suggested that he might offer an $18.88 bottomless cup of coffee plus any one food item; laptop people would be encouraged to order that, with the understanding that they're really paying rent.
Or, when every table is filled, and there's a line waiting, waiters could deliver pointed hints.
Suggestions?
(no subject)
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
obra
date: May. 11th, 2008 04:25 pm (UTC)
Link
What I have never seen, but which I imagine would work "better" is table-service. Every half-hour, the waitstaff show up and ask you what they can get you. It's more likely to lead to revenue or a sense of discomfort without being obnoxious
Reply | Thread
(no subject)
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
2shortplanks
date: May. 12th, 2008 11:48 am (UTC)
Link
Half the problem when you're "camped out" is that it's HARD to get up and get another coffee no matter how much you want one. Do you stand up and risk losing your table? Do you leave your laptop there? I don't like either of these options.
If you're smart, you'll also add an intranet page that lets you order coffee (or, at least, summon wait staff)
Reply | Parent | Thread
Time limit
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/openid-profile.gif)
rikkus.info
date: May. 11th, 2008 04:59 pm (UTC)
Link
1. Customer makes purchase.
2. Customer sees sign which says '1hr wifi with each purchase over £x. Ask for password.'
3. Customer asks for password.
4. Randomly generated password written on scrap of paper and given to customer.
5. Customer logs in for up to an hour.
Reply | Thread
Re: Time limit
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
shevek
date: May. 11th, 2008 08:57 pm (UTC)
Link
Reply | Parent | Thread
Re: Time limit
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
gconnor
date: May. 12th, 2008 05:26 am (UTC)
Link
Reply | Parent | Thread
(no subject)
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
gconnor
date: May. 11th, 2008 06:19 pm (UTC)
Link
Another idea might be to actually charge $$ for the wifi, or only charge $$ if the usage is over 2 hrs?
hmm, tough problem anyway.
Reply | Thread
(no subject)
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
flipzagging
date: May. 11th, 2008 06:22 pm (UTC)
Link
This cafe has an extraordinary sense of community, so maybe that's part of it. Not sure if that's replicable in every business.
Reply | Thread
(no subject)
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
radiantsun
date: May. 12th, 2008 09:30 pm (UTC)
Link
Reply | Thread
(no subject)
from:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
gugod
date: May. 26th, 2008 05:24 am (UTC)
Link
If the cafe is serving good coffee, I think one *reasonable* approach is to provide a rather slow bandwidth. This way people will not be staying there for long, but will still be there for good coffee.
Customers searching for good internet connection but not good coffee will end up not going much, but that should a good thing. IMHO.
Reply | Thread