How to keep your Internet Cafe alive/afloat

Putting a Internet Cafe can be easy but maintaining is the problem.  With lots of competition like pisonet that does not pay proper taxes it can sometimes be a daunting task.  Hopefully with some tips can help you with your business. 

1.  Listen to what customer is suggesting.

This is self explanatory customer will use your PC for their needs.  Their needs can vary from     accounting software up to certain games.  Always be on a look out for this kinds of customer.  This customer will turn your Internet cafe into an office if you treat them right therefore having a steady income.

2.  Do some research about new games or software that customer will probably use.  

Look for games the customer will probably like.  For example lots of your player played First person shooters .  Then install a multiplayer FPS game or single player.  Experiment see what sticks.  Giving players something new every now and them will keep them coming back.     

3.  Sell other products like food and Cellphone Load and game Top up.

Sell food like pop corn and drinks.  Here is the trick here popcorn is salty, salty food makes people thirsty.  When people are thirsty they buy drinks.  While Load/Top up is very important to stay connect and message people.  And the last is game top up, this one is use to buy in game items on the online games that people plays. 

4.  Make a website and put ads.  

I usually use my website as a notebook.  I put troubleshooting techniques, available games, gadget reviews for future reference, prices services, and updates.  What better way to also earn by monetizing your website.

5.  Invest in stocks.

There are a couple of ways to earn in stocks here are some example.   Earn for dividends, buy stocks from companies that give dividends.  Buy and sell stocks just remember the golden rule in stock buy low sell high.

6.  Invest in mutual funds

Buy mutual funds set it for one year,  usually I use my tax money for this I set my mutual fund one year before I pay my taxes and withdraw days before paying.   
 
7.  Make a youtube channel and monetize it.

Similar to a website youtube channel can be monetize to earn money.  Your channel will not just serve as future guide for problem that may arouse again.  If you did not manage to earn some money at least you have a reference to help you on your trouble shooting.   like hitting two birds with one stone. 

8.  Report illegal internet cafe.  

It is unfair that you pay taxes and this people do not.  You'll lose potential customer against people who just want to earn money more.  We are not against competition just do it legally so the government can benefit from it also.  This kind of establishment is unregulated by the government and can do illegal stuff.  So to counter this treat that gives Internet cafe a bad reputation, why not report them.  Try to report them to your ISP if they are doing it for business or home use only.  Just make sure you have basis for this.       

9. Offer download service.  

Just make sure you do not download illegal stuff.  You can download installer for online games.  Documents your customer made.  School project that the teacher posted on their website. 

10.  Do some printing jobs.

Almost 50% of the earning of my shop is through printing. Think about it, a full page printing is about 15 php while one hour of PC rental is about 15 php.  You just need a good printer, I recommend cannon.  CISS can be attach at a cannon printer for cheaper ink.  The only downside of this printer is the Copier is only for A4. Using  a legal bond paper for xerox is impossible.  

11.  Do research jobs

Not all the people can do research, maybe they need to do something important.  For a fee research for them, 

12.  Use free software in the internet. 

Licensing software can be costly.  Why not try free software from the internet. For example use open office instead of Microsoft word.  Open office is a free suite that you can download for free at https://www.openoffice.org/.  Google also have a similar product called google docs. 

7zip is compression tool that also serve as an encryption software.  

There are lots of free software in the just have the patience to look for them.

 
13.  Time deposit your excess money.

Not as effective as mutual funds but less effort.  you just need to deposit your money and time deposit it.  Your money will earn interest, it may vary from bank to bank.
 
14.  Use solar power / wind turbine.

The initial invest of solar is about 25k.  But if you manage to save 500 php a month it will totally add up.  It is a known fact the high price of electricity is a reason why most small and medium business close.  What we can do is adopt, now is the best time for that.   The prices of solar panel became cheaper so it is feasible to buy today. 

15.  Keep an eye on player trend setters  

These are the people that introduce games to other players.  They genuinely like and enjoy the game. (Similar what Pewdiepie does)  People become curious and play the game and produce a chain reaction.