I'm looking to start up a small internet cafe. Yea that's a mouthful right there but bare with me, I need to start somewhere. First step is to look into a spot to put the cafe. I've called a few retail dealers and they mentioned something about dealing with sales tax and all that jazz. Basically what kind of zone should I be looking for? And what is the "going rate"? Thanks
Where are you located? (country) In the US and UK, I image the demand for internet cafes must be dieing, as the internet becomes more accessible, unless of course you offer something a bit different. Maybe have high quality gaming PCs, double up as a cafe etc. The best place to be would be where you are most visible I imagine, so maybe on a corner? Good luck with your venture! -nmx
Visibility isnt going to matter if the people in that street don't need/want internet access. This is only guesswork as I've done no research on it, but I would think an area that was too affluent wouldnt work as everyone would have pc's/high speed net at home. Potentially areas around colleges/uni's might be good, if they dont have good free net access wherever you are. There is a huge internet cafe (3 floors) in glasgow city centre near me, it is always really busy as its very cheap and centrally located. But the start up cost for that must have been huge, its in a building worth probably £3m+. There was a net cafe that opened right next to a local college and done really well, but when the college gave everyone free net access it pretty much closed overnight. I would do research wherever you plan to open, canvas people in the street if neccessary.
i would say target a place where the median age is 30+ most older people don't use the internet so if they ever needed to they could stop by and you know that they aren't as tight with their money as younger people. this would also help with costs because you wouldn't have to buy top performance computers because they wouldn't need it for the gaming aspect.
You really do need to find a new twist on the theme these days given how far the price of the net has dropped and even "emergency" type use is decreasing as more people have email enabled mobiles etc. The only one I have seen recently that is in anyway busy was set up as a "bloke refuge" next to a whole host of female fashion stores - wife/ partner goes shopping, you go play on the net or on the games consoles. Start up costs naturally very high and their running costs will be having to maintain latest games with the relevant license and having such a high profile location. Whilst it was busy, have no idea if it is profitable.