If you’re considering starting an internet café, you’ll need to think very carefully about who your target market will be.
Remember, the world has changed since the 1990s. Many people have mobile data and this means they can go online anywhere they want and don’t need to go to a specific place – like an internet cafe.
This means your market will be limited to either those who don’t have regular access to the internet or those who prefer using a computer in an internet café.
Alternatively, you will need to give people a reason other than internet access to visit your café.
In this article, we’ll study the target market for an internet cafe and explore some of the reasons why people still want to visit one.
Who is the Target Market for an Internet Cafe?
To best understand the target market for an internet cafe, we need to first understand the reasons why someone might need to go to an internet cafe.
By understanding people’s motivations for needing an internet cafe, we can divide this market into customer segments and study each segment on its own.
With such needs-based segmentation, internet cafe businesses can provide services and sell products that will attract customers to them.
Such an analysis gives us the following customer segments:
- People who do not have internet access at home or on their phones
- People who need internet access on a computer with a screen
- Students looking for a quiet place to study and do research
- People who want to play online games
- People who want to use specialized software that they can’t install on their own computers
- People who need to print documents
- People who don’t own a computer but need one for a specific task
Let’s look closely at each of these market segments.
1. People who do not have internet access at home or on their phones
The most common reason why people visit internet cafes is that they don’t have internet access at home or on their phones.
This customer segment is typically made up of people who live in rural areas, people who can’t afford to pay for home internet, or people who don’t have a reliable internet connection.
For these people, an internet cafe provides a way to get online and do the things they need to do.
2. People who need internet access on a computer with a screen
Another common reason people visit internet cafes is that they need to use a computer with a screen.
This customer segment of the target market for an internet cafe is typically made up of people who don’t own a computer or people who are traveling and don’t have access to a laptop.
Many people do a lot of online work on their mobile phones because these days there’s an app for everything. But from time to time they may need a large screen.
And going to an internet cafe only when they need it is more affordable than buying their own computer.
3. Students looking for a quiet place to study and do research
Students, especially when they are working in a group, need a quiet and distraction-free place to study and do research.
An internet cafe can provide such a space and also offer the added bonus of fast internet access and computer use.
Of course, libraries also provide these services but they may not always have the latest technology or be open late. Besides, libraries have rules that prohibit discussion which might be necessary for group work.
If your internet cafe can offer a corner or a room for students to work in, it would be a big selling point.
4. People who want to play online games
Like we said in the introduction, you need to give reasons other than internet access to attract people to your internet cafe. A perfect magnet is online games.
With the growing popularity of online games, there is a big market for people who want to play them. And an internet cafe can be the perfect place to do it.
Many online gamers prefer to play in an internet cafe because it offers a better gaming experience than playing at home on a computer or phone.
The fast internet connection and large screen make for a much better gaming experience.
So if you want to attract this customer segment, make sure you have the latest and greatest games installed.
And if you could have a gaming room or corner with the right set-up, you would be sure to draw in a crowd.
5. People who want to use specialized software that they can’t install on their own computers
There are certain pieces of software that require a powerful computer, lots of memory, a special graphics card, or additional hardware to run properly. Examples include high-end video editing software or graphic design software.
People who want to use this type of software often visit internet cafes because they can’t afford to buy such a powerful, specialized computer or they don’t need it often enough to justify the purchase.
Of course, your internet cafe will need not just such powerful machines but also the required software installed.
But remember that customers will be willing to pay more than a little extra if they know they can get their work done quickly and efficiently.
6. People who need to print documents
When people need to print documents but don’t have a printer at home or in their office, an internet cafe with printing facilities can be a lifesaver.
Sometimes, people need to print in large quantities or on special paper that their home printer can’t handle.
So if you can offer a printing service at your internet cafe, you are sure to attract this customer segment.
7. People who don’t own a computer but need one for a specific task
The final segment of the target market for an internet cafe that we will review includes people who not just do not have internet access but do not even own a computer.
These people might need to use a computer for a specific task, such as filling out an online form or buying a flight ticket. So an internet cafe can provide them with the perfect solution.
Of course, you will need to make sure that your internet cafe has computers that are easy to use for people who are not comfortable with them.
You might also want to offer some help and guidance to these customers so that they can complete their task quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
The target market for an internet cafe includes people who do not have access to a computer, to the internet or those who do not have a computer that is sufficient to meet their needs.
This could be people looking for a fast connection or a large screen. It includes students looking for a quiet place to study and do research.
People who want to play online games will also go to an internet cafe as will those who want to print documents that they cannot print at home or at work.