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Selling businesses to offer Free Wifi service to customers.......

by bbminded
9 replies
Any opinions/advice on starting an offline business where in which you sell local businesses on the product and services of offering free Wifi through social media.
For example, you could contact restaurants, and explain how they can increase business by simply offering free Wifi to their customers if they go online and Like the business on facebook. But also requiring the customer to leave their contact info(email addy, phone#, home address), this way the restaurant can market to these people.
#businesses #media #selling #service #social #wifi
  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    What do businesses pay for this service?
    What is the profit for signing up a business?
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    Deliver Bigger.
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    • Profile picture of the author bbminded
      Maybe buying high-end routers in bulk, and charge an ongoing fee to manage their social network(s) marketing.
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      • Profile picture of the author bbminded
        Also a good way to create leads that you can potentially upsell other services to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author masterwolf
    I am interested. Do you have a solution? I have a nightclub that wants to offer WiFI, but can't due to security issues.
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  • Profile picture of the author Norbi
    You should talk to PayWithATweet -- see if they can create something custom where a user would only get the WiFi if they tweet they are there.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    All the hotels and restaurants where I live offer free wifi.
    Have for years. It's a given.

    And, it's kind of a dying technology with 3G and 4G
    being available just about everywhere.

    Dan
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    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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  • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
    There is standard software out there that will allow you to require an email to sign in or a code that can be given per purchase. The biggest difficulty is persuading the shop owner that it is a good idea. independent coffee shops many times worry that people will loiter when they miss the psychological effect of having a full shop. One of my customers said there is a noticeable difference having a full shop versus empty. A lot of momentum and that is what you need to sell the shops on.
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

      There is standard software out there that will allow you to require an email to sign in or a code that can be given per purchase. The biggest difficulty is persuading the shop owner that it is a good idea. independent coffee shops many times worry that people will loiter when they miss the psychological effect of having a full shop. One of my customers said there is a noticeable difference having a full shop versus empty. A lot of momentum and that is what you need to sell the shops on.
      This hits on the issue that will hold you up. They for whatever reasons don't want to offer wifi. There will be few businesses IMO who do not know they can offer wifi. Of course their reasons will vary but here are a few.

      1. Need to turn tables faster. This is basically what was said above but has a valid reason behind it. They are busy and don't have enough seating most of the day. They have a valid reason to fear people staying longer. This IMO will be the hardest to overcome as there is a true business reason against it.

      2. Security: They fear people getting into their network via the wifi. This is why our dealership doesn't offer free wifi. Our IT Manager doesn't believe the benefit is worth the risk. And we can have people waiting for service for hours. There is a business benefit but it does not outweigh the risk. Can you create security that they will trust?

      3. Piracy: This is actually one of the things holding back many businesses including camp grounds. The RIAA and their sue happy fest has scared some business owners. A small business owner can not afford a lawsuit like that. Can you create security that will block piracy?

      4. Cost: Some small businesses don't even have internet for their businesses. Can you show the ROI is worth the cost to them? This should be the group easiest to convince.

      5. Bandwidth: This is one I know first hand and is the second reason our dealership doesn't offer free wifi. We can't get enough bandwidth for our staff let along customers. Often times this can be overcomes via the cost. You can show a ROI that justifies getting a better internet connection. But if there isn't one offered (or the price is too much) you may have an issue.

      As for the idea it doesn't seem real clear how you plan to make money on this. It seems like the beginning of a business idea but not fleshed out yet.
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      Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author hardyfella
    I mentioned about free wi-fi here http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ree-wi-fi.html which could be then used to sell additional services..... I still think it could be a very neat way to at least have a foot in the door.... there are solutions out there which let you use there existing broadband connection (if they have one) but keeps it separate to the work devices.
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