Free Wifi is a perk that some cafes, restaurants, and businesses offer to customers. Most restaurants already have Wifi to run their point of sale systems. You can upgrade to an affordable small business Wifi plan and offer it to customers. Instead of offering free nuts and candy, businesses offer Wifi as a freebie. Depending on what kind of restaurant you have, free Wifi may be worth offering to customers.

Why offer free Wifi to customers?

It can encourage them to stay longer, hopefully ordering more food and drinks. Your cafe can become a virtual workspace or a meet up for clients, attracting new customers. Students can choose to have a sandwich and a cup of coffee are your restaurant instead of the library.

According to the LA Times (data from consulting firm the Yankee Group)

  • “96 percent of respondents prefer businesses that offer free Wifi”
  • “79 percent of businesses say it keeps customers happy while they wait for service”
  • “64 percent of respondents have chosen a restaurant based on free Wifi availability”

How much does Wifi cost?

Wifi plans are priced by the amount of data used and speed. The prices can also vary depending on the provider. Only some providers will offer business Wifi in your area. A medium sized restaurant will not need the same Internet power as a large office space. Many providers offer small business Wifi, which is more powerful than home Wifi, but less than what a large office or building would need.

Example:

AT&T small business Wifi starts at 60 dollars a month for 100 Mbps Internet speed with a price-lock guarantee of two years. Installation can cost up to a 100 dollars, but you may be able to find free installation with a promotion.

How fast should a small business Wifi be?

According to Quickbooks, 10 users will need 1.2 Mbps, 20 users will need 2.4 Mbps.

Should I make customers use a password for the Wifi?

If you live in a densely populated area, with lots of apartments nearby, you may find moochers. People who live in range of your Wifi may use it if there is no password. If there isn’t many houses or apartments nearby, the chance of moochers is lower. If you find that people are coming in just for the Wifi, you could choose to only give out the password with a purchase.

Facebook Check-in for Free Wifi

Some routers allow you to give customers Wifi access after they have “checked in” to your business’s Facebook page. Facebook check-in can help grow your social media presence and potentially reach new customers. Whenever customers check in at your business, all of their Facebook friends can see it. You can also give a “time out,” only allowing customers to use the Wifi for an hour or two after checking in.

Marketing

Make sure to advertise that you’re offering free Wifi. You can add “free Wifi” to your attributes under your Google My Business page. You can add a sticker to your door, or post about it on your social media channels.

Some business Internet providers offer “splash pages,” which is similar to a landing page. When a customer wants to sign on to your Wifi, they are taken to a landing page where you can add custom content before they are connected. You can offer promotions, coupons, or show an event calendar. You can choose for the Wifi to be password protected or just put a “connect” button that will let them use the internet.

Customers are beginning to expect free Wifi at cafes and smaller restaurants. Free Wifi is also welcome at even larger restaurants and chains. It can encourage customers to post pictures on social media, which is free advertising. You can attract new customers looking for a spot to do work and grab a coffee or a bite to eat. Your restaurant or cafe could be a meetup place for businesses and virtual employees.