Is an internet cafe still a viable business in the Philippines?
@manaoagmemoirs (912)
Philippines
October 8, 2008 6:14pm CST
My business partner is planning to put up a business in the province. We already have a commercial space available (rental). We are looking into the prospects of putting up an internet cafe. However, as I scan the internet for this kind of business in the Philippines, there seems to be more negative comments than positive. Most of these comments come from owners or former operators of internet cafes in Manila. I need more feedback. I don't want to plunge myself if the risk is very high. I am doing a feasibility study and I think myLot people could have some relevant ideas on this. I'd be glad if you can share any idea or opinion.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@carmela0210 (1591)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
my aunt owns an internet cafe here in our province, and i think it was viable enough to have it, as long as you have a good management and a good technicians, there are few internet cafe's here and mostly of them are being contracted by schools here mostly colleges here in our province to be the place where they would do their activities so its really profitable on having one here.
happy posting
@manaoagmemoirs (912)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
What do you mean by being contracted by schools? Can you give me more details about that?
@carmela0210 (1591)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
they have this computer activities at school but because the school dont have this much computer they contracted the private internet cafe's and they set this contract that the students should do their activities in the cafe, and the school would pay for the rental, and that makes the cafe boom!!!
@manaoagmemoirs (912)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
Really? That's a nice one. Maybe I could tell that scheme to my partner.
@austere (2812)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
internet cafe in the philippines? doesnt sound like a good idea, there has been a lot of cheap internet providers now and if you start an internet cafe, you will be spending a lot of money for a start.. you will have to buy computers, which will be expensive, because if you will be starting an internet cafe it should have fast computers or costumers would not want to return to your lousy computers.. then you have to rent the place and rennovate it.. it's too much money start start with and the return wont be that much.. a lot of people has computers now, and most of it is internet ready.. i dont know, doesnt sound very viable for me...
@austere (2812)
• Philippines
11 Oct 08
right! guess that's what i'm trying to say..hehe sorry..hehe but the return of income depends on the location too.. umm.. if you can find a nice spot near the school, then guess you still have a good market there.. i remembr a lot of students would still go to the cafe if they dont have classes or if they have quicj reports and assignments to finish.. so it really depends.. you have to research on the location if you can get a good market wherever you'll be planning to put up the cafe!
guess that's what i'm trying to say..hehe sorry..hehe but the return of income depends on the location too.. umm.. if you can find a nice spot near the school, then guess you still have a good market there.. i remembr a lot of students would still go to the cafe if they dont have classes or if they have quicj reports and assignments to finish.. so it really depends.. you have to research on the location if you can get a good market wherever you'll be planning to put up the cafe!@manaoagmemoirs (912)
• Philippines
10 Oct 08
You are suggesting that capital is big and the ROI would take a long time. I'm taking all advises and weighing everything.
@jesbellaine (4139)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
I think you will have a profitable income if you start an Internet cafe business in some provinces that is just starting to bloom. I am sure there are lots of students or people who would love to learn the "world wide web". One of our relatives started his own internet shop in Pampanga and it has a good income from it since a lot of students are coming there to make their research and projects... it is near a school and the rent there is not as much as the place here in Manila... He doesn't have to put or install a network games there since it is near the school plus there are many peeps there surfing the internet unlike here in Manila, it really helps if you put up a game in your server so that lots of peeps or gamers will visit your place. Happy Mylotting!!! Cheers!
@manaoagmemoirs (912)
• Philippines
10 Oct 08
This one's a positive. It's really a fact to me now that internet cafe is not viable in M. Mla. but still could work in the provinces. I'm considering everything that commentors are feeding me.
@jstmarfz (1498)
• United States
9 Oct 08
Internet cafe in Manila is just everywhere with cheaper cost. It is ideable to put up an internet cafe business to an area that does have few internet cafe. It is nice to have an internet cafe because most people depend on computers or internet now. If I were you, to have a successful internet cafe you have to open it 24/7 and give promos to invite more customers in your cafe. It should also comfortable, safe and clean for the customers. You can also extend like a little refreshment store. Instead of the customers going out to buy something to eat, they will just buy it inside he cafe and have their snacks while continuing surfing the net. That's my idea...hehe. Because I am planning to put up an internet cafe also in our province.
@manaoagmemoirs (912)
• Philippines
10 Oct 08
...open 24/7...promos...comfort...safe...clean...refreshment...GOT IT! Good luck to you too!
@hotshoes5000 (153)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
my only advice is your your location must be at an area where you have little or no competition and most important is you must be the owner of the place cause the rental will be the one who kills your bussiness
@manaoagmemoirs (912)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
The rental is 5000/mo. plus electricity(/?) plus water bill of 200.00/mo. Competition is minimal and located in the center of the town with about 100 meters from a public hi school and private schools. Hows that?
@hotshoes5000 (153)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
ok thats a jackpot area, just make sure you have many units so that that 5000 rental will not take too much on you income
@WATARIKENJI (1534)
• Philippines
7 May 09
My uncle is operating an internet cafe for 7 years now. He started it with 3 PC's and now he has 8 units. The location is good because there are lots of kids who like gaming.
As for the income, his family don't really depend on the shop as their bread and butter. It's more for paying the utilities and some extras.
In my opinion, location is the key for this type of business.
Good luck to you.
@jojowc (1)
• Philippines
7 May 09
I am an internet cafe owner too and so far my business is doing good. I must say that with proper management and taking good care of your customers are the keys to able to survive. Important updates to PC's,proper maintenance, be nice to customers, enough knowledge in troubleshooting as well as cleanliness and good ambiance inside the cafe is a plus. Any business is doom to fail with mismanagement. Thank you.. ^_^
