Saturday 17 September 2011

Offeringfree wi-fi - a simply how to

By Sarah Jane


People who are away from their homes and offices always want to stay connected and will therefore benefit from establishments who offer free Wi-Fi Wireless High Speed Internet Access. Almost all hotels, convention centers, cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, brew pubs, and bed & breakfasts have free wi-fi for clientele who own laptop and other wireless Internet enabled devices

Free Wi-Fi for customers will give the establishment the much needed competitive edge because this amenity will serve as a marketing tool that will result in more customers and will make the existing customers ecstatic. Although some businesses charge a fee to their clientele for wi-fi access, having a free Wi-Fi hotspot is a much higher alternative because, for sure, clientele will prefer free Wi-Fi access anytime. More business revenues as a result of the free wi-fi for customers will outweigh the cost of installing and maintaining a Wi-Fi network.

Though the establishment may opt to shoulder the costs of free Wi-Fi for customers, there are a couple of strategies that can be implemented to regain the set-up and monthly costs: A minimum purchase requirement for free Wi-Fi for clientele. A sign in screen which pops up before actual surfing of the internet with advertising spaces for your establishment and those within the area. Advertising spaces on the "how to log in" guide sheets given to customers. An in-store and outside signage announcing free Wi-Fi for clientele.

Setting up a free Wi-Fi spot is simple. You can either set it up yourself or hire someone with knowledge in computer networking. You will need a computer with a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) broadband high speed internet connection and a router or an access gateway device which is a hardware that will transmit the internet connection to wireless enabled devices. Your router comes with an instruction manual on how to set it up or you can ask your broadband connection provider. Your computer can be converted into a router, though, with the installation of some software products.

For your area to be Wi-Fi enabled, install the broadcast signal cable of your cable broadband into the modem and connect the modem to the broadcast device through an Ethernet cable. The broadcast device is what will allow several users to share the broadband connection within an area of about 100 to 300 feet. Where to place the broadcast device is crucial as this will dictate the signal strength of the connection. Obstructions such as interior walls will weaken the signal, thus, make sure to check the signal strength of the whole area by walking around with a laptop and transfer the device's location, when needed, to ensure high signal strength in all areas. It is important that you inform your broadband high speed internet provider that you are enabling a wireless network so they can guide you on the correct hardware to install.

It will cost approximately between $40- $100 to prepare your establishment to offer free Wi-Fi for customers and around $ 80- $150 monthly for the broadband connection. A relatively small amount as compared to the added revenue that a free wi-fi service for your clientele can generate for your business. The perceived value of free Wi-Fi to your clientele will be incredible.

Most cable or DSL subscriptions allow sharing the connection for free wi-fi for customers. It is crucial though to make sure that your internet provider end user license agreement (EULA) allows sharing the broadband connection.




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