I am looking for information on how to plan and start an internet
cafe. The location would be one of the major cities in India.

Things of interest are related business plans, guides or checklists on
things to do, what equipment to buy, extra services that can be
offered alongside, information on what kind of cafes tend to be
successful etc. Recommendations for a good book are also welcome.

So far, the best I could find via Google and Ask Jeeves searches were
a few sites with pointers to their own books:
http://www.internetcafeguide.com/, http://cybercaptive.com and
http://internetcafemanual.com. I do not know how good any of these
books are.

Greetings Goog44:

I have found numerous resources to assist in guidance for your
business venture.  The first is a business plan for an Internet cafe
courtesy of Bplans.com and I believe it will assist you greatly in
seeing the business plan process.

Sample business plan for Internet cafe
http://www.bplans.com/c/sp/d/?s=1031

My Work Tools offers a free download of a marketing plan for an
Internet cafe at http://www.myworktools.com/tp_cache/t8/tool_873.html.
 They also offer some very inexpensive general business tools
including a checklist.

Cybercafe checklist - main page
http://www.cybercafechecklist.com/

General information on computers for cybercafe use
http://www.cybercafechecklist.com/computers.html

General cybercafe bookmarks
http://www.cybercafechecklist.com/general_bookmarks.html

Cybercafe Magazine - you may want to subscribe
http://www.blackapollo.demon.co.uk/cafindex.html

Netcafe - cybercafe resources
http://www.netcafeguide.com/resources.html

Cybercafe resources from About.com
http://coffeetea.about.com/cs/openacybercafe/

Cybercafes currently in India - this is a Google directory 
http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/Cybercafes/India/

These links should provide you with excellent references and a solid
strating point.  I thank you for the opportunity to answer your query.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

"internet cafe" checklist
bplans internet cafe
"internet cafe" start up
"cyber cafe" plans
"cyber cafe" checklist
Internet cyber cafe marketing

---

Request for Answer Clarification by goog44-ga on 27 Jul 2003 23:14 PDT

Thanks journalist-ga for the pointers. However the info there pertains
more to the US markets. The stuff I am looking for is more for the
Indian markets -- e.g., how does a business plan there look like, what
kind of equipment is good there, choices for ISP providers, market
segmentation, local checklists etc.

Any help you can provide will be appreciated.

---

Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 28 Jul 2003 08:27 PDT

Hello again, Goog44:

Basically, a business plan is a business plan and, because you are
dealing with pitching to a financial institutuion, all business plans
are similar in that department.  A bank is a bank, too, and what they
see in a business plan is there to convince them to lend you funds for
start-up, as well as the business plan is for your assistance in
planning your business.  Also, at present, Google Researchers are not
allowed to answer in languages other than English so I cannot not
provide any business plans in India's native language.  However, I
have located some more resources for your consideration:

Business plan for company in US and India
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/kaplan/0471203823/plan/shields.doc
As you will see when reviewing this business plan, it is identical in
nature to the ones I provided.  All the keys element of business are
present and well explained.

"Ten things you need to know about doing business in India"
http://www.cio.com/archive/120100/bizplan.html

Business plan prep sheet for India company
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:r-I0iUNH2c4J:www.hamburgportconsulting.de/References/PortPlanning/553_BusinessPlan-India.pdf+%22business+plan%22+india&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Here is the link to a business plan and guide from ICFAI Center for
Entrepreneurship Development
http://www.ibsindia.org/learning_ibs/entrepreneurship/businessplan.asp
Their contact information is:  
ICFAI Business School Headquarters
62, Nagarjuna Hills
Panjagutta, Hyderabad 500082
Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
mailto:ibshq@ibsindia.org 


I hope these additional links and explanations will be of assistance. 
Should you need further clarification, please request it.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

"business plan" India
India "business plan"

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Request for Answer Clarification by goog44-ga on 29 Jul 2003 00:46 PDT

Hi journalist-ga, Thanks for your prompt response. What I am looking
for is not something written in Indian language (english is fine!),
but something pertaining to the "Indian market" -- the type of costs
there, choices of vendors for equipment etc for this kind of a
business.

I am not sure if such info is available on the web, it will be great
if u can help with that.. Btw dont worry about the payment, I will pay
regardless :)

cheers,
goog4-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 29 Jul 2003 08:00 PDT

Try as I might, I found no business plan from India that you might
review for equipment costs, ideas and such.  However, I did locate
some more informative links for you.  If you feel I have not
adequately answered your question, please let me know and I will
request that the editors remove my answer.  I've spent about 3+ hours
on searches.

Internet cafe in India mentioned - success story from the Wall Street
Journal
http://www.indianembassy.org/US_Media/2002/mar/Internet_%20Pioneer_%20in_%20India_%20Succeeds.htm

Internet service providers India
http://hindustan.net/Internet_Services/more3.html

India Yellow Pages - see Computer listings
http://www.indiayellowpagesonline.com/a-z/c.htm

Restaurant equipment - joint venture - India
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/dd74912e.html

CIOL - The Internet in India  "Miles to go"
http://www.ciol.com/content/news/trends/102082701.asp

Internet Cafe Guide (book for purchase)
http://www.internetcafeguide.com/

UK franchise opportunity (some details - you might contact them to
find out more details without purchase)
http://www.whichfranchise.com/franchisorPage.cfm?companyID=2313

Computer time rates for an existing Internet Cafe
http://www.cafeinternet-bend.com/computer.htm

Venture Checklist
http://www.cbsc.org/sask/sbis/search/display.cfm?Code=5752&coll=SK_PROVBIS_E

Business Plan Guide
http://www.cbsc.org/sask/sbis/search/display.cfm?Code=5750&coll=SK_PROVBIS_E

Industry Profile advice (article)
http://www.bplans.com/qa/article.cfm/435?match=all&sf=coffee%20shop

IT Requirements for an Internet Cafe (Google Answers question - please
read)
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=149689


SEARCH STRATEGY:

"Internet cafe" equipment
"cyber cafe" equipment
"Internet cafe" checklist
"cyber cafe" checklist
"cyber cafe" India equipment
"restaurant equipment" India
"computer equipment" India

---

Request for Answer Clarification by goog44-ga on 29 Jul 2003 23:59 PDT

Journalist-ga, Those links cover a good spectrum esp the one about IT
requirements. I appreciate your time and effort, so there is no need
to recall the answer.. if u come across any info reg equipment prices
etc just drop a comment. Thanks and all
the best, 
Goog4.

---

Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 01 Aug 2003 06:26 PDT

I'll continue to look for India-specific links and post them as they
are found.  Thanks for your kind words, too.  :)

Dear Goog44

I have inagurated my internet cafe in Delhi(india) on 27thJuly03, this
sunday only, let me know which city are you planning to open yours
cafe. May be I can help you out with whatever research I did.

Regards
ggombar

Dear Ggombar, 

Congrats on the venture! Must be exciting. The place I am planning for
is Hyderabad. It will be great if you can help me out with some of the
research
you did. If you prefer, please use my direct email address mr4v AT
yahoo DOT com.

Best,
Goog44

Hello,
I am also thinking of opening an internet cafe, but more for games and
internet rather than coffee and drinks etc. I was wondering if you
could help me out with the information you discovered. I am 16 years
old so I do not know how the banks operate with regards to a loan. Of
course my parents will help me out with that.  My e-mail is
kc_woot_dude@hotmail.com If you could help me out on how much it cost
for computers etc that would be great.