Some people think that computer clubs are unprofitable these days. Say, well, who needs them? Many people have a computer, laptop, tablet ... Who will go there? But is it?
Who needs computer clubs?
Firstly, there are still a lot of people who cannot imagine their life without a few parties in DotA or dizzying races with friends.
In addition, sometimes it becomes necessary to quickly find certain information on the network, print it or send a letter. And in the event that there is no computer or laptop at hand, first of all a person begins to search for an Internet salon nearby.
Opening a computer club is a truly profitable solution, an idea that will bring you tangible income in the near future.
Step 1. Finding a suitable place
Unlike other lines of business, in this case, proximity to the city center is not critical, so you should not overpay for a place “under the sun”.
The key factor in this case is the ability to open a 24-hour computer club. Without this, you can lose a significant portion of your potential customers.
In addition, you should focus on the availability of the premises. Your salon should not be too far from public transport and busy streets - otherwise, competitors can simply intercept your customers.
And one more important point, which, perforce, will have to be paid attention to when deciding the question: "How to open a computer club?" It is about choosing between renting and buying an object. Given that the basis of this business is a mobile computer network, which, if necessary, can be easily moved to another place, it will be more logical to rent a room in order to save. However, if you decide to firmly “take root” in the chosen place and have enough money, you can buy it. This will allow you to significantly reduce monthly expenses in the future.
Technical requirements
It is important that the room has electricity, there are climate control systems, and there is not too much humidity. Immediately take care to conduct high-speed Internet and arrange its distribution between all computers. Another point is the compliance of the premises with modern fire safety requirements.
Of course, the computer club must have an emergency exit and a bathroom.
Step 2. Paperwork
No matter how you resist, but deciding to open your own computer club, you will have to talk with representatives of some government agencies that control the activities of entrepreneurs.
First of all, we are talking about the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service. According to the current sanitary standards, each working (playing) place should not be less than 4 m2. By the way, this factor also needs to be considered when choosing a room for rent or purchase.
In addition, SES workers must record the level of electromagnetic radiation near each computer. You will have to pay for this service (about 1000 rubles for checking each device). Not fair? Perhaps, but without this you can only dream of your own computer club.
Finally, you will have to collaborate with the youth work department at the district or city state administration. It would seem, what does he have to do with it? It's still trickier here.You should carefully monitor your visitors so that you are not accused of distracting students from school and serving as a “brothel” for difficult children.
According to our law, schoolchildren are not allowed to stay in computer clubs during classes, and children under the age of 14 should not stay with you after 21:00. By the way, violation of the second condition is fraught with receiving large fines from the police, so you should not turn a blind eye to flagrant violations (even out of sincere human solidarity).
What OKVED code to choose for the online store?
Another important point to consider when opening a computer club is OKVED. Depending on which code will be used, you will be able to register your institution on certain conditions. Unfortunately, the “Computer Club” item in the classification is simply missing. Therefore, almost all owners of such institutions choose from alternative options:
- 72.60 - other activities related to the use of information technology and computer technology;
- 93.05 - the provision of other personal services;
- 74.84 - the provision of other services.
However, on this issue, it is best to consult with a specialist who will be able to evaluate your activities and choose the most suitable option from the point of view of the law.
Step 3. Purchase of equipment
This is perhaps the most important stage in organizing your business. If you are interested in how to open a computer club, you should understand that in order for your institution to bring you tangible profits, you must have at least 15 cars at your disposal.
Many novice entrepreneurs make the same mistake, obsessed with computer games. And, meanwhile, it is equally important to provide your customers with a high-speed Internet access channel.
Why is corporate access to the Internet so important?
It should be separately emphasized that corporate Internet access is not at all the same as a home access point. Moreover, the difference lies not only in cost, but also in bandwidth and data exchange speed. The price of the cheapest access to the network with a data transfer rate of up to 256 Kbps is about 6 thousand rubles. However, taking into account modern customer requests, even this is not enough. The best option is a channel of 50 Mbps or more. And the cost of such a connection can reach 60-80 thousand rubles. per month.
Partial solution to this problem will help the correct installation of equipment (using high-performance hubs, several dedicated lines, installing a proxy server, etc.). However, the problem is not only the price.
To use the Internet for commercial purposes, you will need a special license for the provision of telematic services, as well as permission to transmit data from the Ministry of Communications. And taking into account the fact that our business plan for a computer club involves round-the-clock work, you will also need permission from the police for a 24-hour work day.
But back to the purchase of computers. They must be reliable and as productive as possible when working on the network. On average, the assembly of one such unit costs about 25-30 thousand rubles. It will be ideal if you can order all the components directly from the manufacturer - so you get the opportunity to save a fair amount of the budget, bypassing resellers and intermediaries.
What do you need to open a computer club, besides the computers themselves? It all depends on what additional services you are going to offer your visitors. In the "standard set" you can enter printers, copier, equipment for recording information on CD-and DVD-ROM drives, as well as flash cards.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that any institution of such a plan should provide its customers with a selection of drinks (beer, tea, coffee, juices, water) and snacks.Therefore, among other things, you will have to install equipment for the bar, mini-refrigerators, etc.
It will be nice if you place a high-quality liquid crystal or plasma panel that displays information from the “battlefield” for fans of “computer battles”.
Step 4. Purchase licensed software
The purchase of licensed software is one of the most serious items of expenses. When compiling a business plan for a computer club, it must be taken into account.
Of course, the temptation to save money and install the “cracked” versions of games and programs is great. But, as always, there is one “But.” If, during an audit, a violation of the Copyright Law is recorded in your club, the institution will be sealed and all equipment that is available will be seized.
According to the current legislation, such a “saving” is fraught with a fine of 20 to 60 thousand rubles or correctional labor for up to two years. But if a software company sues you, the amount of fines here will be “slightly” different - from 5 million (!) Rubles and more.
So be sure to make sure that every program for a computer club is original and officially paid.
Important! Do not confuse licenses for home (private) use with commercial ones. When it comes to how to open a computer club, a license of the second type is required, which allows commercial use of the product.
Step 5. Search and recruitment
It is simply impossible to keep track of the work of the entire computer club on your own. However, unlike other lines of business, you will not need a large number of staff units in this case.
First, you need an administrator (the same person can perform the functions of a cashier). Given that the club operates 24 hours a day, there should be several such employees (2-3). Their task is to monitor the order in the room, resolve conflicts between visitors, fix problems in computers and prevent any of the clients from starting to unscrew parts from system units.
The second indispensable employee is the network administrator (possibly coming).
If the club has its own bar, it is desirable that it is the bartender who is engaged in customer service, and not the administrator, who is forced to constantly run from one end of the room to the other.
And, of course, you need a cleaning lady who will monitor the cleanliness in the cabin.
If there is not enough staff to monitor the entire territory of the club, it would be advisable to install video surveillance of the hall or install specialized protection on the system units.
Step 6. Organization of accounting
The official registration of employees in the state requires the registration of an employment contract in various instances (including the tax service and social, pension and medical insurance funds). In addition, tax cards and work books should be established for each employee. Proper management matters settlement and payroll.
If you do not want to shoulder all these chores on your shoulders, it may make sense to negotiate (as an option - through acquaintances) with some large organization so that employees are registered at that enterprise and then rented out to the club. In fact, in this case all the paper work falls on the personnel department. On average, the price of such services is about 10-15 dollars per employee.
Another option is to use the services of a third-party accountant on the terms of outsourcing. Companies leasing such employees, as a rule, select only real professionals, competent and experienced people - their reputation and profit directly depend on this, and therefore it is simply unprofitable for them to provide a “teapot” for solving your problems.
Step 7. Advertising
The most effective options for promoting computer clubs are traditionally considered to be the distribution of leaflets in the area where the institution is located, as well as posting ads near entrances and in elevators of residential buildings.
In principle, it’s enough to attract only a few dozen customers - the effect will work further Word of mouth and over time, you’ll hardly have to spend money on advertising.
Step 8. Drawing up a financial plan
So, all the expenses that will be required to start a computer business can be divided into capital (starting - those that you will need at the very beginning) and current (regular - those that you will make monthly).
TO capital expenditures The following items can be attributed:
- rental of premises - about 50 thousand rubles;
- connection to the provider, repair work - 100-120 thousand rubles;
- purchase of equipment - from 800 thousand rubles;
- purchase of furniture - 250-300 thousand rubles;
- advertising - 15 thousand rubles;
- payment of utilities - 15 thousand rubles;
- purchase of consumables - 25-30 thousand rubles;
- purchase of products - about 40-50 thousand rubles.
As you can see, it’s not enough to know how to open a computer club; you still need to have a starting capital of about 1.2-1.5 million rubles.
Further expenses will be reduced several times:
- rent - 50 thousand rubles / month;
- device repair - 30 thousand rubles / month;
- payment of utilities - 15 thousand rubles / month;
- advertising - 10 thousand rubles / month;
- purchase of products - 40-50 thousand rubles / month;
- purchase of consumables - 15 thousand rubles / month;
- salaries to employees - about 100-150 thousand rubles / month.
Total - about 250-300 thousand rubles per month.
It should be understood that the prices quoted may vary significantly depending on where you live. In large megacities such as Moscow, they can be several times higher, and in small provincial towns, on the contrary, lower.
Step 9. Calculation of projected profits
You should focus on the average price level (from 10 to 30 rubles per hour for one visitor). Too low cost of the service will negatively affect the payback of the project, and too high will scare away your potential customers.
Estimated monthly profit, taking into account the indicated prices, can reach 650 thousand rubles, of which net income is about 100-150 thousand.
Thus, the invested funds will pay off in about a year.
