How to Set Up a Simple WiFi Hotspot System in Your Coffee Shop

 A WiFi hotspot: What is it?

An place with WiFi connection to the Internet is referred to as a WiFi hotspot. Both the location where the signal is present and the apparatus (WiFi Router or WiFi Access Point) that is broadcasting the signal are now referred to as hotspots. The words "WiFi Router" and "WiFi Access Point" (AP) are also frequently used synonymously. For more details 192.168.100.l

How to purchase and configure a WiFi router

One of the best things about setting up a hotspot system at a coffee shop is that typically just one WiFi router is needed to cover the entire establishment, making setup quite simple. Today, wireless routers cost about $50, so setting up a hotspot doesn't have to be expensive. The only additional requirement would be a cable or DSL connection to your store. These typically cost roughly $30 per month, depending on where you live.

ways to manage access.

Setting the router's wireless security settings to "Disabled" or "Open" makes creating a hotspot the simplest process. That would give everyone access, but how would you manage how much bandwidth or time each consumer spent online?

Setting a WPA or WEP key on the router and providing it to your customers is one approach. This would prevent neighbours from using your connection, but it would prevent you from imposing time restrictions on how long your customers might be online.

You will require a hosted or standalone "Captive Portal" to do that. A "Captive Portal" is a specially modified WiFi router that first appears as an Open or Unencrypted WiFi signal before redirecting any traffic to a particular web page known as a "Splash Page," where you are frequently required to log in or purchase internet access.

Business owners frequently receive hosted captive portals free of charge in exchange for a cut of the hotspot's sales. With a hosted solution, your customer is forwarded to the WiFi provider's servers and is required to make an online payment for Internet access. Standalone captive portals enable you to produce tickets that you can sell (or gift) to your clients and are typically sold outright to the business owner. A specific amount of time is allotted for Internet access with each ticket. Giving your customer a complimentary 30-min ticket with their first coffee purchase is a lovely touch; however, if they want to stay online longer, they must return to the counter and purchase another ticket or coffee.