Blog

The Benefits of Providing Free Wi-Fi to Your Customers

The Internet of Things is here. Google and other search engines are updating their algorithms to favour mobile-friendly websites.

And this is because people are accessing the web not just from their PC and laptop, but from tablets and smartphones.

And we are constantly connected, with most customers now expecting that no matter where they are, they will be able to access data and therefore, the web. When it comes to spending time at your business, offering free Wi-Fi is just one way of attracting people and keeping hold of them.

Businesses that already invested in free Wi-Fi for customers, 62% said customers spent more time at their place of business. Even better, half of these customers spent more money too.

But how else can providing free Wi-Fi to your customers benefit your business?

#1 Increased foot traffic

As a business, you want to keep innovating, offering more appealing products and services to your customers.

This means bringing in more people but sometimes, the physical aspects of discovering your business can present challenges. As well as a physical sign on the street directing customers to your whereabouts, Google Maps, Yelp and Foursquare all help people find your business online.

#2 Attract new customers

Attracting customers is an ongoing business activity. You want and need to attract new customers to keep a steady stream of customers coming through the door.

For some businesses, offering free Wi-Fi means that people are happier to spend time on their own in a business. Would free Wi-Fi encourage new customers in this way?

#3 Customer expectations

We mentioned at the start how people now have expectations that no matter where they are, they will be able to access the web.

In areas where data connection can be intermittent, the provision of free Wi-Fi will be a bonus. Wi-Fi is now widely available, from pubs to cafes, to city centres to libraries and more, that we can be connected and access important emails and other information via our phones, tablets and laptops, without any hassle.

Could your business be part of this picture?

#4 Better search engine results

There are hundreds, if not thousands of apps that your business could be part of. Search engine algorithms are closely guarded with no one really fully understanding how Google and other search engines rank information.

But there are rumours that as well as favouring mobile-friendly website, Google is also taking note of how active your website is via various apps and other channels. Could free Wi-Fi be pushing your business in front of Google?

#5 Ahead of your competitors

Price and quality are two factor that traditionally, customers have used to decide if they will buy from a business. Now, the ever-changing and increasing technological expectations are also being used by customers to decide is a business is the one they want to buy products or services from.

So, with more people through the doors and customers spending more, there are five other important benefits of offering free Wi-Fi to customers. What are you waiting for?