WiFi for Customers: Boost Engagement and Loyalty With Free Connectivity

Consumers want internet access wherever they go. That’s why offering free WiFi to customers is a must for any business that wants more patrons, longer stay-times, and increased business. Companies providing this service will gain loyal customers and may even see an improvement in their online reputation.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of adding free WiFi for customers to your offerings, how to set up WiFi and how a captive portal can turn customer wifi into an even more valuable asset.

How To Set Up WiFi for Customers

Here’s how to set up free WiFi for customers so they can connect to your network with ease:

Note: The following steps are for a TP-Link router. The steps may vary depending on the router’s manufacturer and model.

1. Access the router from your browser: Open your browser and enter this IP in the address bar — 192.168.1.1.

1. Sign in to the administrator account: You must log in to the router’s administrator account. Enter your WiFi administrator username and password to access the account.

1. Look for the wireless network setting: Open the Wireless network setting on your router. You’ll see existing wireless networks your establishment uses.

1. Enable the guest wireless network: Look for the Guest Network setting and enable the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or both wireless bands.

1. Name the guest WiFi: Enter a name (SSID) for the guest wireless network. Remember to keep a different name from what you use for your establishment.

1. Set up the guest network: Change Security from No Security to WPA/WPA2-Personal or WPA2/WPA3-Personal and enter a password.

Share the password with guests who want to use your WiFi and you’re good to go!

How To Provide WiFi for Customers That They’ll Love

Just offering free customer WiFi isn’t enough. You can do a lot more with your guest network. Here are a few ways you can make the most of your guest WiFi as a business owner:

1. Implement security seatures. Making sure your free WiFi has top security protocols is a great way to gain your customer’s trust while also protecting your business. Make sure you set up a secure connection for patrons that’s separate from your business WiFi.
2. Use bandwidth limits or time limits. No one likes slow internet speeds. Avoid this and keep guests from hogging the bandwidth by implementing limits. You can use a captive portal to set a time limit on how long each user can use your WiFi. Or, you can use bandwidth limits to prioritize certain types of traffic over others.
3. Invest in speed. Providing fast, reliable WiFi is also crucial. Business owners should invest in a network with the fastest speeds to prevent slow loading times. You don’t want your customers leaving your business for a competitor because they’re tired of waiting for the internet to load.
4. Offer accessible connectivity. Boost the ability of your guest WiFi to access mobile devices. Enable the latest wireless standards and use a high-quality router or wireless access point. Make sure you also regularly update firmware for fast connectivity.

How Free WiFi for Customers Benefit Businesses

Free WiFi is a two-way street: it is beneficial for your business and customers. Providing customers with a free guest network will benefit you in the following ways:

1. Free internet for customers attracts more patrons: When you offer free WiFi, people are more likely to visit your store. This attracts people looking for places to work, study, or relax.
2. Providing free WiFi increases customer loyalty: Customers appreciate the convenience of free WiFi. They will prefer to return to your store over others simply because your establishment has WiFi.
3. Gather valuable customer data: Your free wireless network can allow you to gather customer demographics, spending habits, and foot traffic. This information helps improve your marketing strategies and target specific segments of your audience.
4. Increased your online reviews and reach: Free WiFi can increase awareness of your business among your audience through the use of a captive portal. A captive portal is a splash page that appears when you connect to a WiFi network. Here, you can ask patrons to login before using your WiFi. Not only can you collect valuable data like their email address, you can also use the page to direct them to your social media pages or online review profiles.
5. Promotional opportunities: Free WiFi offers an opportunity to provide exclusive discounts to users. You can display ongoing sales and offers to ensure your patrons know them.
6. Encouraging customer feedback: If you’re using a captive portal, you can set that page to ask for customer feedback in exchange for using the WiFi. This is also a good way to catch any bad feedback before it makes it to Yelp or Google. You can use a captive portal to redirect negative ratings so you can proactively get in touch with the customer and fix the issue.
7. Providing informational content: You can also use your WiFi captive portal to display helpful information with patrons visiting your establishment. You can direct users to blogs, announce new products, and include business-related information.

WiFi Deals for New Customers Bring More Traffic

Did you know that offering WiFi promotions for new customers can increase your bottom line? Here’s how:

1. Provide a free trial period for new customers. It’s a nice way to welcome new customers while they walk through your establishment.
2. Place free WiFi signage outside your store, especially if your establishment is in an area with high foot traffic. It is an effective way to attract people who want an affordable and convenient way to stay connected.
3. Create a loyalty program that rewards customers when they complete specific actions. For example, you can provide extended hours of unlimited bandwidth for patrons who sign up. Another solution is to include discounts for customers who make a purchase. This encourages customers to return and take advantage of the WiFi deals.
4. Offer WiFi deals to customers who refer friends or family members. Word-of-mouth marketing can help expand your customer base and attract new customers.

Setting Up a Captive Portal for Your Guest WiFi With Beambox

Maximize the power of offering your customers free WiFi with the help of a captive portal like Beambox. Used by large and small businesses all overthe world, Beambox is an easy “plug-and-play” style device that allows you to make the most of your guest WiFi. Here are the simple steps for installing your Beambox:

1. Get a router or access point with captive portal support. Most modern ones have it. Be sure to check the specs.

2. Log into the router or access point and find the guest network settings. Configure the guest network, including the SSID and password.

3. Enable the captive portal feature. Create a splash page for your WiFi for customers. Guests will see it when they access the Internet.

4. Create the splash page. Typically, accomplish this through a web-based interface provided by the router or access point. Customize the splash page with the company logo, terms of service, and desired info.

5. Set the captive portal to prompt for login or terms agreement. This will allow you to collect guest information or redirect them to a specific website.

6. Test the captive portal and access the Internet. Make sure the splash page is displayed. Check the login or agreement process for functionality.

7. Add extra security measures if needed. A VPN or firewall works. Limit internet access to certain websites or resources only and monitor network activity.

In summary, setting up a captive portal is simple. It involves configuring the guest network, enabling captive portal features, creating a splash page, prompting for login or agreement to terms of service, and adding extra security measures.

Leverage WiFi Marketing for Your Business Now

Setting up free WiFi for patrons is a powerful marketing tool for your business. Pair it with a captive portal from a WiFi marketing service like Beambox, and watch your business soar to new heights.

Beambox’s digital marketing solution can help you get the most out of reviews, contact lists, and customer information. We can help you plan, monitor, and improve your marketing campaigns with our all-in-one solutions. Try Beambox today and start growing your business now!

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