Businesses that offer a free Wi-Fi are five times more profitable than those that charge for the service, according to a new survey.
The research, conducted by wireless network free-hotspot.com, suggested that 84% of people were more willing to purchase from businesses that offer free Wi-Fi.
The survey proposed that when customers do not have to pay for their Wi-Fi access, they are happy to spend more on the goods and services sold by the owner of the business.
The survey also concluded that 96% would return to the same establishment to use the service again, and around half said they would come back on a regular basis.
The statistics reconfirm existing market studies that show locations offering free Wi-Fi attract a broad and highly profitable client base, said Joe Brunoli, vice president of Hotspot’s market development.
“The fact that 50% of those questioned were already regular customers of the free Hotspot location also proves that such a service meets the needs of existing clientele. Creating a sense of loyalty in both new and existing customers cannot help but increase footfall and therefore sales,” Brunoli added.
Four out of ten customers surveyed starting using Wi-Fi in a particular location after seeing a sign in the window advertising the service.
The survey was conducted over a period of several weeks, from Wi-Fi locations across Europe.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2006
