Ina Sebastian at Jupiter Research wrote about a ComputerWorld prediction that Starbucks will evenutally offer free WiFi service. Personally, I avoid Starbucks in favor of coffee shops that offer free connections. My guess is that Starbucks has found this to be a popular stance. I believe free WiFi will become expected and that SMBs will be able to offer real value to their customers through creative use of this connectivity.
Question: You run a destination type SMB like Starbucks. How do you use the WiFi service you are offering them to build a community of your customers? Do you allow them to engage each other a la Facebook or MySpace? Do you give them the opportunity to "speak" to you directly?
Found you through Kiva. Nice blog.
I LOVE Starbucks. I mean I LOVE Starbucks. But I frequent another coffee shop/cafe that offers free WiFi.
On the weekends, I go to Starbucks from my Venti Latte. But then I’ll go to the other place and work (I order a pastry and then an early lunch). They overlook my Starbucks infraction in exchange for the food purchase.
If Starbucks offered free WiFi, I’d stay at Starbucks.