As the world increasingly moves toward remote work, cafes have become popular places to get out of the house and get some work done. But with so many cafes competing for business, how can you make yours stand out as the go-to spot for remote workers?
Here are a few tips on how to make your cafe everyone's favorite remote work spot:
Offer reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Fast and secure internet connection is essential for remote workers – no one wants to be stuck in a spot with a slow or unreliable connection. Make sure your Wi-Fi signal covers all areas so customers can easily stay connected while they work.
Dedicate some tables only to remote workers.
Dedicate some tables to remote workers only Like this café in Budapest, Hungary, you can get creative and label the tables as being suitable for laptops or not. This serves several purposes.
First, it shows that your cafe welcomes and respects remote workers.
Second, it makes it easier for remote workers to know which tables have access to power outlets and devices they may need.
Third, it doesn't interfere with the cafe experience of other customers who don't want to be distracted by people working on their laptops, and it gives remote workers more peace of mind knowing they're not occupying the seats of ordinary customers.
Create a cozy atmosphere.
Whether through furniture or decorations, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere at your cafe will help remote workers feel comfortable and welcome during their work day – leading to more repeat visits when they need a break from their home offices.
Use technology to improve the cafe experience.
Investing in the right technology such as mobile ordering apps, online reservation systems, and even virtual reality experiences can make your café stand out from the competition and give customers an experience they won’t forget.
Make sure cafe staff are tech-savvy.
It's important to train cafe staff to be able to help remote workers with technical issues and to understand that they need their space and privacy. Most cafe customers don't want a cafe employee hovering over them while they work.
Invest in outdoor seating.
Outdoor seating provides remote workers with the opportunity to work in cafe interior, especially when they need a change of scenery or some fresh air. Offering comfortable furniture, umbrellas for shade, and even heaters for winter days will make your cafe stand out from the competition.
Offer discounts or loyalty programs.
Loyalty programs are an effective way of enticing remote workers to come back again and again—and providing them with a discount on their favorite cafe items is likely to get them excited about returning.
Provide amenities such as power outlets.
Remote workers need access to power if they’re going to be working at your cafe all day – so make sure you have plenty of plug sockets installed! It may also be worth investing in charging stations where customers can charge their laptops, phones, and other devices.
Offer delivery services.
With more people working remotely, offering delivery services or catering options could be a great way to make your cafe popular among remote workers who need their caffeine fix delivered right to their door.
Additionally, for cafes offering delivery services to support remote workers, integrating technology like Circuit for transparent delivery confirmations ensures efficiency and trust in your delivery process, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Consider cafe subscriptions.
Offering cafe subscriptions such as discounted coffees and teas could be a great way to encourage remote workers to come back time and again.
Create cafe packages.
To make it easier for busy remote workers, consider creating cafe packages that include things such as snacks, stationery, and access to Wi-Fi so they can get more done in one go. This will help them save time and money while still getting everything they need from your cafe.
Get creative with cafe menu items and offer healthy snacks and drinks.
Remote work often means snacking throughout the day - so make sure to provide options that can keep people energized, such as nuts, fruits, and light sandwiches. A selection of teas and coffees are also welcome for those looking for a caffeine boost!
Create an ergonomic space.
Working remotely isn’t always kind on the body – so providing comfortable chairs that support a good posture and tables of the right height can make a world of difference. Consider investing in adjustable chairs with armrests and cushioning to keep remote workers comfortable throughout the day.
Provide private meeting spaces.
Many remote workers also need to occasionally host meetings or collaborate with team members – so having one or two private rooms available for booking is ideal. Make sure they're well-equipped with the necessary technology like projectors, TVs, whiteboards, etc., so remote teams have all the tools they need for successful collaboration.
Encourage social interaction and networking opportunities.
Remote working doesn’t mean people don’t want to interact - remote working cafes should create an environment that encourages socialization, networking, and remote working collaborations.
Hold fun, educational cafe events.
Events like workshops, Q&A sessions and networking nights can attract potential customers who are looking for a place to meet up with other remote workers.
Provide a cafe environment.
Make sure remote workers feel like they’re in a cafe rather than just another office by providing cafe-style music (or even live music), as well as cafe snacks and drinks.
Offer virtual cafe events.
To keep your cafe top of mind with remote workers, why not offer virtual cafe events such as book clubs or trivia nights that can be accessed online? This way, customers can still get the cafe experience without having to leave their home.
Get creative with marketing.
Use social media platforms to promote your cafe to potential remote worker customers – for example, you could post about discounts, special promotions, or even funny videos featuring staff members.
Create an online cafe community.
Social media is a great way to build relationships with cafe customers, but you could also create an online cafe community where remote workers can get advice and tips from each other, as well as stay up to date on what’s happening at your cafe. By fostering these connections among your customers, they’ll be more likely to come back again and again.
Promote cafe services online and offline.
Letting customers know about all the cafe services you offer – such as printing facilities, meeting rooms, and video conferencing – will help people who need somewhere comfortable and professional to work remotely.
These are just some of the ways that cafe owners can make their cafes attractive destinations for remote workers in the post-pandemic world. By offering them a comfortable work environment, convenient amenities, and fun virtual and physical events, cafe businesses can strengthen revenue streams and keep their establishments thriving.
