When I see all these successful Pisonet business owners, I wonder how much they really make….
After all, there are a lot of Pisonet shops in our city so much so that there are one for every street.
Because of this thought, I searched the internet for all the things I can find in starting a Pisonet business. There’s not much, but the info I got will excite you!
So, if you’re like me that’s curious about how this business works, stick around till the end!
In this article, you’ll learn about what Pisonet really is, how much each unit costs, and how much you can potentially earn.
Ready? Let’s dive right in!
What is a Pisonet Business?
If you’ve never seen or heard of Pisonet before, they are basically computer units in an arcade box.
Think of them as vending machines but for computers!
Because of this, each unit is encased in a specially crafted vending machine.
The Pisonet was originally invented in Pangasinan in 2011 to fight against the growing popularity of computer shops there.
Because of the success of this brilliant invention, it later spread to different parts of the country such as Manila, Cebu and to the rest of the provinces.
Now, Pisonet is a booming business industry that a lot of Pinoys can easily get into!
But before we get into the juicy part, let’s first understand how this awesome invention really works.
How Does Pisonet Works?
Before you even think about starting this kind of business, you should first understand how it works.
Basically, one Pisonet unit uses a normal PC system which consists of:
- A monitor
- CPU
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Headset
- Mousepad
- And the vending machine
The way this works is that users will insert a 1 peso coin (or 5 peso coin for others) into the coin hole.
Then, the user can use the computer for a limited amount of time, usually 5 minutes for 1 peso.
When you think about it, it’s just like your normal internet café business except that this is the more stingy version.
Filipinos seem to like buying things in “tingi tingi” or small amounts. Just look at how we love to buy shampoos in sachets in sari sari stores!
This is probably one of the reasons why the Pisonet business is such a huge success.
Pisonet vs. Traditional Internet Cafés
If you’re wondering why you should start a Pisonet business instead of the traditional internet café ones, here are some comparisons.
Pros of Pisonet
- Easy to maintain because the operation is self-service. You don’t need to manually turn on the computer, once the customer inserts a coin, it automatically logs in.
- Your cash is more secured because it’s locked in the Pisonet units themselves. Only the keyholder can open the machine to collect the coins.
- On the part of customers, it’s cheaper because they can pay by the minute. Unlike in internet cafés where if you exceed even just a minute, you’ll need to pay the whole block of time.
- Your PC is more secured because Pisonet monitors typically are encased in a vending machine with a glass front.
- Easier to manage as a business owner.
Cons of Pisonet
- You’ll need to have a lot of coins on hand as your customers may not have coins readily available all the time.
- Your computer units will easily have more tear and wear because there are many different users in a day.
- You may encounter fraudulent customers who will say that they already put coins in the slot machine but are just lying.
After seeing the pros and cons of a Pisonet business from a traditional internet café, it’s all about your preference.
If you don’t want a lot of coins as your income, you should consider starting a traditional internet cafe.
But if you’re looking to start an affordable and trendy business, Pisonet is your business!
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Pisonet Business?
Now we’re going to get down on business.
For would be business owners, this part is one of the most important aspects.
So, I will provide you with all the necessary numbers and details you’ll need when starting your own Pisonet business.
First, let’s individually calculate how much the equipments and the other expenses cost.
Pisonet Box
The Pisonet box is the vending machine box that your PC will be encased in.
There are do-it-yourself YouTube videos out there to help you if you don’t want to pay for this.
Check out this YouTube tutorial video for creating your own Pisonet box.
But for those who don’t want the hassle of creating one, they usually sell for around ₱1,000 to ₱5,000 each.
Of course the price may vary by the type of the case but the box usually includes the coin slot and timer.
PC Set
As for the computer set itself, the cost depends on what you’re tying to accomplish.
If you’re looking to setup a simple Pisonet business, the cheapest brand new pc set can go for as low as P10,000 per unit.
These PC sets can typically run most simple programs such as Microsoft apps, Google Chrome, and other things.
But if you want your customers to be able to play games in your shop, you need to invest a fair amount of money.
The price per unit can start from P15,000 all the way to 6 digits!
Internet Connection
It goes without saying that you can’t start an internet café business without internet connection.
There are a lot of internet providers out there but there are 3 main networks to choose from: PLDT, Globe and Converge.
Depending on you, you can already subscribe to an internet package of P1,600 for 5 mbps speed.
But if you want to attract premium gamers, you may need to subscribe to a higher speed internet package minimum of 25 mbps.
Airconditioner
Most internet cafés nowadays have airconditioners.
Aside from the fact that it keeps your customers cool, it will also help your computer units to have a longer life.
The cost of the aircon will depend on the total area of your shop as well as the prices in your area.
But generally speaking, aircons with 1 horsepower costs ₱10,000 up.
Permit Fees
Of course, you can’t forget to get your business permit.
You’ll also need a barangay permit and/or, municipality/city permit.
As for the cost of these, it varies from place to place.
Attendant
Most small Pisonet businesses owners usually manage their own shops.
But for some who don’t have the time to do so, you can hire some attendants to manage the shop.
Depending on the size of your Pisonet shop, you may need one or more.
Also, the monthly salary of your shop attendant depends on you and the minimum wage on your area.
But ₱7,000 a month is already generous for a small Pisonet shop.
Total
There are other costs in starting a Pisonet business that were not discussed in here such as the electricity, maintenance and the rent.
But generally spearking, you’re looking at a cost of ₱100,000 upwards in starting this business.
Of course this depends on a lot of factors as we mentioned above but this is a good estimate.
But if you want to save time and money, there are a lot of businesses out there that offers Pisonet business packages for the units only.
They can cost around ₱70,000 for 5 Pisonet units. But there are other packages that costs higher.
How Much Can You Earn from a Pisonet Business?
As for the income, this varies a lot depending on a lot of factors.
But for the sake of this article, let’s assume some things and calculate your expected profit.
Assuming you have 8 Pisonet units and you operate for up to 8 hours per day.
Typically, a user can get 5 minutes for ₱1.
Daily income: ₱1 X 8 hours = ₱96 X 8 units = ₱768
Monthly income: ₱768 X 30 days = ₱23,040
Of course, this is just the gross income.
You’ll still need to deduct your expenses such as your electricity, internet connection, worker salary (if any), and maintenance.
How to Start a Pisonet Business
Just like any business, you also need to consider and do a lot of thing before you start a Pisonet shop.
Here are the steps:
- Create a business plan – In any business like this one, you need a plan. A business plan outlines all you need to evaluate the profitability of your proposed business. If you don’t know how to do one, you should probably hire someone who knows how to. But in general, a business plan contains the overview of the business, expected profitability, risks, target customers and more.
- Get necessary permits – Just like in any business, you’ll need to secure business permits to start your Pisonet business. Be ready to have all the necessary documents so you don’t have to go back and forth at the government offices.
- Buying your equipment – The next step is buying your equipment. Ideally, it’s good to inspect the items you’ll be getting before you buy them. As much as possible, buy your needed equipment in bulk direct from the supplier. Also, don’t forget to ask for discounts!
- Setting up your Pisonet business – This is where you’ll set everything up from the computer units to the place itself. Be creative and create an environment that represents your business.
- Start your Pisonet business! – After completing all the steps above, finally you’re ready to open your Pisonet business to the public! It’s always a good idea to have an opening promo and to have flyers and banners. This way, you’ll attract a lot of customers.
How to Get Capital for Your Pisonet Business
You’re excited to know all about the potential income for a Pisonet business.
The only problem is, where will you get your funds?
Well, here are the ways you can do so:
Savings
If you are a responsible person who consistently saved, now is the time to use your savings!
However, you shouldn’t use all your life savings to gamble in your business.
You need to think about this carefully and leave at least some for emergencies.
Ideally, you should combine your savings with some other things below.
Loans
Starting a business is usually a good reason to get a loan.
If you have relative and friends that are willing to lend you money, do so.
But if not, you can try to apply for bank loans.
But you need to keep in mind the interest rates as well as the contract terms when you apply for bank loans.
They can get pretty high!
Extra Income
If your savings aren’t enough and you can’t get loans from your relatives or the banks, get an extra income.
You can try working at home as a freelancer. You can do this on your spare time if you have a full-time job.
Read this:How to Work at Home in the Philippines (Even as a Newbie!)
Or you can get a second job if you are willing.
But there are tons of side hustles out there that you can also try so you can raise a bit of cash.
Read these: 21 Ways to Make Money Online in 2020 That You Should Do Now!
How to Earn Money in GCash (Ultimate Guide!)
Partners & Investors
Lastly, you can always ask investors or partners to start the business with you.
When you enter a partnership with people you trust fully, the expenses are divided among you.
Or, you can ask your relatives or other people to be investors in your Pisonet business.
You’ll give them a share of the profit monthly but it’s worth it if you can still net a large sum!
List of Pisonet Suppliers
If you’re looking for ready-made Pisonet packages you can buy, here are the list of suppliers.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to inquire first in your area if there are any suppliers around.
Otherwise, here are the list:
To add to this list, you can always search in Google or Facebook for other suppliers.
Just be sure to check their reviews first so you won’t get scammed.
Top Tips to Have a Successful Pisonet Business
Starting any business always involves a lot of risks.
You can get completely overwhelmed when starting a Pisonet business especially if this is your first venture.
But don’t worry, here are our top tips to help you:
Be prepared – As with anything in life, you’ll have a higher chance of success if you’re prepared.
Being prepared means having all the necessary funds, creating a business plan, and having the necessary knowledge.
You don’t necessarily need to be an I.T to have a business like this but a basic knowledge will help a lot.
Take care of your computers – You need your computers to always be at top performance to accomodate your customers.
To achieve this, you need to have antivirus software installed.
You also need to learn how to maintain your computers such as shutting them down properly.
By doing so, you are preserving the life of your units so you can cut down your maintenance costs.
Maximize your earnings – Aside from your computers, you should also have other income sources.
Most often, your customers will need to print some documents.
Having printers, can mean extra income on your part.
You can offer to scan, photocopy, print, or laminate the documents of your customers!
Invest in high internet speed – In the Philippines, internet connection is generally slow.
Since your business is on computer usage, you should consider investing on a high-speed internet connection as much as possible.
This will ensure high-quality service so your customers will come back every time.
Trust me when I say that bad internet connection, is enough to turn off a customer!
Location, location, location! – Before you even think of putting up a Pisonet business, you should already have a good location in mind.
Ideally, your shop should be somewhere near universities or places with a lot of people.
Or if you want to establish it in your street, ideally you should be the only one with an internet cafe business on that street.
This way, you get all the customers!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, starting a Pisonet business can be extremely profitable.
But only if you know what you’re doing. By reading this blog, you’re already on the right path!
I hope this article helped you in some ways.
Are you planning on starting a Pisonet business soon? Let me know in the comments!
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Hi Ana,
Thanks for this! Yes, I agree, this is a very detailed computation. I agree that there are some expenses that were not mentioned. Don’t worry, this is just for representation purposes.
But thank you nonetheless for your valuable inputs! 🙂
Great guide! You should also add a piso wifi machine in your shop para dun sa gustong sa phone lang maglalaro. Maraming nagbebenta dyan online (builder po ako) pero pwede din kayo gumawa ng DIY na machine. Sa gustong mag try, check nyo Ado https://www.adopisoft.com/ para sa guides kung pano mag DIY.