Wireless SSID advertising?

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

So my store is right beside 3 "big" restaurants and a couple fast-food places... I am curious on opinions for the idea of buying several cheap long-range wifi SSID broadcasters and simply advertising "Ingrams PC repair"
"Fast quality PC repair" or SSIDs of that idea.

Thoughts?

 

[mraikes]

Why not? Personally, I'm skeptical it would be worth it, but you wouldn't lose anything for trying other than the cost of the gear.

"Computer Slow? Bring it to Ingram's!"
"Virus-B-Gone at Ingram's!"
"Still using open networks? You'll need Ingram's soon!"
"10% off with code ### at Ingram's!"

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Why not? Personally, I'm skeptical it would be worth it, but you wouldn't lose anything for trying other than the cost of the gear.

"Computer Slow? Bring it to Ingram's!"
"Virus-B-Gone at Ingram's!"
"Still using open networks? You'll need Ingram's soon!"
"10% off with code ### at Ingram's!"

I can get a cheapo router/wap off amazon prime, I may try this I especially like the 10% off idea (maybe $10 as its easier to math with)

 

[trevm999]

"Still using open networks? You'll need Ingram's soon!"

This!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha

 

[cypress]

Very creative and clever idea.

 

[Markverhyden]

Are you planning on allowing an Internet connection?

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Are you planning on allowing an Internet connection?

I am not. I figured I'd just put a hard password on it...

Any reason to allow internet connection?

 

[Markverhyden]

It's an interesting idea for the proper area. If it was me I'd have a popup login with a simple ToS, tell them they have 30 minutes and the speed is limited to 2mb. Screen shot it to get a x% discount.

 

[GTP]

If it was me I'd have a popup login with a simple ToS, tell them they have 30 minutes and the speed is limited to 2mb. Screen shot it to get a x% discount.

Excellent idea! Can I steal this, please?

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Excellent idea! Can I steal this, please?

Donate $5 to cancer research and the idea is yours to use!

I have ordered a cheapo wireless router, lets see how it works.
I figure the guest and 2.4Ghz band will just advertise, and the 5Ghz will show x% or $x off service. that way everyone can see me but only select people will see the discount.

Updates defiantly to come.

 

[GTP]

Donate $5 to cancer research and the idea is yours to use!

Lost my partner to breast cancer in 2001, so have been making regular donations to the Cancer Council ever since.

 

[fencepost]

My one caveat is that you might not want a truly cheapo router - you might want something you can throw OpenWRT or something similar onto, or one of the Engenius (or Ubiquiti?) APs. All of those should allow you to specify multiple SSIDs, giving you a little more space to work with.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

My one caveat is that you might not want a truly cheapo router - you might want something you can throw OpenWRT or something similar onto, or one of the Engenius (or Ubiquiti?) APs. All of those should allow you to specify multiple SSIDs, giving you a little more space to work with.

I already bought a $12 router with 2.4Ghz 5Ghz, and Guest network, so I'll get to advertise 3 SSIDs... I am not allowing access onto them.

 

[FixOn3]

phase 2 - go mobile and install it in your car. what is your strategy for call2action?

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

phase 2 - go mobile and install it in your car. what is your strategy for call2action?

Holy cow... THIS WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA!


Only if DC electricity was cheap...

 

[FixOn3]

don't use a AC to DC converter. Take the car's battery directly to the router with a 2amp fuse. Alright - do it in 3 phases. phase 1 is your current setup. Phase 2 extend the range with a 1watt ($) or a 3watt ($$) or a 5watt ($$$) wifi amplifier and a omni-directional 12db antenna. If you are getting leads/clients, then go mobile using the same setup in phase 3. don't forget to share the stats

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

don't use a AC to DC converter. Take the car's battery directly to the router with a 2amp fuse. Alright - do it in 3 phases. phase 1 is your current setup. Phase 2 extend the range with a 1watt ($) or a 3watt ($$) or a 5watt ($$$) wifi amplifier and a omni-directional 12db antenna. If you are getting leads/clients, then go mobile using the same setup in phase 3. don't forget to share the stats

Well I just got the $12 router in the mail, will set it up Monday. I don't plan on putting much money into this project. Money is already tight, and I am currently running with an advertisement method that is working rather well and it scary cheap.

I'll post on Saturday next week what my 1-week results are. I don't expect much though.

 

[allstarit]

I like this idea. i just ordered a Android Head Unit for my Car and it comes with a 3G slot for internet. However the signal wouldnt be that great. Definitely need a long range router to make it worth while.

maybe stick one of these on your car lol

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

So here is a curious question.

I got it all set up. on my phone, the SSIDs show up in this order:
Connect to: Mr. Ingrams 2.4GHz

$10 off @Mr.Ingrams
NiceFish
NiceFish-guest
Quality PC Repair@Mr Ingrams
Simple.PC.Solutions@Mr.Ingrams
Virus-B-Gone@Mr.Ingrams

And then I know I have Mr. Ingrams 5Ghz (though my phone doesn't see it)


So I am curious as it looks like IOS orders them alphabetically with symbols at the top.
I don't have an android device to test this. Hoping someone can input on this?

Also, more SSID names that start with "A" - "M" so that my SSIDs are at the top?
I need to get the $10 down towards the bottom.

Not sure if SSID placement on the list will make to big of a difference though...

 

[TurricanII]

If you allow open Internet access (with at least OpenDNS filtering) then many phones will auto connect and, crucially, will remember the SSID in the network list. I am always seeing where I have been through the SSID list.

I might not allow an open WiFi connection without Internet access - it will annoy people if their phone jumps onto your WiFi only to find it does nothing.