A public WiFi Internet service for guests, visitors, travelers and residents. Imagine turning every guest WiFi login into a powerful marketing moment. With Guest Internet controllers, businesses can do more than just offer seamless internet access—they can unlock a whole new world of targeted advertising opportunities. In today’s digital landscape, guest WiFi has evolved from a simple perk to a must-have marketing tool, enabling you to deliver personalized ads, gather valuable customer insights, and boost engagement—all while customers connect to your network. Whether you run a café, retail store, or event space, discover how WiFi ads can transform your internet service into a profit-driving platform.
Many business and locations provide WiFi access to the Internet as a free service or they charge for the service. Here is a short list of the places to find public WiFi Internet.
- Hotels, motels, resorts
- Campgrounds, RV parks
- Airports, in-flight WiFi
- Retail businesses
- Medical office waiting rooms
- Community Internet, condominium Internet
The WiFi Internet services for the public has a login page. The login page is used for several purposes.
- Agree to the terms and conditions of use
- Enter an access code that was provided by the business to connect to the Internet
- Purchase Internet access on-line using a credit card
Guest Internet products are sold in over 65 countries and each country has a preferred method of providing WiFi Internet access. For example businesses of many countries in Africa sell WiFi Internet to rural villages using payments with a system called Mobile Money (MoMo). Guest Internet products have MoMo billing, please contact us to request the MoMo information sheet.
The WiFi Internet service login page is a marketing opportunity
The primary use of the login page is to verify the users credential (access code) to authenticate the user and give the person access to the Internet.
As the login page is seen by everyone who wants to connect to the Internet, it also has another important function; advertising to market products and services.
There are various type of advertising that can be done with the login page, here are two examples.
- Advertise other services that the business provides, for example a hotel can advertise sightseeing trips.
- The business can sell advertising space to neighbors who want to sell products or services, for example a pizzeria can pay to advertise on the hotel login page.
WiFi Ad’s unlock new marketing opportunities
WiFi advertising is transforming the way businesses connect with customers, turning every Internet hotspot into a potential marketing channel.
By leveraging WiFi ads, businesses can engage users as soon as they connect to a network, delivering targeted messages, promotions, and interactive content right at the point of access.
Hospitality businesses and communities offering an Internet WiFi service to guests, customers and visitors have a great opportunity to increase its visibility and turn a potential customer into a loyal customer.
How WiFi Ads Work
WiFi ads are shown to users before they gain access to the Internet. Typically, these ads appear on the login or “splash” page of a WiFi network.
Users might be required to watch a short video, view an image, or simply acknowledge a message before proceeding. This approach ensures that your marketing efforts reach a captive audience, often in real-world locations such as cafes, hotels, airports, malls, and community spaces.
Key Benefits of WiFi Advertising
Targeted Reach: WiFi networks allow advertisers to collect valuable user data—such as age, gender, and location—enabling highly targeted campaigns that resonate with specific demographics.
Cost-Effective Marketing: Compared to traditional advertising channels like TV or print, WiFi ads are more affordable and offer measurable results. Businesses can create campaigns at a fraction of the cost while still reaching large audiences.
Enhanced Customer Engagement: WiFi ads provide a direct line to customers, often prompting immediate actions such as visiting a website, signing up for a newsletter, or redeeming a special offer.
Brand Visibility: Every time a user connects to the network, they encounter your brand, increasing familiarity and recall. This repeated exposure is especially valuable in high-traffic venues.
Data Collection and Insights: WiFi advertising platforms provide detailed analytics, tracking impressions, click-through rates, and user engagement. This data helps businesses refine their marketing strategies and get the best return on investment (ROI).
Best Practices for WiFi Advertising
Personalize the Experience: Use collected data to tailor ads to specific user segments, increasing relevance and effectiveness.
Keep Ads Short and Engaging: Users are more likely to interact with concise, visually appealing content.
Offer Value: Provide incentives such as free WiFi, discounts, or exclusive content to encourage user participation.
Respect Privacy: Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and clearly communicate how user data will be used.
Real-World Applications
WiFi ads are widely used in hospitality, retail, transportation, and community spaces. For example, a coffee shop can offer free WiFi in exchange for viewing a promotional video, while a hotel might use the splash page to highlight room service features, local attractions and partner offers.
Guest Internet controller login process methods
Before designing the login or ‘splash’ page design with advertising, it is necessary to incorporate the login process method. Guest Internet products offer the choice of several login process methods that can be implemented as part of the login page design.
Guest Internet controllers provide alternative login methods for the user to complete the login authentication process. The login methods listed below are designed for specific applications and are configured using the controller user interface.
- Unlimited access (Agree to disclaimer): Agree to the terms and conditions of use; click a button to access the Internet. Free access to the Internet however all firewall rules apply to the data flow. This ensures that the user is aware of the terms and conditions of use. The terms and conditions script can be customized.
- Open Access (No login page): there is no login process however all firewall rules apply to the access. Open access is suitable for condominium associations where the cost of the Internet is charged to the monthly services.
- Registered access (Collect user data): Provide contact information such as name, phone number and email address, which is then sent to the business email account. Up to three data fields can be requested, examples are; name, telephone number and email address. The user is connected to the Internet after providing the information. The information provided by the user cannot be validated, however the data format is checked and verified.
- Controlled access (Require a login code): Controlled access has three alternatives that are configured by the controller user interface, (a) provide an access code to login, (b) provide an access code or purchase an access code with a payment system (see the next list), (c) provide an access code, purchase an access code with a payment system or choose free access for a limited specified time that cannot be repeated for a specified time (available only with Pro gateway products). A login code has several parameters that are listed below.
- Select one of four code types: random, custom, description, MAC address.
- If the code is random, specify the number of codes to generate, up to 10,000.
- Duration that the access code can be used before it expires.
- Maximum download and upload data speed permitted for the code.
- Optional maximum download and upload data volume permitted for the code.
- Optionally allow the access code to be stopped and started to extend the time that it can be used.
- Optional start date and time after which the access code can be used.
- Number of devices that the access code can be used with, default is 1 device to prevent code sharing.
For community WiFi Internet applications or businesses that require customers to pay for the WiFi service, Guest Internet controllers can implement on of several methods to charge users to access the Internet. The charging methods are listed below.
- Print vouchers with access codes for sale.
- Point of sale terminal using the GIS-TP1 (Not available with the GIS-K7).
- Download access codes for custom printing, e.g. print scratch-off cards.
- Credit card payment using a Paypal business account (Not available with the GIS-R2)
- Custom billing API for 3rd party payment systems, e.g. Mobile Money, credit card processors,
- API Integration with subscription systems, e.g. Boingo,
- API Integration with business management systems, e.g. property management systems (PMS), reservation systems.
- 2-tier billing; free low speed and charged high speed.
- 3-tier billing; time limited free low speed service, access code entry, and paid high speed (available only with the Pro series of products, GIS-R10/R20/R40)
Guest Internet controller login or ‘splash’ page options
Guest Internet controllers have five alternative methods of creating a login or 'splash' page. These methods are listed below.
- Create a default login page automatically with the setup wizard when the Guest Internet controller is first installed, the installer provides basic business information to automatically create the login page.
- With the default login page generated by the setup wizard, upload an edited background image with advertising graphics to the Guest Internet controller. Maximum graphic JPG size is 196KB.
- Program a custom login page using HTML, CSS and javascript and upload to the Guest Internet controller. Embed images or load images from an Internet server. The design of the login page is only limited by the capabilities of HTML, CSS and javascript. Maximum HTML file size is 196KB.
- The login page is a Walled Garden; this is a custom developed login page that is part of the business website, the user can navigate the business website via the login page. A login to the Internet is only necessary when the user attempts to connect to any other website. A HTML, CSS and javascript file is installed on the Guest Internet controller.
- External server, the Guest Internet controller forwards the user connection to a login page on an external server that is running a login application. Examples of login applications are purchase Internet access via mobile money (MoMo) or purchase the Internet access via a credit or debit card payment.
Advertising methods that can be installed into the login or ‘splash’ page
Login page advertising can include any method that can be codes with HTML, DSS and javascript. The advertising content can be embedded into the login page file, or downloaded from a remote server, wither as part of the login page display, or on demand as part of an interactive login page process. Some examples of login page advertising methods are listed below.
- Image Ads: Static or animated banners embedded in the login page code and displayed on the splash page.
- Image Ads: Static or animated banners loaded from a remote server and displayed on the splash page.
- Video Ads: streamed from a remote server or from a video streaming service such as YouTube: Users watch a short video before connecting to the Internet. Advertisers can specify minimum viewing time and track engagement.
- Interactive Ads: Surveys, quizzes, or game-type experiences that encourage user participation.
- Promotional Offers: Coupons, discounts, or loyalty rewards can be offered in exchange for WiFi access, driving sales and repeat visits. When requesting user contact information it is essential to offer a reward that is sent to the users contact address to encourage the user to provide the correct information.
- Integrate with social media by forwarding the user to the business social media website.
- Visibility of the business website by forwarding the user to the business website.
The methods listed above can be combined and the login page designer can add new methods as required for the public WiFi Internet application.
Guest Internet login or ‘splash’ pages examples
The first login or ‘splash’ page example is the default login page that is generated automatically when the Guest Internet controller is first configured using the setup wizard. The login page illustrated is configured for Controlled access (Require a login code) and in addition has access code purchasing enabled and also has a free access to the internet for a limited time, in this case for 2 hours within a 24 hour period.
The next login or ‘splash’ page example is graphic image advertising that has been added to the default login page. This advertising is installed by uploading a graphic background for the default login page design.
The next login or ‘splash’ page example illustrates a custom login page prepared using HTML and CSS and uploaded to the Guest Internet controller. The design reflected the business website at the time it was prepared.
Programmers who develop the customer login pages can take advantage of the Guest Internet login page simulator that can be used to test a login page design. Design requirements for the custom login page and access to the simulator are described in the product manual.
The chosen login method is displayed on the custom login page. In the case of the example shown the login method is a request for an access code. The user will have access to the Internet when the code has been authenticated.
The next and final example illustrates the walled garden login or ‘splash’ page design.
The walled garden design extends the business website to the login page. The login page code uses the business website HTML, CSS and javascript code and images are downloaded from the business website. The login page file is uploaded to the Guest Internet controller.
The business website domain is included in the Guest Internet allowed IP list so that the business website files can be accessed before the user provides the login information to access the Internet.
The user can navigate all pages of the business website as part of the login page installation. However if the user attempts to access any domain or IP address outside the website then the chosen login method is displayed; this might be a request to provide an access code in which case the user will have access to the Internet when the code has been authenticated.
Summary
WiFi login advertising is a powerful, directed, cost-effective tool for businesses looking to boost brand awareness, engage customers, and gather actionable insights. By integrating WiFi ads into your marketing strategy, you can turn every public WiFi Internet service into a revenue-generating opportunity and build stronger connections with your audience
Contact us today to start your Internet WiFi sales business. WISPzone has everything you need to start and grow, please contact:
E-mail: info@wispzone.com
Guest Internet makes the best products for community WiFi, please contact:
E-mail: support@guest-internet.com