WiFi Billing for Retail Shops and Customer Waiting Areas

A shop with a customer waiting area may choose paid guest WiFi, complimentary access or a mixture of both. LinkDesk supports billing and account workflows on compatible MikroTik networks; the shop should decide the customer offer and protect its business network before deployment.

Keep tills and guest devices separate

Guest access should not imply access to point-of-sale devices, printers or business administration. Document the intended network isolation and have the gateway enforce it. A package payment is an entitlement decision, not a replacement for firewall or VLAN configuration. Include isolation checks in the pilot.

Choose a simple pass

Customers staying briefly need a clear price and duration, with supported limits explained before purchase. Avoid a large package list that staff cannot explain. If vouchers are sold at the counter, keep batch records and payment records associated correctly so stock and collected money can be reconciled.

Define who handles exceptions

A cashier can identify a payment record without necessarily changing merchant credentials. A technician can investigate access without receiving unrestricted owner access. Agree what happens when a customer reports a deduction but cannot browse: check merchant evidence, the account and gateway delivery before asking for another purchase.

Verify service under real shop conditions

Test with guest phones through the access points used in the waiting area. Include expiry, a host restart and periods of busy WiFi use. Billing software cannot fix poor radio reception or an overloaded upstream connection. Internet service, hardware and setup assistance remain separate from the LinkDesk licence.

Questions before buying

Does a voucher sale automatically record cash received?

Use the intended payment-recording workflow. Generated voucher stock and collected payment are different records.

Can guest billing replace my shop’s network security?

No. Network isolation and business-device protection need their own configuration.

Software price and delivery

Current one-off licences are KSh 4,900 for 2 managed routers, KSh 9,900 for 5 and KSh 17,900 for 10, on one installation. The amount displayed at M-Pesa checkout applies to your purchase. Verified payment reveals the product key and prepared installer on your private order page. Hardware, hosting, messaging and separately quoted assistance are external costs.