Executive Summary
- Making any change to your business processes will come with its share of stresses and strains, so it’s important to keep things simple – especially when it comes to IT support.
- With so many IT support companies vying for your attention, (and your business), how do you know you’re making the right choice?
- To help give you more confidence in your decision-making when switching IT support providers, here are 7 mistakes many businesses make that you should try to avoid.
Introduction
Your business runs like a well-oiled machine, right?
Well… most of the time, at least.
But when you run a tight ship, it doesn’t take much to rock the boat and cause problems, especially when it comes to business process like IT support. That’s probably why most businesses don’t change their IT support provider very often – but it doesn’t need to be painful or stressful.
If you’re considering switching IT provider, we’ve got you covered, with 7 common mistakes many small businesses make.
Avoid these, and it should be smooth sailing.
Mistake #1: Focusing too much on the price
Everybody likes to get a bargain, but there are times in life when a low price can act as something of a warning sign. If a potential deal with an IT support provider seems too good to be true… it probably is.
While cost should be a consideration, it’s almost never a good idea to go for the cheapest option. Instead, focus on the value the IT provider will bring to your business – and what that’s really worth.
Mistake #2: Choosing an IT support provider that doesn’t understand your business
Because the world is now so roundly focused on digital, it’ll come as no surprise that there are a huge spectrum of IT support services out there.
It’s important that you talk to any potential provider about other customers they’ve worked with. For example, there’s a huge difference between home IT support and business support. And within the business sector, even specific industries and verticals can make a difference — so it’s always worth asking.
Mistake #3: Focusing on the short-term rather than the long-term
Just as we’ve covered in a previous article, there are essentially two types of IT support service: Managed Service Providers and break-fix services.
You can read more in our dedicated article, but the key takeaway here is that a break-fix provider will fix IT issues on a case-by-case basis, whereas an MSP will support you long-term on a subscription basis.
Mistake #4: Not double-checking credentials and expertise
The availability of digital media and websites means it’s easier than ever to appear much bigger than you are. For this reason, you should always do your due diligence on potential IT support partners.
Consider things like how long they’ve been operating, how many technicians they have on staff, whether they have any testimonials or case studies, and so on. By ticking these boxes, you should be able to get a real sense of how experienced this IT support provider really is.
Mistake #5: Picking an IT support company that gets to work a little too fast
A key aspect of any IT partner can be summed up in that single word: partnership. Because you’ll ideally be working with this company on a long-term basis, it’s important that they take the time to understand how your company operates and your core IT-based processes and workflows.
If a potential provider tells you they can get to work with barely any information or background work — it’s time to ask questions.
Mistake #6: Working with an IT provider who doesn’t actually listen to you
In addition to an IT support provider taking the time to understand your business, you should feel confident that that level of communication will continue throughout your partnership.
If your provider is immovably focused on a specific approach or strategy which you feel won’t be the right way for your business, they should hear you out and adjust the plan. If they insist it’s their way or the highway… it’s the highway. They might be the apparent experts, but it’s still your business — and you call the shots.
Mistake #7: Focusing on the software or the hardware – not both
True IT support should always be holistic in its approach.
There are two central pillars to an IT strategy: hardware and software. That means your fleet of physical machines and the apps or services you use, like Microsoft 365. No single one of these is more important than the other, and you shouldn’t settle for one or the other.
A reliable IT support partner will help you build a roadmap for both your hardware and your software. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily supply these assets, but they should at the very least advise on the specific software and hardware solutions which will help you achieve your company’s goals.
Want to switch IT support provider but not sure where to start? We can help
If you’re concerned about falling into any of the pitfalls we’ve covered above, don’t worry – switching IT support provider doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, at Get Support, we pride ourselves on making the switchover as seamless and hassle-free as possible.
How do we make it happen? It’s all thanks to our decades of experience helping small businesses take control of their IT support – and, of course, our incredible team of IT support experts.
If you’d like our crack team help you improve your IT infrastructure in the digital age, and at a price that suits you, just call us on 01865 59 4000 or enter your details below.
