If you are running a small business, you are likely doing more than one job, one of which will include wearing an IT hat when required. Doing your own technical support is not the most efficient use of your time, but as with all small businesses, your budget probably does not allow you to employ an in-house expert on a full-time basis. What can you do to resolve this issue?
Funding and Support
There is more help than you think available to small businesses, and the first step may be to look at getting some funding or business support by checking out the UK Government website, which has a wealth of information for small businesses and aims to assist them in all areas of growth. You can simply use this site for research and information or start an application for a grant or a business loan.
Outsource IT
One of the most popular routes for IT support is to outsource it. This can be a cost-effective approach if your budget won’t stretch to run it in-house. There are many professional companies who can provide this service and will cover anything from 24-hour maintenance to providing a local on-site support professional. Many of them operate on a monthly contract, which means there is no requirement for big up-front costs or long-term contracts to sign.
On top of the general day-to-day support that is provided by these organisations, you can also opt to host your website and email servers with them. In particular, if you are looking for IT support in Southgate, London, companies such as http://www.pc-docs.co.uk/ and many others specialise in technical support for small businesses.
According to the Business News Daily, it’s not just technical support that many of these organisations can provide. They go way beyond this by keeping up with the latest trends and acting in an advisory role. By utilising your budget to outsource IT, you, as the business owner, can concentrate on growing the business rather than firefighting IT.
Online forums
If your cash flow is really tight, online business forums can be an excellent source of help for small businesses. You will find expertise and support from professionals who can guide you through to a solution, often for a nominal fee.