How To Start A Computer Support Business
By Bill Nadraszky
Starting a computer support business is something that with some experience and
training almost anyone can do. As a person owning an independent computer
support business as well as a website to help others that support home users I
thought it would be nice to point out the steps needed to start a business
helping home computer users as well as some of the skills needed to get started.
There are four steps to getting the business started:
Business license
Every area is different but the legal aspect is always important and lends
credibility to your business. Get your business license and also get insurance
in case something goes terribly wrong, like lost business data that gets pinned on you.
Business cards
Of course you need some kind of a calling card. I know a small businessman who
years back worked out that his business increased $1 per month for every business
card he gave out. Go to Staples or Office depot as they have low prices for 500
or 1000 cards with some customization.
Flyers
The bulk of your business will come from flyers that you post up in various
places. Put up flyers wherever possible. I have gone to supermarkets, bulletin
boards at large businesses as well as small and Real Estate and mortgage
offices. Your best success will come in offices where a lot of independent
people work with their main computer being at home not supported at their work.
Computer software
There is no way around this. Over time you will find great software for
diagnosing problems as well as for fixing problems. Two of my favorite CDs for
support are the
Ultimate Boot Disk
as well as the Windows Ultimate Boot Disk. Both of these are free CDs to download
and include a great many pieces of freeware that will help you out. These two Cds
are self booting which is nice but you may also create a disk over time that has
software you can run right out of Windows.
Website
A website is critical. You do not need something really slick but you do need a
site for marketing as well as so that people can contact you or direct others to
contact you. The basic info on the site should be your email, phone number,
services you offer and maybe a menu of services that you offer. You will find
that you do not have to prove how much better you are than everyone else because
word of mouth can move very quickly.
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