[dropcap]A[/dropcap]re you on the hunt for a new IT company, but are borderline overwhelmed with the sheer number of options available to you?
Finding the right IT company is no easy feat, but by asking the right questions, this task becomes much easier. Sure, you can pick up the phone and call your nearest IT company, but chances are, you’ll be on the receiving end of a promotional pitch with a company that might not even meet your needs.
To make sure you don’t waste any of your precious time on the phone with hungry salespeople, we’ve put together some guidelines. Let’s help you identify the best IT company for you—without ever even making contact with them.
Now this first question to identifying the best IT company for you is pretty obvious, but it can be difficult to answer. That’s because in order to know if an IT company can meet your needs, you need to know what those needs are.
Do you need a virtual CIO? Or do you need to beef up your level of IT security? Do you want to set up a VOIP system? Or are you interested in HaaS? Identifying your needs makes finding an IT company who is able to satisfy them much easier and you’ll quickly be able to eliminate companies that aren’t relevant to your requirements.
Does the Company Offer the Services You Need?
What Do its Customers Have to Say?
Every IT company will say they offer the best service, right? But that’s just talk—and not the talk you need to listen to. You need to find out what past and present clients have to say about the company.
The easiest way to do this is to check out client testimonies on the company’s website.
No client testimonies? No problem! These days it’s possible to find information on almost every business. So, even if the IT company doesn’t have client testimonies on their website, a quick Google search will reveal its star rating and any reviews left by customers.
A solid support system is the backbone of any IT company worth the name. If an IT company doesn’t offer the type of support you need or want, eliminate them as a contender in your search and find a company that does.
A good IT company should offer an abundance of support channels, so that you can make use of the one you prefer. Do you want to get hold of the support team via email, phone or online chat box? Would you like a dedicated account manager? Is your business a 24/7 business, that needs 24/7 support? Consider what level of support you need and find a company that offers it.
What’s its Level of Support Like?
Where is the Company Located?
Believe it or not but sometimes an IT problem can’t be solved entirely online and an onsite visit will be required. When your lines are down, or your computer is rudely displaying ‘The Black Screen of Death’ the last thing you want to do is wait hours for support to arrive.
That’s why it’s important to make sure that the IT company you have your eye on has a presence in your area—so that a member of its support team can be at your premises quickly. When it comes to searching for IT companies Perth and other big cities like Sydney usually have businesses that operate effectively in all the surrounding suburbs. If you live in a smaller area, your options may be somewhat limited.
Budget concerns are the plague of any businessperson and an unforeseen expense can wreck your cash flow for the rest of the month. Check out the payment options of your potential IT company and make sure they offer a payment plan that suits your business.
A fixed rate monthly fee is usually the best option for most people, as they know month in and month out what they’ll be paying. Others prefer making hourly payments as and when they need IT help. Either way, it should go without saying that you need to make sure you can afford the costs.
Does the Company Offer a Flexible Payment Plan that Suits Your Business?
Final Thoughts
Identifying the best IT company to meet your needs can be a tough job. Follow the guidelines we’ve laid out for you today and narrow down your shortlist of potentials—all without having to make actual contact.
Do you have any red flags you feel people should be aware of when shopping around for an IT company? Share them with us down below.
