When deciding on an IT support provider, you’re not just choosing a service; you’re choosing a partner. Just like anything else in life, the right one can lift you up, supporting you and driving you to succeed, but the wrong one could drag you down and halt your progress. In this blog, we’ve compiled
ten top tips to help SME owners find the perfect match for their business and steer clear of a regrettable relationship. Grab a pen and get ready to work through the checklist.
1. Look for a Broad Range of IT Services
First and foremost, take stock of your business’s IT needs. If you’re not entirely sure yet, that’s okay. Make sure you at least note the pain points your team encounters with your current technology. Now, you’re ready to begin looking for the one. In the initial stages, it’s a good idea to search for an IT support provider with a broad range of services. That way, whenever your IT needs evolve, you know your support team will be able to adapt. From cyber security measures to cloud services and beyond, an extensive service offering means the provider can grow with your business, saving you the hassle of switching providers when things stop working out down the line.
2. Choose Personalised IT Service Offerings
While we’re on the subject of adaptability, it’s important to remember that every business is unique, and your IT support should reflect this. If you’re being met with one-size-fits-all packages that don’t feel quite right for you, don’t settle! Choose an IT support provider that offers personalised services tailored to your specific business needs. This could mean curating custom software solutions or designing specific security protocols relevant to the type of data your business handles. Regardless of your tech requirements, any worthy IT partner will meet you where you’re at instead of expecting you to conform to their services.
3. Search for Transparency in Service Agreements
So, you’ve got your potential contenders lined up. It’s time to start narrowing the field. Trust is key in any partnership, so, let’s begin there. A reliable IT support provider should offer clear, straightforward service agreements that outline what services will be provided, the standards of service expected, and what support will be available. Will you receive speedy 1:1 meetings or be referred to a helpdesk regardless of the scope of your issue? Make sure the agreement covers all your business’s potential needs, and if there’s any technical jargon you don’t understand, the provider should be happy to run you through things, free of technobabble.
4. Seek Clarity in Pricing
Transparency and honesty go hand-in-hand, and in addition to clear service agreements, what you’ll be paying for them should be explained thoroughly. Avoid potential providers that offer vague pricing structures or hidden fees, because it’s a clear indicator that you’ll be butting heads about billing later on. A trustworthy IT support team will be upfront about costs, providing detailed, honest pricing that helps you budget effectively for your IT needs. Providing digestible, easily accessible information about all aspects of their service is a good sign for your future relationship with an IT team.
5. Prioritise Local Expertise
Long-distance can work out, but if your business primarily operates in a specific region (Dundee, for instance), local expertise can be a significant advantage. An IT support provider that understands the local business environment, including regional data protection regulations and common connectivity issues, can offer more tailored services than one further afield. A provider with a strong local presence can also ensure quicker on-site support when necessary, meaning in your hour of need, they’re not just a voice on the phone.
6. Pick Comprehensive IT Support
A supportive partner should be there for you around the clock, not just 9-5. The perfect IT support provider should offer accessible, responsive customer service at any hour of the day, because tech issues don’t care if you’re off the clock. Check if the team provides 24/7 support, which can save you hours of stress and downtime by addressing IT issues that arise outside of regular business hours. Also, evaluate the ease of contacting their support team, whether it’s by phone, email, or chat.
7. Go for a Proactive IT Partner
Any relationship requires equal effort, and even in IT land, it shouldn’t always be you reaching out first. A proactive IT support provider does more than fix problems as they occur; they actively work to
prevent issues from happening in the first place. This could mean they take care of regular updates, maintenance, and threat monitoring, as well as advising you on best practices for IT systems management if they spot an area for improvement. Proactivity can save your business time and money in the long run, minimising downtime and giving you the confidence that an expert’s always looking out for you.
8. Opt for a Human-First Approach to IT
No-one wants to deal with a robot. It’s frustrating, it’s impersonal, and worst of all, it makes you feel like you don’t really matter. Not only should your IT service provider prioritise you and your team’s needs, but they should also understand that technology is a tool to help your people perform better, not a solution in itself. Look for an IT support team that takes the time to get to know your business and considers how technology will affect the day-to-day operations of your staff. If they go to the effort of learning the nuances of your company, they’ll be better positioned to help you harness IT and improve operations.
9. Ensure They’re in It for the Long Haul
Sure, flings can be fun, but when it comes to your business, it’s crucial to have an IT partnership that lasts. Your service provider will be an integral part of your business’s operations, so it’s important they’re committed to helping you grow and evolve. A good provider should be interested in your business success, offering regular check-ins and strategic advice tailored to your long-term objectives.
10. Check a Potential IT Provider’s Credentials
They’re flexible, they’re honest, and they’ve got your future in mind. Seems like you’re onto a winner. The last crucial step before entering into any agreement is to verify your potential new IT support provider’s credentials. Ensure they have the necessary certifications and experience relevant to your industry’s technology needs. Recognised credentials from major tech vendors like Microsoft or Cisco, as well as industry-specific partnerships like NCSC Certificate Search – Iasme to check your IT Provider is cyber essentials plus certified, can indicate a provider’s competency and suitability for your business. Check the provider’s customer reviews and testimonials, too; you’ll get the most reliable, useful insight from businesses like yours that’ve already experienced working with them.
Find Your Match with Confidence
There you have it; ten tips to ease your search for an IT support provider. Empowered by this valuable new knowledge, you’ll be able to weed out the IT support services who aren’t worthy of your time, and find the best partner to help your business thrive. Good luck!
Have You Met 1Office, Delivering Bespoke IT Support to UK SMEs?
Based in Dundee, Scotland, we’ve been empowering businesses with tailored tech solutions for over 25 years. With plenty of experience meeting small and medium-sized businesses’ distinctly different needs, we’re confident in our ability to provide suitable support for your business. We’d love to get to know you better; reach out today to discuss your IT goals, and we’ll get back to you shortly (no chance of ghosting here).
