Does your small business need IT support?

Despite this, many small businesses haven’t yet engaged IT support services which could in fact enhance their operation and make them more profitable.

Have you considered using the services of an IT support provider? Zestly provide low cost, fixed price IT support for small businesses and sole traders. Each business’s IT requirements differ from the next, so we design per-user packages that do just what the business requires, rather than offering a standard package that might include services that aren’t relevant to you.

What is IT support and do you need it?

To know if you would benefit from IT support, you need to understand exactly what it is! IT support is provided in many different ways with varying costs and service level agreements.

Here’s a checklist to help you decide if you need IT support:

• Do you have a website?
• Are you selling online from an eCommerce site?
• Do you have social media accounts?
• Are you using hardware (PC/laptop/printer/tablet)?
• Have you bought software packages?

Most businesses will answer yes to the majority of these questions. Even just having social media accounts and a website can mean you would benefit from IT support that would prevent disruption to your operation.

What kind of IT support do you need?

Without the funding to employ an IT manager, the best option available for you as a small business is to outsource your IT support. Providers of outsourced IT support such as Zestly work with many different businesses each day.

Monthly subscription from an IT support provider

Also known as managed IT support, each package is priced on a per-user basis to keep the cost and services relevant to the needs of your business. Support is available 24/7 and usually provided remotely.

The benefit of this service is that regardless of how many logged issues you may have, you still pay the same amount each month. The IT support provider has the resources to resolve multiple issues that could occur, as and when required, which would be costly if using ad-hoc IT services.

Ad-hoc IT services

These services are costed on a case-by-case basis which can be beneficial if your IT issues are rare and low risk. However, this could also be costly if, for example, you are subjected to a cyberattack and in need of professional assistance to reinstate your IT systems. You may also not get the speedy response you need to resolve an issue from an IT company that must prioritise subscribed clients.

Free online IT services

If you are in the early stages of your business and unable to commit to IT support, there are free online services that can help you. These might be able to address minor issues by providing a troubleshooting process or answer some IT questions. This will help you in the short term, but it can be a lengthy process, so it won’t provide a sufficient long-term solution.

Support from tech providers

Turning to your website host such as Microsoft, or your hardware supplier, could provide answers that you’re looking for. Support lines and forums can sometimes give you the tools and knowledge to resolve an issue yourself, but this option is often subject to lengthy delays and frustration in trying to get across what the issue is.

Zestly can be your IT support provider

Zestly is an IT support provider primarily for small businesses, sole traders, startups and rapidly growing or changing teams. For more information on how we can provide cost-effective IT support that will help your business grow, get in touch.