IT Support Company

[RichyMa]

Hello guys, I have graduated from college with a BTEC National Diploma for IT Practitioners, I am 18 and currently un-employed. It has been a life long ambition of mine to start my own company and I thought to myself, there is no better time than right now to get started.

I am basically looking at trying to start my own IT Support company fixing broken networks, computers and the like.

Where/How do I start :|

I have quite a good knowledge of IT Troubleshooting as I have been doing it for the best part of my teenage life.

Any advice on this would be helpful.

 

[Tommo]

Snap. Few years ago I was in your shoes.

Where would you rate your knowledge? Can you be the outsourced systems admin or a guy that fixes printer jams? I personally, found the course pretty naff.

What I would do, is set up shop and offer a health check to local companies, then up sell any problems/shortfalls.

 

[mpbtech]

Get some technical experience working for other companies; it is all about learning the trade you’re in. Maybe volunteer to get your foot in the door which will allow you to learn how things work. The more contacts you have the better. Hope this helps.

 

[SR1Mike]

Hi Richy,

Pleased to hear that you are entering the market place. I have been in the industry since leaving school in 1998, and I have since worked for some of the biggest players in the industry and have now gone it alone.

I would echo the previous posters advice that experience is key, as is knowing how to sound like you know what you are talking about even if you've not come across the problem before.

Have you thought of offering remote desktop support? This way customer pays you, and you provide remote support instead of having to use petrol and time to carry out a home visit.

I have developed a system where by customers can visit our website and we provide remote support direct from there. The portal I have developed is also used as a monitoring tool which you can be offered to business customers to keep tracks on their servers, network switched or VOIP systems. If you want to know more drop me a line as we are having a special launch discount on the system at moment on a monthly lease.

Again I would like to wish you good luck in all you do. If you need help don't be afriad to ask for it

 

[SteveAustin]

Hey Richy,

Good for you mate, although I agree with the other people who have replied, you need experience etc, it is a good time for young people out there to start up on their own.

One piece of advice I would like to give you is to find out exectly what you think you can do and be crystal clear about it. You could go for (not a suggestion, just an example) helping retired people with their PC problems, or specialising in laptop screen repairs, something niche. Don't try to be everything to everyone.

Get a website, get some SEO in place, get onto the Business Link website and keep going to their free courses.

I would also put some cards through doors offering a quick free service such as a laptop health check or something in return for a testimonial / reference site for whatever service you go for, get them on your website.

Good luck and go for it!

 

[RemoteTechs]

Hey Richy,

I echo the words of the other posters, and especially SteveAustin, find a niche, be a specialist of something rather than a jack of all trades. Trying to sell IT services you'll always find someone that has mate who is "good with computers", unless you stand out as a specialist in a specific area you'll just be another guy thats good at computers.
I would also agree, you need some experience, IT is a big sector, plenty of routes you can take and its easier to decide once you have had some experience. I left college and went straight into an IT job and I learnt more in a year with them, than I did at my studies!
As for the business side of it, simple, you do what you can to become your customers advisor for the area you specialize in.
They have a toothache, they see their dentist, the guy they have been going to for the last 20 years. They have a fever, they go to their doctor, the guy they have been going to for the past 24 years, they have a computer problem.... they come to you!
And there is no trick to achieve this, you need to work hard, be trustworthy, have good knowledge of your industry and have GOOD communication skills and be prepared learn from the inevitable mistakes you make.
Plus all the other good advice the other posters have given you.
Best of luck with it.