How should you choose an IT support service? It’s a question that you may well find yourself asking when something goes wrong with your computer and you have no idea where to begin. You will not find it difficult to find IT support, but the problem comes with choosing the most suitable provider for you.
There are big-chain IT support companies, and much smaller IT support providers, but choosing between a large or small business is not really the most important decision. Instead, there are a number of important factors that you should always consider, and here are some of them.
Experience
When looking for IT support services in Boston, if you find a business that has been around for a long time, you will be more confident that they provide a good service. However, don’t forget to find out what type of clients they have worked for in the past. Do they tend to provide IT support to private customers or large businesses? Try to find a business that serves customers similar to you if you want to get the best results.
Reputation
When it comes to reputation, what you are really looking for are referrals. If someone can refer you to a business that provided them with a good service, this is a good sign and it does not really matter whether it is a large or small IT support service. If you cannot get a referral, look for testimonials on the website or elsewhere. Check up with the testimonials and ask the previous customers how they found the service, and this will provide you with a good starting point.
Visit the Store
Many IT support services will also have a store where they provide their services or maybe even sell hardware. If they do, try to check it out. Have a look around and take notes: Are there many people complaining? Are the staff helpful and supportive? Get a feel for the store and the staff, and if you like what you see, this could help you to make your decision.
Ask Questions
You could also ask them questions to find out whether the technicians are knowledgeable. Be as detailed as possible, and ask them about different platforms and software to see if they have knowledge of your issue. For example, do they specialize in any particular areas like Linux? Any good IT supports service will be happy to answer your questions, and if they are not, you can easily forget about using them.
Availability
You will probably want to be able to talk to real people who can answer your questions and be there when you need them when you choose an IT support service. If you choose a small business, they may not be able to provide you with a service immediately. However, when they do they may provide you with a more personal service, so there are always pros and cons. One thing to check is whether they have a guaranteed response time as this can ensure that you get the support you need in a timely fashion.
Don’t Make Assumptions
You may have certain assumptions about choosing a small or large IT support service. However, try to be open to the fact that you may be wrong in your assumptions. You will only find out which type of IT support service is right for you by spending time researching the factors above. Then once you have found a good service, you can use it whenever the need arises.
Jeremy is a veteran of IT. He often blogs about common questions and concerns to make the most of technology.
