When you run a small business, IT usually turns into someone's side job. It's the owner, or the person who's "good with computers", until something breaks at the worst possible time. At some point it's worth getting proper support, but the options can be confusing. This guide sets out what to look for.
What good small business IT support covers
- Fixing things quickly when something breaks: computers, printers, email, WiFi, the till.
- Backups that actually work, tested, so you aren't finding out they don't when you need them.
- Security basics: updates, antivirus, strong passwords and two-step login, so one click on a bad email doesn't shut you down.
- Email and Microsoft 365, including setting up and removing staff accounts.
- Setting up new staff and new equipment without a week of confusion.
- Plain-English advice, including telling you what you don't need to buy.
Pay-as-you-go or a monthly plan?
Pay-as-you-go means you call when you need help and pay for the time. It suits businesses with a handful of computers and no regular need, and there's no commitment. It's what we offer: see our business PAYG support.
Managed IT means a fixed monthly fee for ongoing monitoring, updates and a help line. It suits larger teams or businesses that depend heavily on their systems. It's worth it when the monthly cost is less than what you currently lose to downtime and ad-hoc fixes. See what's involved in managed IT.
Neither is "better". The right one is the one that matches how much IT you use, and a good provider will tell you honestly if you're better off with the other.
Red flags
- Long lock-in contracts with heavy exit fees, especially for a small business.
- Vague pricing. If you can't find out what a typical job costs, ask before you book.
- Jargon instead of answers. A good technician can explain a problem in a sentence you understand.
- Pushing products you don't need, such as expensive software or hardware, without a reason.
- No answer to "what happens if it's down?" You should know who you'll call and how fast they'll respond.
- One person who holds all the passwords and won't share them. You should always own your accounts and admin logins.
Questions to ask before you hire anyone
- What does a typical job cost, and is there a call-out fee?
- How quickly can you respond if something stops working?
- Who owns the admin logins to our systems?
- How do you check our backups work?
- Do you cover the areas we work in, and can you come to us?
Start with a health check
If you aren't sure where you stand, our IT health check checklist takes about ten minutes and shows you the gaps worth fixing first. Then call 1800 851 816 or book a visit and we'll go through it with you. We support businesses across Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. See business IT services.
Related guides
Rather someone just fixed it?
Call us and describe what is happening. We will tell you what it is likely to be and what it would involve — before you commit to anything.
1800 851 816 Our servicesWritten by the technicians at Afford IT, Indooroopilly. We service homes and small businesses across Greater Brisbane.