Everyone needs tech support from time to time. If you are handy with techie gear, or are just looking for a new business venture, tech support operations are a great investment. While some things about the business are common-sense, such as knowing the product, other are not. Below are tips for starting, and keeping, a successful tech support business.
First off, you need to be sure to obtain A+ certification. This certification means that you have been thoroughly tested on all things tech, and customers need to know that their issues are in the best hands possible. After you obtain you’re A+ certification, you need to look into obtaining Network+ certification.
You also need to be willing to make house calls. It can be complicated to unhook a computer, bring it across town, take it back home and reconnect it if you are unfamiliar with the setup. By making house calls, you can charge a little more, and provide personalized in-home service to customers, which few actually do these days. Also, be sure to keep a log of where your employees go on calls. Call them regularly to check up, as incidents can happen with in-home calls. A good rule of thumb for all employees is that if something looks or feels “off”, to leave.
Another good service is to provide manual (and perhaps free) virus removal. It is quick, painless, and after a few tries easy to do. You can get a good review and reference for a few extra minutes of work.
You also need to get a lawyer. No, I’m not talking about preparing for a lawsuit ahead of time; I’m talking about contracts for repair. You need to know that any little discrepancy could result in a lawsuit, and a contract can help prevent one. Also, another rule of thumb is to have a good tech support merchant account, such as the one offered up by EMB. This can also help alleviate any headaches that may arise from a fraudulent charge situation or hacking. Regardless of how you operate your business, you need to be able to process plastic payment cards, and a tech support merchant account allows you to do so.