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How to Start a PC Repair Business

BY Joshua FeinbergSun May 31, 2009 at 12:21 PM
This blog is written by a member of our blogging community and expresses that member's views alone.
Many IT professionals trying to figure out how to start a PC repair business find themselves wondering, “How can I provide a service that will be valuable to my clients, without giving away the store for free?”

A lot of times those trying to start their own businesses give away way
too many free advice and services in the beginning as they try to
attract and keep clients. There are a lot of reasons why computer
repair specialists give away too many free services. Often they lack
confidence in their abilities and expertise. Or, they don’t have a
grasp on the true expenses of operating their PC repair business. Or
they simply have never been taught any other way.

The truth is, if you want to stay alive in the PC repair business,
you can’t give away all of your valuable services for free. While the
“give it to them free” philosophy might seem to be a way to gain and
keep attention of new customers and clients, it’s not the best way to
grow a business and will ultimately end up backfiring.

The following 4 tips can help you learn how to start a PC repair
business without giving away the store for free, while still building
trust and great relationships with your new customers and clients.

1. Know Your Competition and the Prevailing Rates for Your Types of Services.
A big mistake that many new and even well-established PC repair
businesses make is setting rates too low -- usually way too low. Many
of these people find themselves on the verge of going out of business
very, very quickly. As you learn how to start a PC repair business,
make sure that you know what your credible direct competition is
charging. The truth is, if you set your rates too low or wrong at the
beginning, you will have a hard time changing them. And if you are able
to change your rates, you will probably end up losing a lot of your
customers and clients in the process. So be sure to carefully set your
rates at the beginning of your business to avoid having to totally
start over again later.

2. Don’t Charge Less than Your Competitors. If
you are competent, confident and know you have as much skill and talent
as your competitors, there is no reason to charge less than your
competitors. In fact, some people believe if you charge more, this is a
sign you are really, really good. However, the point is not to see how
much you can charge before you run yourself out of business. You just
need to make sure as you figure out how to start a PC repair business
that you don't sell yourself short. Even better, work with your
accountant to develop a pro-forma Profit and Loss statement (a
P&L), so you can figure out whether or not your planned rate
structure is profitable sooner rather than later.

3. Do Your Homework and Provide Efficient, Professional Service.
Show customers and clients that your firm’s services are worth every
penny. If you build a solid reputation, and are marketing to the right
kinds of small business decision makers, price will not be the main
deciding factor for your target clients. With a great reputation
preceding you, your customers will admire your confidence and work
ethic and be happy about doing business with your company.

4. Focus on Your Company’s Service Agreement Plan.
As you're thinking about how to start a PC repair business, make sure
to consider how you'll develop a great service agreement plan that will
bring in steady, high-paying clients and consistent revenue for your
business. Even before you open your doors, you should have a plan for
on-going contracts in place. A well thought-out service agreement
program is mutually beneficial. It gives your clients peace of mind and
you the opportunity to know where your next paycheck is coming from at
all times.

Topics:

Technology, Leadership, Management, Careers, computer consultants, computer consulting, computer repair businesses, computer resellers, IT solution providers, managed services providers, network integrators, small business IT, smb, systems integrators, VARs, Professional Service Industries Inc.


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