Hiring an IT service provider is a huge step. You may have waited a while to make this move and now have realized the need for professional help. If that is the case, you need to make sure you get it right. Look for the red flags mentioned here to ensure you hire a reliable and legitimate IT service provider.
Size Matters
Did the company claim to have 30 employees? Did you stop by on a Tuesday to discover just three people in the office? There’s a good chance this is how it always looks. Today, some smaller service providers may try to stretch their numbers to seem more appealing to larger businesses. Unfortunately, if a serious problem occurs, they may not have the ability or manpower to handle it, which can leave you high and dry and your business in trouble.
A Company with No Reputation
Another red flag is if you have found a company that seems to be a ghost. For example, in most areas, the small business world is a close-knit community. As such, you are bound to know someone who has heard of a service provider (if they are legitimate) that you are considering using. If a company only has a nice website but no reputation, this is a red flag that you should not ignore.
They Show No Interest in Learning About Your Business
Does the service provider take interest in your business? Are they trying to understand what you do? Before making a pitch, the IT management provider should ask about your business challenges, your long-term goals, and other factors that would impact the services they provide. Failure to do this is a red flag and a sign that the service provider isn’t going to focus on what’s in the best interest of your business.
They Don’t Listen to or Respond to Your Questions
If the provider doesn’t seem to be listening or understanding what you are saying, they have no business getting involved with your business. In this situation, you are just another account. They could be trying to “butter you up” to get your business by telling you what they think you want to hear. The conversation you have with a potential IT service provider should be just that – a conversation, not a one-way sales pitch.
They Are Unwilling to Disclose the Specifics of Their Price Model
While an all-inclusive IT service provider may sound good on paper, when you start getting hit with additional costs and charges, things change quickly. The best way to avoid this is by getting to know the price model of the company before hiring them. If they are unwilling to disclose this information, seek services elsewhere.
If you want to feel confident you have found a quality IT service provider, make sure to watch out for the red flags listed here. Doing so will ensure you hire a company that has your business’s best interests in mind. This is going to pay off and help ensure you make the right hiring decision.
If you are ready to seek IT services for your business, The Purple Guys can help! Call and set up an appointment for us to come in. Together, we can access your situation and talk about your needs.