technical support business plan

How to Start a Tech Support Business

Computers are a standard part of every household and are the primary tool used by a majority of today’s businesses. Most of us, however, have little to no knowledge when it comes to fixing these gadgets when an issue arises. Tech support companies provide support for consumers on an as-needed basis. Both small and large organizations hire tech support companies to provide ongoing maintenance as part of their preventative maintenance strategy, in addition to handling any current obstacles. Services include: installation and maintenance of equipment, software installation, system networking, system auditing, troubleshooting and repair, and training. With the right technical background and equipment, many issues can be solved remotely, eliminating travel time and reducing the overall time it takes to complete the repair.

You may also be interested in additional online business ideas .

Learn how to start your own Tech Support Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a tech support business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Tech Support Business
• Form your Tech Support Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Tech Support Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Tech Support Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Tech Support Business
• Get Tech Support Business Insurance
• Define your Tech Support Business Brand
• Create your Tech Support Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your tech support business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Tech Support Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your tech support business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a tech support business.

Initial investment in this line of business is fairly minimal. You will need the software and hardware required to operate your business, including a high performance computer and at least one monitor. High-speed Internet and a decided phone line should also be budgeted for. If you plan to make house calls, make sure you have reliable transportation. A website and a sound marketing strategy, including online and printed material, should also be a part of your initial investment. General liability business insurance will set you back between $300 to $1500 per year, depending upon the specifics of your company. Experienced professionals recommend budgeting for $12,000 to $28,000, with an additional $10,000 if you decide to franchise .

What are the ongoing expenses for a tech support business?

Much like your start-up costs, ongoing expenses are fairly minimal. Your largest expense, aside from payroll costs, will be continuing education. It is critical, however, that you keep your skills current, so do not try to use this as a way to trim the budget. Additionally, you will want to invest in websites such as Microsoft's Experts Exchange , where you can ask for assistance when you run into a roadblock. Fees will set you back approximately $99 annually. Travel expenses, insurance, website maintenance, and business insurance should also be budgeted for.

Who is the target market?

New business owners are cautioned against defining their target market as “anyone that has a computer issue.” This is too broad. Define your ideal customer based on your skills and experience, as well as what is needed in your area. Since residential clients are often on a tighter budget, consider targeting small businesses. Many tech support business owners have found success focusing on remote PC support.

How does a tech support business make money?

Tech support companies generate revenue from the services they offer, including management of servers, computers, and networks. Clients are billed by the hour.

Hourly rates vary based on region and services provided. The national average is $100 per hour, with rates going as high as $160. It is standard to charge an additional fee for holiday, after-hours, and emergency assignments.

How much profit can a tech support business make?

If you are the sole employee and plan to work fifty weeks out of the year, your business will draw in $150,000 per year with just twenty hours of work per week. When determining your hourly rate, be sure to factor in ongoing expenses.

How can you make your business more profitable?

As previously mentioned, gaining additional certification stands to significantly increase your business’ profits, as does hiring team members with varying skills and experience. If you possess strong communication skills and are well-versed on the subject, offering training and basic computer classes could be a great way to increase your enterprise’s profits.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your tech support business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a tech support business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Certificate of Occupancy

A tech support business is generally run out of a home or office. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location :
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a tech support business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location :
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your tech support business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Service Contracts

Tech support businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and so on.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Tech Support Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Tech Support Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a tech support business

Advertising your business’ services should include a variety of strategies. Many have found success advertising in community periodicals, local newspapers and magazines, computer stores, and at community centers. Ads on social media sites and search engines should also be part of your strategy. Attend business trade conferences and chamber of commerce meetings, networking with as many professionals as you can. One successful tech support business owner indicates that pounding the pavement and educating businesses on the services he offers has generated the greatest number of clients.

How to keep customers coming back

In addition to delivering strong customer service on each job, stress the value of a preventative maintenance plan. Clients will see a reduction in downtime and you will gain steady work.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Are you the person your friends and family call whenever they have a computer or software problem? Do you enjoy working with computers? Have you received any official training or considered obtaining certification? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this business venture could be the perfect fit for you.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a tech support business?

Your days will largely be spent troubleshooting and fixing your client’s computer and software issues. The specifics of what this entails vary, depending upon the services you offer. If your work is done on-site, part of each day will be spent traveling from site to site. Additionally, you will need to spend five to ten hours each week networking and marketing and taking care of any other administrative duties that require your attention. This is an ever-evolving industry, so it is also critical that you remain abreast of the latest trends and regularly add to your arsenal of certifications.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful tech support business?

In this industry, professional training and certification is critical to your success. You must be able to work with a variety of systems and do so quickly and efficiently. A+ certification and Network + certification are both highly recommended. Having strong computer skills, however, is only part of the equation. You must be able to communicate with clients and possess the interpersonal and leadership skills required to network, market, and manage a business. If this is not a part of your skill set, it is recommended that you attend business and/or marketing classes at your local community college or hire a professional to assist you.

What is the growth potential for a tech support business?

Recent reports reveal that the computer services industry generates more than $47 billion annually. The employees you hire and your team’s education and background are, ultimately, what will define your organization’s long-term success.

Not sure if a tech support business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

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Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a tech support business?

Since this is a recession-proof industry where there will always be a need, it is recommended that you carefully map out your business strategy. Those who fail to do so often dissolve their business within the first year. Experienced tech support entrepreneurs offer the following advice:

• Clearly define your workflow and stick to it with each client.
• Use a time tracker to ensure you are billing for the correct number of hours. Failing to do so could result in lost money.
• Be confident in the recommendations you make to clients. While there will be times where your suggestions are met with resistance, it’s important to keep in mind that you are the expert. Work with customers who value your hard work and professional experience.
• Clearly define your hours. Make yourself available during the hours your target market would most require your services.
• Make sure you draw up a contract for each client and make sure it has a strong indemnification clause. Work with a lawyer when drawing up your contract.
• Get as much certification as possible.
• Have a sound system for generating invoices and make payment for services as painless as possible for your customers. Make sure your clients understand when payment is expected.

How and when to build a team

For many, an attorney and bookkeeper are a critical part of their team. When it is time to start building, carefully consider each candidate. Hire staff that is well-trained, has worked in the industry, and possesses the education required to complete the work. Hiring staff that is certified in areas that you are not is also a good strategy, as it expands the pool of customers you can service.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• Learn about more Online Business Ideas

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

Tech Support Business Plan Template & Guidebook

If you’re looking to start a successful tech support business, you’ve come to the right place! The #1 Tech Support Business Plan Template & Guidebook provides an easy-to-follow roadmap that outlines exactly what you need to do to create a professional and comprehensive plan. With insights and tips from leading industry professionals, this template and guidebook offers the tools and resources you need to put your tech support business on track for success.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Tech Support Business [11 Steps]
• 10+ Best & Profitable Tech Support Business Ideas [2023]

How to Write a Tech Support Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your tech support business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your tech support business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a tech support business:

Our mission is to support clients by providing quality and reliable technical assistance, delivered with assurance and a commitment to excellence. We aim to provide cost-effective solutions to our clients’ technical needs, while cultivating long-term relationships of trust and dependability.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Tech Support Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your tech support business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your tech support business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your tech support business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your tech support business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a tech support business?

• Technical knowledge and expertise
• Business license or permit
• Computer hardware and software
• Internet connection
• Phone line/Internet connection
• Printer/scanner/fax machine
• Customer service skills and training materials
• Office supplies such as pens, paper, and file folders.

5. Management & Organization of Your Tech Support Business.

The second part of your tech support business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your tech support business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Tech Support Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a tech support business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a tech support business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your tech support business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your tech support business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your tech support business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tech Support Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a tech support business.

A business plan is an important tool for a tech support business, as it allows the business owners to set goals and objectives, as well as gain insights into potential challenges and opportunities. By having a clear plan of action, the business owners can ensure that their operations are successful and efficient. A business plan can also help secure necessary funding and build credibility with potential investors.

Who should you ask for help with your tech support business plan?

Depending on the specifics of the tech support business plan, you may want to reach out to a variety of professionals such as a lawyer, accountant, business consultant, banker, or small business advisor for guidance.

Can you write a tech support business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a tech support business plan yourself. However, it can be a complex process and you may want to consider enlisting the help of a professional business consultant, who can provide invaluable guidance in structuring your plan and developing a winning strategy.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

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Tech Support Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Tech Support Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on May 11, 2023 Updated on March 13, 2024

Investment range

$2,300 - $5,300

Revenue potential

$72,000 - $360,000 p.a.

Time to build

0 – 3 months

Profit potential

$57,600 - $144,000 p.a.

Industry trend

You can find a computer in nearly every home and business in the United States, but most people and business owners are not tech gurus. That’s why they turn to tech support businesses, making tech support a $7 billion industry. 

If you’re an IT person working for a company, you could strike out on your own and start a tech support company to get a share of that market.

But in addition to tech skills, you’ll need some business know-how. Luckily, this step-by-step guide has you covered with all the insights you need to be on your way to tech support success.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

• Rapidly growing market
• Excellent profit potential
• Low startup costs
• Skills and experience required
• Competitive market

Tech support industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The U.S. customer technical support services market was worth 7.57 billion in 2021.(( https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-customer-technical-support-services-market ))
• Growth forecast – The U.S. customer technical support services market is projected to grow 7.69% annually through 2027.

Trends and challenges

• The increasing number of remote workers is increasing the demand for at-home tech support.
• AI is making tech support processes more efficient, and is even enabling remote tech support.
• A rapidly growing market means more competition for tech support companies.
• The current economic conditions are causing budget cutbacks in areas like technical support.

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for tech support specialists are New York, District of Columbia, and Louisiana. (( https://www.zippia.com/technical-support-specialist-jobs/best-states/ ))
• Least popular states – The least popular states for tech support specialists are Vermont, Kentucky, and Idaho.

What kind of people work in tech support?

• Gender – 25% of tech support specialists are female, while 75% are male. (( https://www.zippia.com/technical-support-specialist-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average tech support specialist has a bachelor’s degree.
• Average age – The average tech support specialist in the US is 42.2 years old.

How much does it cost to start a tech support business?

Startup costs for a tech support business range from $2,000 to $5,000. Costs include a website, computer, and a marketing budget.

How much can you earn from a tech support business?

Typically, tech support companies charge about $150 per user per month for a managed IT service plan. These calculations will assume that you’ll provided services for businesses that have 10 employees, paying you $1,500 per month. Your profit margin after fuel and other costs should be about 80%. 

In your first year or two, you could work from home for four clients, bringing in $72,000 in revenue. This would mean $57,600 in profit, assuming that 80% margin. 

As you gain traction, you might have twenty clients. At this stage, you might have an office and hire staff, reducing your margin to around 40%. With annual revenue of $360,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $144,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a tech support business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Having the required skills and experience
• Breaking into a competitive market

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a tech support business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research could give you the upper hand even if you’ve got the perfect product. Conducting robust market research is crucial, as it will help you better understand your customers, your competitors, and the broader business landscape.

Analyze your competitors 

Research tech support businesses to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews.

• Make a list of tech support businesses that offer similar services. 
• Review your competitors’ services – their features, pricing, and quality – and marketing strategies.
• Check out their online reviews and ratings on Google, Yelp, and Facebook to get an idea of what their customers like and dislike.
• Identify your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. 

This should identify areas where you can strengthen your business and gain a competitive edge to make better business decisions.

Why? Identify an opportunity

You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing an outsourced IT support company that also offers computer repair, or a tech support company that offers 24 hour service to handle emergency technical issues.

You might consider targeting a niche, such as support services for small businesses, or data security services.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your services

In additional to basic tech support services, you could offer computer repair, network security services, data security services, or handling other tech needs.

How much should you charge for tech support services?

Your prices should be based on market prices in your area, but also on your costs once you have a technical team.

Once you know your costs, use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

You can decide to target individuals or businesses. If you target businesses, you can find business owners on LinkedIn or call on them directly.

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out an office. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Tech Support Business Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “tech support” or “technical support”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Nexa Support” and “IT Infinite” over “Health Tech Support” and “FinIT Assist”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
• Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead and reserve your business name with your state, start the trademark registration process, and complete your domain registration and social media account creation. 

Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick a name, reserve it and start with the branding, it’s hard to switch to a new name. So be sure to carefully consider your choice before moving forward. 

Step 4: Create a Tech Support Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: Provide a concise summary of your tech support business plan, highlighting its objectives, target market, and financial projections.
• Business Overview: Describe your tech support company, including its location, the range of tech support services offered (e.g., IT troubleshooting, software installation), and any specialization in specific tech areas.
• Product and Services: Detail the specific tech support solutions you provide, such as remote assistance, on-site visits, software support, hardware repair, and service-level agreements (SLAs).
• Market Analysis: Analyze the tech support market in your area, considering factors like demand for tech assistance, demographics of potential clients, and emerging tech trends.
• Competitive Analysis: Identify key competitors in the tech support industry, highlighting what differentiates your business, such as pricing, response time, technical expertise, or personalized service.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategies for acquiring and retaining clients, including online marketing, partnerships with businesses, referral programs, and tech educational content.
• Management Team: Introduce yourself and any team members, emphasizing their qualifications and experience in the tech industry and business management.
• Operations Plan: Describe the day-to-day operations of your tech support business, including staff roles, customer support channels, appointment scheduling, and tools and software used.
• Financial Plan: Present financial projections, including startup costs, revenue forecasts based on client volume, pricing models, and profitability estimates for your tech support business.
• Appendix: Include supporting documents like client testimonials, certifications, service agreements, and any market research that supports your tech support business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to tech support businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your tech support will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company ( LLC ) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.  Here’s how to form an LLC .
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.  Read how to start a corporation here .
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital: Venture capital investors take an ownership stake in exchange for funds, so keep in mind that you’d be sacrificing some control over your business. This is generally only available for businesses with high growth potential.
• Angel investors: Reach out to your entire network in search of people interested in investing in early-stage startups in exchange for a stake. Established angel investors are always looking for good opportunities. 
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like  Kickstarter  and  Indiegogo  offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like  Fundable  and  WeFunder  enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a tech support business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.  

Step 8: Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a tech support business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your tech support business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.  

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as  Front , or ZenDesk , to manage your support tickets, workflows, and customer communications.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Create a website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism. You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

Your customers are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. SEO will help your website appear closer to the top in relevant search results, a crucial element for increasing sales. 

Make sure that you optimize calls to action on your website. Experiment with text, color, size, and position of calls to action such as “Schedule Consultation Now”. This can sharply increase purchases. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Targeted Online Advertising: Leverage platforms like Google Ads and social media to target specific demographics, ensuring your ads reach individuals or businesses seeking tech support, maximizing your advertising budget.
• Customer Referral Program: Incentivize your existing clients to refer others by offering discounts or additional services, creating a word-of-mouth marketing engine that capitalizes on satisfied customers.
• Educational Content Marketing: Develop and share informative content through blog posts, video tutorials, or webinars, establishing your business as an authority in the tech support domain and attracting potential clients seeking valuable insights.
• Partnerships with Local Businesses: Form partnerships with local businesses that may not have in-house tech support, providing mutual referrals and expanding your reach within the community.
• 24/7 Remote Support Packages: Offer round-the-clock remote support packages to attract clients who need immediate assistance, giving your business a competitive edge in responsiveness and service availability.
• Customer Loyalty Programs: Implement loyalty programs that reward repeat business, fostering long-term relationships and encouraging clients to stick with your services for their ongoing tech support needs.
• Free Workshops and Seminars: Host free workshops or seminars in your community on common tech issues and solutions, showcasing your expertise and establishing a direct connection with potential clients.
• Localized SEO Optimization: Optimize your online presence for local search engine results by incorporating location-specific keywords, ensuring your business appears prominently when potential clients search for tech support services in your area.
• Customer Testimonials and Case Studies: Showcase success stories through customer testimonials and case studies, building trust and demonstrating your ability to resolve complex tech issues effectively.
• Social Proof on Social Media: Actively engage on social media platforms, sharing success stories, client testimonials, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your tech support team to humanize your brand and connect with your audience.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your tech support business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your tech support business could be:

• On demand tech support for one monthly fee
• Keep your business running with reliable tech support
• Tech support within one hour of your call

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a tech support business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in tech support for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in tech support. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a tech support business include:

• Tech Support Specialist – handle customer tech needs
• Customer Service Rep – handle customer calls, assign support tickets
• Marketing Lead – create and implement marketing strategies
• General Manager – scheduling, accounting

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Tech Support Business – Start Making Money!

Individuals and businesses alike need tech support sometimes, which is why the tech support industry is growing rapidly. Businesses, in particular, are seeking outsourced tech support services to avoid the cost of having full-time tech employees. You can meet this market need and make some good money at the same time.

You’ve got the business insights you need, so now you’re ready to launch your new and lucrative tech support company!

• Tech Support Business FAQs

A tech support business can be profitable, but the profitability will depend on various factors, such as the size of the business, the target market, the pricing strategy, and the competition. Generally, there is a growing demand for tech support services as technology becomes increasingly complex and ubiquitous in our lives.

The growth potential of a tech support business is relatively high. With the ongoing development and adoption of new technologies, there will always be a need for businesses and individuals to seek out support services. Additionally, as more people work remotely, there may be an increased demand for remote tech support services.

A tech support business is a service-based business that provides technical assistance and support to individuals or businesses. This can include troubleshooting computer issues, setting up new hardware or software, configuring networks, and resolving cybersecurity issues.

Yes, it is possible to start a tech support business on the side, especially if you have the necessary technical skills and experience. However, it may be challenging to balance your full-time job or other responsibilities with running the business. Starting small and gradually scaling up the business may be a good strategy in this case.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Tech Support Business Name
• Create a Tech Support Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Tech Support Business - Start Making Money!

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Technology Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Technology Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your own Technology business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Technology businesses.

Technology Business Plan Example & Template

Below is a Technology business plan template and sample to help you create each section of your own business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Kearney Tech Inc., located in Houston, Texas is a tech startup that focuses on developing and commercializing new artificial intelligence (AI) technology applications designed for small-to-medium sized businesses. The company has created proprietary technology that helps businesses improve their profitability by using AI to increase customer engagement. We offer multiple products, including AI hardware, marketing AI software, and CRM AI software. Many of our most basic services are free, but the rest can be accessed by paying a subscription fee. By providing flexible and affordable subscription options for our clients, Kearney Tech Inc. aims to be the next big technology company in the AI space for small and medium-sized businesses.

Kearney Tech Inc. was founded and is led by Abigail Kearney. Abigail has been a senior software engineer for nearly 10 years and has extensive experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In addition to her experience, she has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA. Her education and experience are sure to lead Kearney Tech Inc. to success.

Product Offering

Kearney Tech Inc. will showcase a variety of different applications for its AI technology that companies can utilize to increase their customer engagement from day one. Businesses can choose the platform package that works for them, based on a freemium subscription pricing structure.

The following are the services that Kearney Tech Inc. will provide:

• AI Hardware
• Marketing AI Software
• Customer Relationship Management AI Software
• Customer Support AI Software
• Technology Training: Training sessions on how to use our AI solutions and integrate them into their businesses

Customer Focus

Kearney Tech Inc. will serve small to medium-sized businesses within a 30-mile radius of Houston, Texas. Many of the businesses in our target demographic are startups looking to expand their reach and thus would benefit from technology that can increase their customer base.

Management Team

Kearney Tech Inc. will also employ an experienced assistant to work as a business analyst and help with various administrative duties around the office. She will also hire several developers, salesmen, and other administrative staff to assist her.

Success Factors

Kearney Tech Inc. will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Management: Abigail Kearney has been extremely successful working in the technology industry and will be able to use her previous experience to provide the best service experience. Her unique qualifications will serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than Kearney Tech Inc.’s competitors.
• Relationships: Abigail Kearney knows many of the local leaders, business managers, and other influencers within Houston, Texas. With her 10 years of experience and good relationships with business leaders in the area, she will be able to develop an initial client base.
• Proprietary technology : The company has developed proprietary AI technology that will be used to add new data sources, expand on valuable insights, launch advanced features like benchmarking, provide predictive and prescriptive analytics, and ensure self-guided data discovery.
• Client-oriented service: Kearney Tech Inc. will have full-time customer service and sales managers to keep in contact with clients and answer their everyday questions.

Financial Highlights

Kearney Tech Inc. is seeking a total funding of $400,000 of debt capital to open its office. The funding will be dedicated to office design, software development, marketing, and working capital. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Office design/build: $50,000
• Software development: $150,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $25,000
• Working capital: $25,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Kearney Tech Inc.:

Company Overview

Who is kearney tech inc..

Abigail began researching what it would take to create her own technology company and did a thorough analysis of the costs, market, demographics, and competition. Abigail has compiled enough information to develop her business plan in order to approach investors.

Kearney Tech Inc.’s History

Once her market analysis was complete, Abigail Kearney began surveying the local vacant office space and located an ideal location to house the technology company. Abigail Kearney incorporated Kearney Tech Inc. as a Limited Liability Corporation in April 2023.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Located available office space for rent
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Determined equipment and necessary supplies
• Began recruiting key employees

Kearney Tech Inc. Services

Industry analysis.

As of 2021, the global technology industry was valued at approximately $5.2T. Of all countries worldwide, the United States currently has the largest technology market, with 32% of the market share at $1.7T. The technology industry in the U.S. accounts for a large part of the nation’s economy.

The Information Technology market can be segmented by categories such as software, devices, infrastructure IT and business services, emerging technology, and telecom services. In the United States, IT and business services hold the greatest market share (30%), followed by software (20%) and telecom services (20%).

Market drivers include the economy, employment rates, and the digital transformation of daily life for a growing number of people and businesses worldwide. Corporations and organizations are seeking IT service providers that can help improve their software, cybersecurity, data, and infrastructure. Technology companies that can provide products and services that cater to these issues can be competitive in the constantly evolving market.

Technology is an integral part of society. Developments in AI and machine learning are essential to keep society moving forward and make businesses more efficient. Therefore, businesses will always be in need of AI solutions to bring in more customers and streamline their services and products. According to Market Watch, the Technology industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 25.73% from now until 2027. Very few industries see this growth, which shows how much demand there is for technological solutions. Therefore, we expect Kearney Tech Inc. to see great success in our local market.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Kearney Tech Inc. will serve the small and medium-sized businesses of Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas.

Many small businesses in the community are startups or established enterprises looking to expand their reach and thus would benefit from technology that can increase their customer engagement.

Customer Segmentation

Kearney Tech Inc. will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Small businesses
• Medium-sized businesses

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Kearney Tech Inc. will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.  

Tekuserv has been a reliable technology company in Houston, Texas for more than fifteen years. The company is known for its wide range of technology solutions that serve many small-to-medium-sized businesses. With its large number of experts focused on delivering customer satisfaction, the organization maintains its high standard of developing quality products and providing exceptional customer service. Tekuserv provides business software on a freemium subscription basis. It develops enterprise technology solutions with a focus on customer relationship management.  

Prime AI Business Solutions

Prime AI Business Solutions is a technology development company in Houston, Texas. In business for several years, the company has developed highly-rated AI solutions used by many well-known businesses in a variety of industries. Prime AI Business Solutions now offers a range of AI hardware and software products geared toward helping businesses of all sizes increase their customer base. The company has also introduced a “pay-as-you-grow” pricing model that scales to provide users with more support as they scale up.  

AICE Developments

AICE stands for Artificial Intelligence for Customer Engagement. AICE Developments is also a local technology company that manufactures and distributes a variety of technology products. AICE Developments was established in 2009 in Houston, Texas, providing integrated AI applications and platform services. Its products include applications and infrastructure offerings delivered through various IT deployment models, including on-premise deployments, cloud-based deployments, and hybrid deployments. The company serves automotive, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, retail, utilities, construction, etc. It provides AI solutions for enterprise marketing and customer engagement.

Competitive Advantage

Kearney Tech Inc. will be able to offer the following advantages over the competition:

• Proprietary technology: The company has developed proprietary AI technology that will be used to add new data sources, expand on valuable insights, launch advanced features like benchmarking, provide predictive and prescriptive analytics, and ensure self-guided data discovery.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Kearney Tech Inc. will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Service built on long-term relationships
• Big-firm expertise in a small-firm environment
• Thorough knowledge of the clients and their varying needs
• Proprietary technology developed by skilled software engineers

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Kearney Tech Inc. is as follows:

Kearney Tech Inc. understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The company will encourage its clients to refer other businesses by providing economic or financial incentives for every new client produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness after the business has already been established.

Social Media

Kearney Tech Inc. will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. The brand manager will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. It will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Website/SEO

Kearney Tech Inc. will invest heavily in developing a professional website that displays all of the features and benefits of the technology company. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the brand’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Direct Mail

Kearney Tech Inc. will blanket businesses with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on Kearney Tech Inc., offer discounts, and/or provide other incentives for companies to use the AI platform.

Kearney Tech Inc.’s pricing will be on par with competitors so clients feel they receive great value when purchasing the technology.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Kearney Tech Inc.:

Operation Functions:

• Abigail Kearney will be the Owner and CEO of the company. She will oversee all the operations and executive functions of the company. In the beginning, she will also provide customer support and market/sell AI products to potential clients.
• Abigail will employ an experienced assistant to work as a business analyst and help with various administrative duties around the office.
• Abigail will also hire several developers to maintain and develop AI products and services.
• Abigail will also hire a solid sales team to sell our products to potential clients. As the company grows, she will also hire a team that is solely dedicated to customer service.

Milestones:

Kearney Tech Inc. will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

5/2023 – Finalize lease agreement

6/2023 – Design and build out Kearney Tech Inc.

7/2023 – Hire and train initial staff

8/2023 – Kickoff of promotional campaign

9/2023 – Launch Kearney Tech Inc.

10/2023 – Reach break-even

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

Kearney Tech Inc.’s revenues will come primarily from its technology solution subscription sales. The company will use a freemium subscription model, in which basic functions can be used by any company for free. Additional solutions and support will be available in a tiered package model based on the enterprises’ size and the number of users.

The office lease, equipment, supplies, and labor expenses will be the key cost drivers of Kearney Tech Inc. Ongoing marketing expenditures are also notable cost drivers for Kearney Tech Inc.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Average number of clients per month
• Annual rent: $20,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, technology business plan faqs, what is a technology business plan.

A technology business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your technology business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections. You can easily complete your Technology business plan using our Technology Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Technology Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of technology businesses, some examples include: Network technology, Software technology, and Customer relationship technology.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Technology Business Plan?

Technology businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Technology Business?

Starting a technology business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Technology Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed technology business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your technology business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your technology business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Technology Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your technology business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your technology business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Technology Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your technology business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your technology business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful Technology business: How to Start a Tech Company

How to Start a Tech Support Business in 3 Simple Steps

Are you handy with all things tech? Are you the type to talk your friends through their tech issues?

If so, you might want to consider starting your own tech support business.

Don’t worry if you find the idea of turning your skills into an actual business intimidating—starting a business isn’t rocket science (or even computer science). 

It’s just a series of steps, which we’ll take you through below. When we’re done, you’ll have the knowledge you need to start your own tech support business!

3 Steps to Start a Tech Support Business

Ready to start your tech support company? Just follow these simple steps below:

• Lay the ground work
• Set up your business
• Start finding clients

The Easy Parts of Starting a Tech Support Business

The good news about tech support is that there’s a constant demand. Most companies, even small ones, have a fairly steady stream of technology-related issues. And with new technology coming on the scene practically every day, that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

If you can establish yourself as a reliable and effective service provider, you should be able to find steady, well-paid work.

Also, as a tech-savvy person, you have the advantage of being, well, tech-savvy. You’re less likely than other people to be intimidated by the technological parts of creating a company, like building a website, installing business software, or setting up a business phone line. 

The Difficult Parts of Starting a Tech Support Business

The most difficult part of starting a tech support business often isn’t either the technology or the business. Sometimes it’s the people. Often, you’re dealing with clients who are frustrated, pressed for time, and maybe even feel a little foolish that they can’t figure a particular problem out themselves.

People in those situations can be cranky and may take their frustrations out on you. It’s important to develop patience, tact, and a thick skin.

As far as the work itself goes, setting up a business is relatively easy, but marketing yourself can be tricky. You have to have a solid grasp of the value you bring to your clients, be able to communicate that quickly and clearly, and learn not to take rejection personally.

And while working for yourself has some definite perks (your boss rocks!), it also means that the buck stops with you. You’re ultimately responsible for every decision that you—or anyone you hire—makes.

Fortunately, you’re also in control, and there are simple steps you can take to give yourself the best shot at success.

Step 1:  Lay the Groundwork

You know you’ve got strong tech skills and you’re excited to get your fledgling business off the ground. But don’t quit your day job yet! Before you hang out your shingle, it’s important to build a solid foundation.

Research Your Market

Don’t assume that just because there’s a need for tech services that you’re guaranteed to get clients. Before you do anything else, find out what specific skills are in demand in your area. 

Begin by evaluating your skills and getting a clear picture of what kind of services you want to provide. No matter how much of a whiz kid you are, chances are you’re not equally skilled at all tasks. There may be some areas of tech support in which you lack skills, experience, or just plain interest.

While it may be tempting to say you’ll do “anything,” and wing it when the time comes, you’re better off focusing on your strengths for now. You can always learn new skills later. 

Next, think about who needs what you have to offer. Small to mid-sized companies? People working from home? Can you provide remote support or are you strictly in-person? Understanding who needs you what you’re offering will save you time and energy when looking for clients.

Also, be sure to validate that the people you’ll serve are able and willing to pay you for what you provide. This can save you an enormous amount of time, money, and frustration by ensuring that there is a strong, paying market for what you have to offer.

The simplest way to start is with people you know. Ask about the kind of tech problems they face, at home and at work, and try to get a sense of how much they’d be willing to pay for help.

Get specific about the pain points they’re dealing with—are they spending money on tech services they don’t need? Wasting time trying to get software to run properly? Or are they worried about data security?

Understanding what parts of their technology stresses them out most helps you position yourself as the best solution to their problems.

While you’re talking to them, ask them about how they find tech support (word of mouth? advertising?) and how many hours of tech support they typically need per month. 

Researching competing tech support companies in your area is also a good way to study the market. Don’t lose heart if there are already several competitors nearby. Instead, try to find out more about them. You may find that you can provide services or serve clients that they don’t. 

If you can find an underserved niche and are confident that you’d like to turn this into a business, then it’s time to start taking steps to make it happen.

Create a business plan

A business plan helps you organize all the ideas you have about running a business into a coherent document that answers questions like:

• What are your start-up costs?
• Who are your clients?
• How will you find them?
• What will your ongoing expenses be?
• How much will you need to charge in order to be profitable?
• What do you need to charge and how many hours will you need to work to be profitable?

If you think you might ever want to take out a business loan or get someone to invest in your company, a well-done business plan will be essential. For now, you don’t need to worry about perfect grammar or spelling.

It’s more important that you go through all the pros and cons of starting your own business, know what it will cost to start the business and keep it running, and have a realistic understanding of how much you can potentially earn.

Step 2: Set up Your Business

Once you’ve validated your concept, it’s time to turn it into a real business. The following steps will help make it official.

Register your business

Setting yourself up as a legally registered business not only makes you look more professional, it also confers tax benefits and extra liability protection.

In most cases, especially if you’re running the business by yourself, a limited liability company (LLC) is a smart way to go.

This type of business entity helps protect your personal assets because it limits your liability to just the assets of your business. In other words, if you’re sued by a client or unable to pay your business debts, your personal assets, like your home or your savings, can’t be seized.

The exact process for registering your business as an LLC varies from state to state. The cost to file also varies, but it’s typically around $200–$300. You can register your business yourself or you can hire a third-party LLC registration company to do it for you. 

In most states, you’ll need to renew your LLC annually. This is usually a simple matter of updating your information and paying a renewal fee and can often be done online.

Register a Doing-Business-As (DBA)

Also known as a “fictitious name,” a DBA is only necessary if your registered business name is different from the name you’d like to work under. Registering a DBA ensures that no one else in your area can use your business name, and also gives you the flexibility of starting a new business without having to create an entirely new LLC. 

Before you choose a fictitious name, check to make sure no one else has already registered it—most states allow you to check availability for free online.

Fortunately, the process to register a DBA is usually simple and inexpensive and can be done through the same state agency where you registered your LLC. Like LLCs, you’ll typically have to renew your DBAs annually.

Get a business bank account

It’s not enough to simply register your business. You also have to be able to prove that you’re actually operating a business and not just looking for a way to write off random expenses. Opening a separate bank account is one of the best ways to show that you’re taking your status as a business owner seriously.

Added benefits are that it will help maintain the advantages that being an LLC gives you and it will make simplify recordkeeping and tax compliance. 

All you need to open a business account is a business name and an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which you can get from the IRS simply by filing online.

Set up an accounting system

In addition to your bank account, you’ll also need a way to send and track invoices, bills, and taxes. You can hire an accountant or bookkeeper to track all this for you or invest in accounting software.

Our review of The Best 8 Accounting Software for Small Businesses can help you find the best fit for your situation.

Get insurance

Any time you’re going in and out of people’s homes or offices, not to mention dealing with expensive equipment, there’s the potential for accidents—imagine spilling coffee on a laptop you’re supposed to be fixing or having a client trip over a cord you left out and get hurt.

You could also get sued for libel or slander if, for instance, your advertising is skewed or a tweet is misconstrued.

General liability insurance typically costs $350 – $900 per year for $1 million in coverage and covers you for:

• Bodily injury
• Property damage
• Medical payments
• Legal defense and judgment
• Personal and advertising injury

Another type of insurance worth considering is Errors and Omissions (E & O). This protects you if your clients sue you over work-related errors such as project delays or coding errors.

Finally, if and when you hire employees, you’ll need workers’ compensation insurance to cover expenses should your employee become ill or injured while on the job. 

Step 3: Start Finding Clients

It’s not enough to be good at what you do—or even the best at what you do. You also have to let people know who you are and how you can help them. Let’s start getting the word out!

Build a website

One of the simplest yet most effective things you can do to support your business is to create a website. It’s a smart move for any company, and it’s essential for one that offers tech support.

Your potential customers need a place where they can find out about your services, read testimonials from satisfied clients, and find out how to contact you. As a tech expert, you probably have the skills to create a website, but that doesn’t mean you should put a lot of time into building it yourself. Also, be realistic about your design skills—being a tech whiz doesn’t always translate to coherent branding and a beautiful layout.

When it comes to your website, it’s more important to communicate clearly with your customers than to show off your tech skills. 

Start with your existing network. Make sure to let your friends and family know what you’re doing and ask them to spread the word. 

Then start branching out to people you don’t know. Check out your local chamber of commerce and attend some meetings. Look for meetups of small (or not-so-small) business owners or home-based entrepreneurs or whoever your target market is.

And of course, don’t forget social media. It’s a great place to let people know who you are and what you do, and there are often opportunities to jump into conversations with tips and tricks that can help establish you as a tech expert.

We don’t recommend sinking a lot of money or time into paid advertising until you’ve made the most of the free options available to you. That said, there will come a time when you’ll probably have to pay for some kind of advertising. Even then, we suggest you try one form of advertising at a time before moving on to another one. 

Remember back in Step 1 when you were talking to potential clients? Hopefully, you asked them about where they learn about tech support services. Facebook and Instagram can be great ways to target local people, but don’t overlook local magazines and papers.

Regardless of the medium you use, always ask new clients how they heard about you and keep track of what methods are getting the best results.

Privacy Overview

Start a Tech Support Business

Become the Digital Superhero: Vanquishing Tech Troubles with Your Own Tech Support Business

TECH SUPPORT BUSINESS

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IT Services Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

IT Services Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their IT companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating an IT business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write an IT business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an IT Services Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your IT business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for IT Company

If you’re looking to start an IT business or grow your existing IT company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your IT business to improve your chances of success. Your IT business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for IT Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an IT business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for IT companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for an it services business.

If you want to start an IT business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your IT business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of IT business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an IT business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of IT businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the IT industry.
• Discuss the type of IT business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of IT business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of IT businesses:

• Computer repair: This type of IT business provides computer maintenance and repair services.
• Computer training: This type of IT professional specializes in teaching others how to use computers as well as various software and computer programs.
• IT support: This type of IT professional provides services for businesses such as setting up a network, backing up data, and systems management.
• Cloud computing: This type of IT specialist helps individuals and businesses establish cloud platforms and tools, or may help to migrate their information to the cloud.

In addition to explaining the type of IT business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of new clients served, the number of repeat clients, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the IT industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the IT industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your IT business plan:

• How big is the IT industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your IT business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your IT business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of IT business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your IT Business Plan in 1 Day!

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With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other IT businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of IT consultants, in-house IT support, or do-it-yourself IT tutorials. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of IT business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your product or service?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an IT business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of IT company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide cloud computing, data center management, or network setup services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your IT company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your IT business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your IT marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your IT business, including answering calls, meeting with new clients, billing and collecting payments from clients, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your IT business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your IT business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing IT businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing an IT business or successfully running a small IT consulting service.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you charge your clients an hourly rate of $250 per hour, and will you work 5 hours per day? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your IT business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing an IT business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of your IT credentials.

Writing a business plan for your IT business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert on IT business planning. You will understand the IT industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful IT business.

IT Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my it services business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your IT services business plan.

How Do You Start an IT Services Business?

Starting an IT business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your IT Business
• Create Your IT Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your IT Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your IT Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your [Sector] Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your IT Business
• Buy or Lease the Right IT Business Equipment
• Develop Your IT Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your IT Business
• Open for Business

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your IT business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan services can give you a winning business plan.  

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Remote Tech Support Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Technology Sector

Are you about starting a tech support company? If YES, here is a detailed sample remote tech support business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

In today’s world, computers are a standard part of every family and a major tool used by businesses. But the majority of the people have little to no knowledge when it comes to fixing these gadgets when an issue arises. That is why tech support businesses offer support to consumers on an as-needed basis.

Large and small ventures leverage the services of tech support companies to provide ongoing maintenance as part of their preventative maintenance strategy.

Their services include: installation and maintenance of equipment, software installation, system networking, system auditing, troubleshooting, repair and training. As a Tech support entrepreneur, most of your days will be spent troubleshooting and fixing your client’s computer and software issues.

What this entails vary depending upon the services you offer and the services your client needs. Additionally, you will need to spend five to ten hours each week networking and marketing and taking care of any other administrative duties that need your attention.

When starting this business, it will be wrong to classify your target market as “anyone that has a computer issue.” This is too vast.

Define your target customer based on your skills and experience, as well as what is needed in your area. Since residential clients are often on a tighter budget, consider targeting small businesses. Many tech support business owners have found success focusing on remote tech support.

Tech support companies make revenue from the services they offer, including management of servers, computers, and networks. Clients are billed by the hour. Recent report has it that the computer services industry generates more than $47 billion annually.

The employees you hire and your team’s education and background are, ultimately, what will define your organization’s long-term success. Also note that professional training and certification is vital to your success. A+ certification and Network + certification are both highly recommended.

Having strong computer skills, however, is only part of the equation. You should also have the ability to communicate with clients and possess the interpersonal and leadership skills required to network, market, and manage a business.

A Sample Remote Tech Support Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Information Technology (IT) services are sometimes seen as an all-encompassing range of services, including computer programming, custom software design, hardware and software consulting, integrated systems design, training in software and hardware, systems management, and modifications of custom software.

Just like every other sector in the computer service industry, companies finding that they need one or all of these complex tasks often choose to hire an outside IT company rather than hire specialists in-house.

Industry reports have it that service providers in the industry compete not only with one another, but with manufacturers and retailers as well. Although IT service providers choose to serve a company’s entire bevy of needs, companies will frequently sign multiple providers for different services.

One factor that is becoming very popular for service providers is the “turn-key” system where an IT company negotiates to provide all the computer and software setup for a company as well as training, maintenance and continuing repair. Increasing wage costs have led to worries about profit margins in the industry getting tighter.

According to industry experts, there has also been a major push towards outsourcing, especially to india. One recent report estimated that 43% of US companies outsource at least some of their IT function. Internet service providers can also be said to be part of this industry as they provide internet access to businesses and individuals.

Far more than any of the other sectors, the ISP field is dominated by large companies. High speed internet, which consists of cable and DSL primarily, and newer technologies such as WiMax and FiOS, is dominant, replacing the earlier dial up connections which were prevalent in the 1990s.

The united states has 280m internet users as of 2015 – nearly 87% penetration. Nearly 90mm of those are broadband users.

Generally, computer service is a massive industry containing a number of different subfields. As computers continue to dominate our lives, there is more of a need than ever before for computer professionals. Because computers are always changing, that need should only increase as time goes forward.

2. Executive Summary

Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. is a remote technology and computer support firm registered and located in Seattle, Washington. We intend to serve corporate, customer-focused computer support companies. We plan to focus our service and support to differentiate our firm from more price-oriented computer support companies.

Computers and other technological gadgets are a standard part of our society and a major tool used by most businesses today. But even with the growing need and demand, most people have little to no knowledge when it comes to fixing these gadgets and most businesses cannot afford an in-house tech support department.

That is why we at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. offer support for corporate individuals and businesses on an as-needed basis. We also believe that the current trend towards an increase in the number of entrepreneurs and competition amongst existing companies presents an opportunity for us to penetrate this market.

We understand that, for us to prosper, we need to be flexible and responsive, to delight clients by providing them with what they want, when they want it, and before the competition can offer it. One of our key objectives is to achieve this through a solutions approach that is customer-centric, and in which the customer’s business objectives enjoy top priority.

Immediately the needs and processes are understood and described, leading edge products and best-of-industry skills will be applied to develop a fitting solution in the most cost effective way.

Seattle’s economy is driven by a mix of older industrial companies, and “new economy” Internet and technology companies. Also, with Seattle being one of the fastest-growing U.S. city, with a 3.1% annual growth rate, it presents us with a viable market.

Our marketing strategy at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. will ensure our clients know what need we are able to fulfill, and making the right service available to the market. We intend to implement a market penetration strategy that will ensure that our services are well recognized and respected in our industry.

We hope to ensure that our promotional strategy involves traditional advertising, Internet marketing, personal selling, public relations, and direct marketing, details of which are provided in the marketing section of this plan. Our intangible resources, such as our ability to relate to customers, our management style, corporate culture and commitment will go a long way to boost our brand.

We believe that these elements will differentiate us from our competitors and propel us towards the development of a sustainable brand. Our plan is not just to market and sell our product and services, but to provide customized services and products that will enable our clients to optimize their output and, assist in the attainment of their goals and objectives.

3. Our Products and Services

Our aim at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. is to provide technological products and services to corporate and small businesses.

We will also provide wireless network systems and services and also design and install computer and technological gadgets, offer training, and support. In putting our business together, we have attempted to offer viable services to allow us to always be in demand.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. is to serve our clients as trusted allies, providing them with the loyalty of a business partner and the economics of an outside vendor.
• Our mission at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. is to be an established corporate firm that fulfills its obligations as a critical part of society. We believe that all our business decisions will offer appropriate weight and consideration to social and environmental impacts.

Our Business Structure

Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. understands that human resource element is a very crucial component in the delivery of service.

We believe that by rounding up enthusiastic, capable, and empowered people, we can be able to meet our clients’ needs. We hope to provide our teams enough leverage in decision-making to ensure that clients are handled promptly and to reduce lead-time in service delivery.

Our management philosophy at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. will be based on responsibility and mutual respect.

We also appreciate the need to be constantly changing so as to adapt to the ever competitive environment. We will have a flexible structure allowing for all business processes to be undertaken swiftly and smoothly. We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. plan to start with the following business structure;

Chief Executive Officer

Technical Director

• Marketing and Advertisements manager

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Sales and Marketing manager

Content designer and technical head

Client Service Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

• Tasked with building the firm’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counselling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Tasked with providing direction for the business
• Will also be tasked with creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Tasked with signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Works as the project manager of the organization; works directly with employees
• Tasked with designing advert concepts and winning business proposals for the organization
• Tasked with developing strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives.
• Tasked with accomplishing subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making mid-course corrections.
• Should be able to coordinate efforts by establishing procurement, production, marketing, field, and technical services policies and practices; coordinating actions with corporate staff.
• Tasked with building company image by collaborating with customers, government, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices.
• Obligated to maintain quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
• Tasked with maintaining professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Makes certain that operations and marketing department perform efficiently, coordinate employee efforts, and facilitate communications between management and employees
• Tasked with making sure that the organization work in line with international best practices.

Marketing and Advertisement manager

• Tasked with handling media planning, buying & representation
• Tasked with creating advertising campaigns
• Tasked with disseminating advertising campaigns through available mediums, such as TV, Radio and periodicals et al
• Tasked with handling core digital services such as brand affinity, banner advertising, video advertising, rich media advertising, sponsorship advertising, classifieds/directories, lead generation, mobile messaging/email, digital display advertising, mobile advertising, social media management
• Handle other related media and advertising advisory and consulting services
• Tasked with overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Will have to define job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Tasked with carrying out staff induction for new team members
• Tasked with training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily office.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Tasked with managing external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Obligated to model demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer
• Should be able to identify development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
• Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Tasked with handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Tasked with supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Create new markets cum businesses for the organization
• Empower and motivates the sales team to meet and surpass agreed targets
• Tasked with preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Tasked with providing the Companies management with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting report
• Tasked with financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Should be able to perform cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Tasked with developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Tasked with administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc.
• Serves as internal auditor for Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc.
• Tasked with creating content for the organization as it relates to advertising
• Tasked with creating content/buzz words that will help attract traffic
• Tasked with Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Tasked with engaging internet users to get help statistics and leads
• Liaising and working effectively With other staff members to generate sales for our clients
• Tasked with welcoming clients and potential clients by greeting them in person, online or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Makes sure that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the creative director in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information are supplied to clients when they make enquiries.

6. SWOT Analysis

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. understand that conducting a SWOT Analysis is very necessary to any new venture, as it is an in-depth look at our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. We also understand that we are in a highly competitive and profitable market in a growing economy.

We envisage our strengths as our ability to respond to the market and to provide custom designed technological services. Here is a summary of the SWOT Analysis;

• In-depth Knowledge. From our extensive research, our competitors are mostly retailers, pushing boxes. We know systems, networks, connectivity, programming, and data management.
• Relationship Business. Our plans to get to know our customers, one by one. Our direct sales efforts will seek to maintain a relationship with our customers.
• Diversified market segments. The array of products and services we intend to provide will ensure the lack of dependency on one particular market.
• Diversified workforce. Our management team at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. plans to jointly develop business strategy and long-term plans with its strategic allies, having wide experience in their respective market and product know-how, and strong technical skills and business know-how.
• We understand that putting together new business practices and personnel who have not previously worked together presents a challenge to our company.
• Our limited financial base compared to the current major players in the computer service industry.

Opportunities

• Technological advancement. The growing opportunities presented everyday by technology offers us another area of strength in comparison to the box-on-the-shelf major stores. Our potential customers want more help with their network and gadgets, and we intend to be in a better position to give it to them.
• As our target market needs more service, our competitors are less likely than ever to provide it.
• Innovation reduces the life cycles of products and hence the need to act timely on the market.
• Issues of decision-makers over ease of access and overall security of new technologies may need to be addressed.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trend

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. believe that staying ahead of the curve in our industry can be important to exceed expectations with customer service and make it a competitive advantage during the sales process. From our research, we were able to find out that some companies are starting to utilize external chat bots for requests like addresses, hours of operation, and phone numbers.

On the back end, complex automation rules created in customer service software are enabling agents in the industry to work more efficiently as applicable tickets and information are routed directly to them with little effort. As a remote tech support firm, we understand that having a cloud-based customer service software solution in place lets agents around the world help customers anywhere, any time.

It provides a full history of all past communication and detailed “notes” (i.e. top customer, demanding personality, etc.) so all team members can be in a better position to be successful. All of this information makes agents smarter than ever and better equipped to find the right answer and deliver it in a manner the customer will accept.

Another reason many companies are investing in customer service technology is because of the strong customer demand and response for customer self-service solutions. Now that these solutions are included automatically within customer service software, there is little reason for companies to not have an online support presence.

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. expect the number of system integrations to grow and for B2B integration solutions to become not only more complex but also more seamless. The amount of information shared between systems will increase and a wider acceptance of “webhook” technology will make it easier for more integration to share information in real-time.

We also understand that over the past decade, mobile has significantly changed the ways companies provide customer service. With USA smartphone ownership in 2017 (77%) more than double what it was in 2011 (35%), companies will continue to pivot away from traditional phone support and become more well-versed in other offerings.

Self-service is obviously on the list, but one that will continue to grow and see increased usage is live chat. Having a chat solution built-in to customer service software with easy access to information and conversation history helps to boost response times and decrease the disconnection rate.

From our extensive research, there are only two common themes that remain consistent in our industry – technology and communication enablement. We believe that companies will continue to use technology so customers can find their own answers easier (through personalized self-service) and agents can be more efficient in assisting customers.

8. Our Target Market

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. plan to focus on proactive, market seeking organizations that want to ensure an efficient and effective IT system that will assist in the realization of their business objectives.

We envisage that our target companies are big enough to need the high-quality IT management we offer, but too small to have a separate computer management staff. But, our most important group of potential customers will be business executives in large, medium, and small corporations.

They will include marketing managers, general managers, sales managers, and other decision makers who often need to access company data and information in their various business decisions. These individuals will not waste their time or money looking for bargain information, questionable expertise, or cheap computers and accessories.

We also hope to offer an attractive development alternative to the company that is management constrained and unable to address opportunities in new markets and new market segments, due to technological shortfalls. Our target businesses are dependent on reliable information technology.

They use the computers for a complete range of functions, beginning with the core administration information such as accounting and record entry, communications, and personal productivity.

• Our Competitive Advantage

A huge majority of proactive, market-oriented businesses understand the value of having an efficient computer system. They are much more likely to pay for them when the offering and benefits are clearly stated. We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. understand that we will compete more against the box pushers than other service providers.

We need to effectively compete against the idea that once a computer is outdated, businesses should buy new ones, when with ongoing service and support, they can be upgraded. The most crucial element of general competition, by far, is what it takes to keep clients for repeat business. Our competitive advantage at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. is our positioning as a strategic ally with our clients.

We believe that by building a business based on long-standing relationships with satisfied clients, we will simultaneously build defenses against competition. We’ve noted that the longer the relationship stands, the more we help our clients understand what we offer them and why they need it.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

Our plan at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. is to showcase our company as a strategic ally to our clients. We also plan to offer extremely reasonable prices in comparison to competition, and we need to be able to sustain that. Market penetration through lower prices shall be undertaken where need be, with premium pricing in the case of the upper-end of the market. We plan to use the following strategies to reach our targeted audience;

• Advertising

Our plan is to undertake extensive advertising of the services we offer. We will instill awareness and knowledge of our existence in the marketplace, which shall convert into market share. We will advertise in business and IT magazines that are read by our target market and will ensure we are adequately exposed on the market. Advertising will also be conducted through television, radio, newspapers/magazines, and the internet.

We plan to make sure that once we gain a customer, we never lose him/her. That is why to further accomplish this, we must work to create and maintain relationships. Word of mouth will be a powerful form of marketing due to the fact that its flexibility will enable us to match the customer’s needs to specific attributes of our services.

• Public Relations

Knowing that we are relatively new in our industry, there will be a need to organize an event to clearly introduce ourselves onto the market. We plan invite potential customers, senior officials, possibly including a government official and other stakeholders, so as to penetrate the market. We also intend to place news stories and features in magazines and newspapers to keep stakeholders updated on the latest developments and to increase awareness.

• Internet Marketing

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. also plan to sell our services over the Internet as it is cost effective to reach a large number of potential clients.

10. Sales Forecast

One of our objectives at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. is to create and maintain a follow-up strategy to gauge performance with all our clients. We will also formalize and measure cross-functional working communication so as to ensure that the various departments work harmoniously towards attainment of company objectives. We will also instill a culture of continuous improvement in customer satisfaction and efficiency.

For us to understand what we have and what we are expected to reach, we’ve analyzed and set out our sales forecast. This sales forecast was done after extensive research, discussion, and analysis of what is obtainable in the industry. Outlined below is the sales projection for Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc.

• First Fiscal Year:  $600,000
• Second Fiscal Year:  $1,340,000
• Third Fiscal Year:  $4,878,000

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We will base our publicity strategy primarily on informing prospective customers of our existence and making the right information available to our target customer. We intend to make use of forearm promotional campaign to introduce all our products and services to the market. In alignment with our marketing plan, we will take advantage of several media sources in announcing our services and in the process enforcing awareness of our existence.

• Sources of Income

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. will gain revenue streams from a combination of licensing agreements, sales commissions, monthly subscriptions, registration fees, network access charges, service fees, transaction charges, training, promotional incentive programs, and sales of hardware and software. We believe that our derived value will come from the key partnerships established.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

We understand that we will be competing more against the box pushers than other service providers. We plan to charge appropriately for the high-end, high-quality service and support we offer. We plan to ensure that our revenue structure matches our cost structure, so the salaries we pay to obtain good service and support must be balanced by the revenue we charge. That is why we must make sure that we deliver and charge for service.

• Payment Options

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. are very much ready to provide a wide range of payment methods to suit our clients. We hope to make our business dealings so simple and comfortable for our customers. We’ve also employed the use of a banking platform to help us provide all the services we will be offering below.

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Just like we stated above, our intangible resources, such as our ability to relate to customers regarding their needs and wants, management style, corporate culture and commitment will go a long way to boost our brand. We believe that these elements will differentiate us from our competitors and propel us towards the development of a sustainable competitive advantage.

Our plan was never to just market and sell our product and services, but to provide customized services and products that will enable our clients to optimize their output and, assist in the attainment of their goals and objectives. Outlined below is a detailed cost analysis of starting Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc.;

• Incorporating fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $40,000
• Leasing/renting an office space in a good location in Silicon Valley that will accommodate the number of employees for at least 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) will cost – $165,000.
• The cost for furnishing and equipping the office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, servers / internet facility, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $40,000
• The amount required to purchase the needed software applications – $3,500
• Launching an official Website will cost – $500
• Our budget for advertising and publicity – $40,000
• The amount needed to pay bills and staff members for at least 2 to 3 months – $100,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000
• Miscellaneous – $10,000

From the above cost analysis, we need about $640,000 to start Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc.

Generating Funding/Startup Capital for Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc.

We at Eric Pearson® Remote Tech Support, Inc. want to finance growth mainly through cash flow and equity. This means we will have to grow more slowly than we might like. But the most important factor in our case is collection days. We can’t push our clients hard on collection days, because they are in larger companies and will normally have marketing authority, not financial authority.

That is why we need to develop a permanent system of receivables financing, using one of the established accounting systems. In turn we intend to ensure that our investors are compatible with our growth plan, management style, and vision. Compatibility in this regard means:

• A mutual respect and understanding for giving our customers value, and for maintaining a healthy and congenial workplace
• Sticking to our realistic forecasts, conservative cash flow, and financial management
• Cash flow as first priority, growth second, profits third
• Ability to follow the project objectives and contribute valuable input to strategy and implementation decisions.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

We envisage major growth in sales and operating expenses, and a bump in our collection days as we spread the business during expansion. Although we acknowledge that collection days are very important, we do not want to let our average collection days get above 30 under any circumstances.

This could cause a serious problem with cash flow, because our working capital situation is chronically tight. However, we recognize that we cannot control this factor easily, because of the relationship with our clients.

We also acknowledge that our initial marketing and training expenses will be relatively high as we seek to become known on the market. We believe that this will be brought about by the development of sales literature, advertising expenses, and function expenses.

As our market share grows and revenue is generated, further marketing programs and the expansion of those in existence at the time will be undertaken, to ensure market development. However, with time, these programs will start generating revenue for the business, which we shall reinvest.

It is also important to state that our macro-environment is very promising. Our business is in the middle of an unprecedented boom, as unimaginable advancement offers information technology like we never dreamed of. Meanwhile, all other signs are positive.

We believe that the current drive by the government towards a more diversified economy presents an opportunity for our business to excel in our intended markets, benefiting from the support of the concerned institutions and trade bodies.

We plan to ensure that our marketing strategy emphasizes focus. Our target market will include key decision-makers in business, which often order or recommend on behalf of the whole organization. We also plan to initially build image and awareness through consistency and distinctiveness in our product and service provision. We will also focus on delivering quality services that produce good referrals, which can then generate revenue.

We intend to have a heavy personal selling component, supported by regular advertising and we will always be active in our personal relationships with clients and strategic allies. We also intend to achieve growth by establishing a more enthusiastic customer culture than our competitors.

The strategy is to grow the business by nurturing customers, differentiating the product/service offering through service and staff behavior. We also believe that through the implementation of a fair, effective, and competitive remuneration policy we will optimize our human resource output and advancement.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Leasing, renovating and equipping our facility: Completed
• Generating part of the startup capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of software applications, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with banks, financial lending institutions, vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

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• How To Start A Tech Support Business

If you ask any entrepreneur, starting a business comes with its fair share of challenges.

Starting a tech support business requires a great deal of effort, dedication and most importantly passion .

If you're willing to put in the effort to build your own business, you're going to want to follow the critical steps to creating a successful brand.

We've created a guide that covers each step of the process - from making key financial decisions, to launching and marketing your business the right way, and tips/strategies on how to grow your business effectively.

Start A Tech Support Business ➜ avg revenue (monthly) $10K see all tech support businesses ➜ starting costs $20.1K see all costs ➜ gross margin 54% time to build 330 days average product price $200 growth channels Word of mouth business model Subscriptions best tools Integromat, Revue, Streak time investment Full time pros & cons 26 Pros & Cons see all ➜ tips 3 Tips see all ➜

💡 Introduction To Starting A Tech Support Business

Is starting a tech support business right for you.

There are many factors to consider when starting a tech support business.

We put together the main pros and cons for you here:

Pros of starting a tech support business

• Ability to start your business from home

It's not necessary to have a physical storefront or office space to get your business started. You can do everything from the comfort of your own home, at least in the beginning!

• Little startup costs required

The cost to start a tech support business costs significantly less money than most businesses, ranging anywhere from 62 to 40,061.

• Rewarding work

Starting a tech support business can be really rewarding work. After all, you are solving an immediate issue for your customer and you're working on something you truly care about.

With businesses and processes changing daily, there will always be demand for new features, products and services for your business. Additionally, there are several different business models and pricing tiers you can implement that will allow you to reach all types of customers.

• High margins

The gross margins for your tech support business are typically around 54%, which is considerably high and allows you to grow your business and manage costs easily.

• Pick & choose the clients you work with

Tech Support Businesses have the ability to choose the clients they work with. You have the freedom to work with only a few loyal clients or with hundreds of clients!

• You are your own boss!

With starting a tech support business, you are the one to make decisions for almost all of the operations. Calling the shots can be empowering and liberating!

• Higher likelihood of getting referrals

This business is all about referrals, which can be a a very impactful way to attract and retain customers. It's critical that you have a great referral program in place that incentivizes your customers to tell their friends about your product.

• Face to face interaction

If you are the type of individual that thrives on human interaction, then this is the business for you! With a tech support business, you will be hands-on with customers and or employees every day.

• Simple business model

A tech support business has the advantage of a simple business model, which makes launching and building the business more seamless.

• Strong Demand & Relatively Recession Proof

The demand for tech support business is increasing year over year and the business is known to be relatively recession proof.

• High Hourly Pay Rates

On average, the hourly pay rates are high for your tech support business - which means quality of clients is often superior to quantity of clients.

• You establish yourself as an expert

With starting a tech support business, you establish yourself as an expert in your niche, which builds your credibility. In return, customers are more likely to trust you and refer you to other friends and family.

Cons of starting a tech support business

• Crowded Space

Competition is high when it comes to your tech support business, so it's important that you spend a good amount of time analyzing the market and understanding where the demand lies.

• Motivation of employees

If you plan to have a sales/content team on board, finding creative ways to motivate them can be a challenge. It's important that you're able to offer great incentives and a good work environment for your employees.

• Security Issues

With any Saas business, data loss and security issues may arise throughout your process of building your product. It's critical that you understand exactly what you're responsible for and how to avoid potential issues down the road.

• Isolation

Often times, as a tech support business, you typically work alone and do not have much face-to-face interaction with other team members.

• Stressful work

This line of work can be stressful for both you and your clients. This type of transaction is a significant financial decision for your client, so expectations are very high for you. Although this career path can be very rewarding, it also comes with its challenges and stressful moments.

• Time commitment

With starting a tech support business, all responsibilities and decisions are in your hands. Although this is not necessarily a negative thing, work life can take over at times. This can place a strain on friends and family and add to the pressure of launching a new business.

• Impatient customers

You may offer an engaging user experience for your customer, but customers expect a lot and may be impatient if they aren't pleased with your product or service.

• Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone!

Although this is exciting for some entrepreneurs, it can be a big challenge for others! You may find yourself in uncomfortable social and business situations, jumping into tasks and responsibilities you aren't familiar with, and pushing yourself as far as you can go!

• You might struggle financially (at first)!

If you bootstrap your business or choose not to pay yourself (or pay yourself less than you were making at your corporate job), this can be financially taxing. It's important to adjust your lifestyle and set a plan for yourself so you don't find yourself in a stressful situation.

• More of a challenge to run your business from home!

Running your business from the comfort of your own home is a big appeal for many entrepreneurs. With a tech support business, you are more likely to run your business out of your office or storefront space.

• Work is not always glamorous

With starting a tech support business, you may need to get your hands a little dirty. Although it may seem glamorous from the outside to start this business, the work can require a lot of physical activity and repetition.

• The job can be demanding

This is one of the major disadvantages starting a tech support business. It's important to understand that you may need to make yourself available on a 24/7 basis.

• High liability

Running a tech support business involves a lot of liability, which means the cost for insurance premiums may also be high.

Big Players

• AVG.com (1.27K Alexa Ranking)
• Broadcom Inc. (10.5K Alexa Ranking)
• Sparklight (58.2K Alexa Ranking)
• Alorica (66.5K Alexa Ranking)
• SYKES (73.7K Alexa Ranking)

Small Players

• WP OK - Revenue $10K/month
• LinkHelp - Revenue $4K/month
• Kopf Consulting - Revenue $3K/month
• Instatus - Revenue $2K/month
• PageGuard - Revenue $200/month

Search Interest

Let's take a look at the search trends for tech support over the last year:

How To Name Your Tech Support Business

It's important to find a catchy name for your tech support business so that you can stand out in your space.

Here are some general tips to consider when naming your tech support business

• Avoid hard to spell names: you want something easy to remember and easy to spell for your customers
• Conduct a search to see if others in the space have the same name
• Try not to pick a name that limits growth opportunities for your business (ie. if you decide to expand into other product lines)
• As soon as you have an idea (or ideas) of a few names that you love, register the domain name(s) as soon as possible!

Why is naming your tech support business so important?

The name of your business will forever play a role in:

• Your customers first impression
• Your businesses identity
• The power behind the type of customer your brand attracts
• If you're memorable or not

It's important to verify that the domain name is available for your tech support business.

You can search domain availability here:

Find a domain starting at $0.88

powered by Namecheap

Although .com names are the most common and easiest to remember, there are other options if your .com domain name is not available. Depending on your audience, it may not matter as much as you think.

It's also important to thoroughly check if social media handles are available.

As soon as you resonate with a name (or names), secure the domain and SM handles as soon as possible to ensure they don't get taken.

Here's some inspiration for naming your tech support business:

• Reinforcement Group check availability
• Armed Service Co check availability
• The Prima check availability
• Limno Sci Trading Co check availability
• Carte Support check availability
• Constant check availability
• Ray Technological Place check availability
• Armed Service Group check availability
• Persis Service check availability
• Mutual check availability
• Underpin Trading Co check availability
• Diplomatic Help check availability
• Commercial check availability
• The Popular Documentation check availability
• Technology Group check availability
• The Poly Technicians check availability
• Consumer Place check availability
• Domestic Serving Pro check availability
• Technologies Collective check availability
• Corporate Caller check availability
• SingleCustomer check availability
• Regular Overhauling check availability
• Structural Stand check availability
• The Chem Technologies check availability
• Wide Bolster Place check availability
• Foreign check availability
• Biotechnology Group check availability
• Governmental Sustenance Co check availability
• The Lip check availability
• The Frequent check availability
• Sophisticated Techno Group check availability
• LimnoTech check availability
• Substantiate Co check availability
• The Much Endorse check availability
• Ing check availability
• Med check availability
• ExternalCustomer check availability
• Key Tenant check availability
• The Federal check availability
• Empirical Underpin Trading Co check availability
• The Efficient check availability
• Substantial check availability
• The Good check availability
• The Dissatisfied check availability
• Corporate Clients check availability
• Sci Trading Co check availability
• Divine Service Group check availability
• Full Reinforcement Group check availability
• Foreign Military Service Collective check availability
• Secret Staff check availability
• Evert Support check availability
• Clientele Trading Co check availability
• Further check availability
• Sufficient Sustenance check availability
• Regular Help Trading Co check availability
• Profitable Subscriber Spot check availability
• Adopt Support check availability
• Sufficient Subsidize check availability
• The Aft check availability
• Favorite Client check availability
• The Substantial check availability
• Divine Help Group check availability
• Avail Place check availability
• Limno check availability
• Direct check availability
• Military Overhaul Place check availability
• Naval check availability
• The Official Documentation check availability
• Obstructer Customer check availability
• Loyal Armed Service Collective check availability
• Ongoing Endorse Group check availability
• Technical Funding Collective check availability
• Social Subscribe check availability
• Overhaul Trading Co check availability
• Public Bolster Spot check availability
• Technicians Place check availability
• Female Subscriber Co check availability
• Selfless Staff check availability
• Tenant Group check availability
• RayTech check availability
• Corporate Custom check availability
• Voc Technological Collective check availability
• The Male Buyer check availability
• Satisfactory System check availability
• The Online check availability
• Solid See Through check availability
• Confederate Armed Service check availability
• ConfederateService check availability
• The Emotional check availability
• Logistic check availability
• Key Consumers Co check availability
• Time Client Spot check availability
• The Tough check availability
• Parental Affirm Trading Co check availability
• Religious Service Collective check availability
• The Useful check availability
• Adored Support check availability
• Administrative Documentation check availability
• Georgia Technicians Group check availability
• GeorgiaTech check availability
• Overhaul Collective check availability
• Curtain Service check availability

Read our full guide on naming your tech support business ➜

How To Create A Slogan For Your Tech Support Business:

Slogans are a critical piece of your marketing and advertising strategy.

The role of your slogan is to help your customer understand the benefits of your product/service - so it's important to find a catchy and effective slogan name.

Often times, your slogan can even be more important than the name of your brand.

Here are 6 tips for creating a catchy slogan for your tech support business:

1. Keep it short, simple and avoid difficult words

A great rule of thumb is that your slogan should be under 10 words. This will make it easy for your customer to understand and remember.

2. Tell what you do and focus on what makes you different

There are a few different ways you can incorporate what makes your business special in your slogan:

• Explain the target customer you are catering your services towards
• What problem do you solve?
• How do you make other people, clients, or your employer look good?
• Do you make people more successful? How?

3. Be consistent

Chances are, if you're coming up with a slogan, you may already have your business name, logo, mission, branding etc.

It's important to create a slogan that is consistent with all of the above.

4. Ensure the longevity of your slogan

Times are changing quickly, and so are businesses.

When coming up with your slogan, you may want to consider creating something that is timeless and won't just fade with new trends.

5. Consider your audience

When finding a catchy slogan name, you'll want to make sure that this resonates across your entire audience.

It's possible that your slogan could make complete sense to your audience in Europe, but may not resonate with your US audience.

6. Get feedback!

This is one of the easiest ways to know if your slogan will be perceived well, and a step that a lot of brands drop the ball on.

Ask friends, family, strangers, and most importantly, those that are considered to be in your target market.

Here's some inspiration for coming up with a slogan for your tech support business:

• Tech Is Everything You Need.
• Teches With Level
• Washing Machines Live Longer With Tech.
• Medi Tech, Let's Start Today!
• Wrapped Up With Tech.
• Tech Is Forever.
• Mamma Mia, That'sa Spicy Tech!
• Make It A Tech Night.
• Tech Always The Right Choice
• Designed For Tech, Engineered To Last.
• Tech Tested, Mother Approved.
• Teches With Analysis
• Teches With Judgment
• Don't Live A Little, Live A Tech.
• Space Of The Technicians
• Ray Technicals Are What We Do
• I Lost Weight With Tech.
• Work Hard, Biomed Harder
• Medical Tech, Take A Seat
• Biometric Is What We Do
• Whatever You're Into, Get Into Tech.
• From Middle To Eminent
• Only A Fool Breaks The Tech.
• Just Like Tech Used To Make.
• From Operative To Health Check
• Poppin' Fresh Tech.
• Tech, Does The Job.
• Cal Tech, We're Commiitted
• Cuts Tech Time In Half.
• Medi And Peppy
• Surgical Techniques Are What We Do
• Tech New And Improved.
• Futuristic Is What We Do
• Everyone's Favourite Tech.
• Low Computers Are What We Do
• Truly Tech.
• Surgical And Vertical
• Order A Tech Today.
• Long Live Tech.
• Santa, All I Want Is Tech.
• Cal Tech, We Care
• Teches With Center
• Break Me Off A Piece Of That Tech.
• Surgical And Incontrovertible
• Low Technologicals Are What We Do
• You Too Can Have A Tech Like Mine.
• Teches With Temperature
• From Low Spirits To Last
• Medi Tech, Done Right
• Surgical Tech, Let's Get To Work
• Tech. It's What's For Dinner.
• Praise Tech.
• Electronic Is What We Do
• Tech Loaded For Bear.
• Ray Innovations Are What We Do
• Tech, Since 1845.
• High Wirelesses Are What We Do
• If You've Got The Time, We've Got The Tech.
• Sur Biomedicals Are What We Do
• Ray Tech, Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Medi Tech - A New You
• It's The Bright One, It's The Right One, That's Tech.
• Tech - Go For The Game.
• Medi And Heavy
• Teches With Wave
• Refreshes The Tech Other Beers Cannot Reach.
• From Low Pitched To Exalted
• Because Tech Can't Drive.
• Tech, Your Specialist.
• Tech For All Time.
• Teches With Cost
• Do You Have The Tech Inside?
• The Tech Look.
• Surgical Techies Are What We Do
• Don't Play With Fire, Play With Tech.
• Tech For Everyone.
• Seat Of The Technicians
• Tech For A Brighter Shine.
• Technical School Is What We Do
• There's A Bit Of Tech In All Of Us.
• Jesus Loves Tech.
• Be Consistent
• Tech To Play It Safe.
• For That Deep Down Body Tech.
• High Tech, Take A Seat
• Tech - To Feel Free!
• Sur Biotechnology, Sur Technologies
• Teches With Intervention
• Tech Reaching For The Stars.

The Consulting Business Model

When implementing a consulting business model, you have a number of approaches to choose from:

Here are a few of the most common consulting business models:

1. The Time-Based Model

This is one of the more traditional consulting business models - where your rate, terms, and scope of work are outlined at the very beginning of the project.

Typically, with this model you would choose a day rate or an hourly rate.

2. The Project-Based Model

With a project-based model, you and your client agree on the scope of work you will be performing for a set amount of money.

There is typically a contract in place which covers the deliverables and expectations from both parties.

3. The Retainer-Based Model

The retainer model involves providing ongoing service for your clients over a specific period of time.

You may not provide a specific deliverable for your client, but instead, a broad scope of work over a set period.

4. The Consulting-Firm Model

This model is becoming more and more popular. The consulting firm model involves hiring freelancers or employees to complete work for your clients on your behalf.

Typically, in this situation, you still manage the relationship with the client, but you delegate some or all of the work to your team.

Which model should you choose?

The best way to determine which business model you will choose is to research other entrepreneurs or agencies in your space that are offering the same or similar service.

This will allow you to identify your competition, set your pricing, and determine your target audience.

Learn more about starting a tech support business :

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a tech support business? -> Pros and cons of a tech support business

Need inspiration?

-> Other tech support business success stories -> Examples of established tech support business -> Marketing ideas for a tech support business -> Tech support business names

Other resources

-> Tech support business tips

🎬 How To Start A Tech Support Business

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Tech Support Business

If you are planning to start a tech support business, the costs are relatively low. This, of course, depends on if you decide to start the business with lean expenses or bringing in a large team and spending more money.

We’ve outlined two common scenarios for “pre-opening” costs of starting a tech support business and outline the costs you should expect for each:

• The estimated minimum starting cost = $62
• The estimated maximum starting cost = $40,061

Raising Money For Your Tech Support Business

Here are the most common ways to raise money for your tech support business:

Bootstrapping

You may not need funding for your tech support business.

In fact, many entrepreneurs take this approach when starting their own business, whether they have a little amount of cash or a substantial amount to get started.

So what exactly does the term "bootstrapping" mean?

This method essentially refers to self-funding your business without external help or capital and reinvesting your earnings back into the business**

Bootstrapping means building your company from the ground up with your own, or your loved ones, personal savings and reinvesting all earnings back into the business

Here are some tips to consider when bootstrapping your business :

• Use your savings as your capital - one of the best ways to bootstrap your business is to collect your savings and use them as startup capital. This will also help you avoid using your personal or business credit cards when getting started.
• Determine exactly how much capital you need and how much capital you have to get your business off the ground. Generally, when bootstrapping your business, you may want to consider starting a business that involves less startup capital.
• Consider starting a business that will generate immediate returns so you can put money back into the business
• Be as lean as possible - this refers to cutting down expenses as much as possible, such as payroll, fancy software tools, unnecessary travel, renting an office, etc
• Consider outsourcing instead of hiring - in the beginning, you may not need to hire someone permanently to help run your business. It tends to be much less expensive to outsource work to a freelancer and hire someone permanently down the road!

Want to learn more about bootstrapping your business? Check out this article

VC funding is a traditional and long process, but an effective way to raise money for your business.

The term "VC funding" refers to venture capital firms investing in businesses in exchange for equity.

The VC's (venture capitalists) are an individual or small group investing in your business and typically require substantial ownership of the business, with the hope of seeing a return on their investment.

VC's are typically the best approach for businesses with high startup costs - where it would be very difficult to raise the money on your own or through a loan.

When deciding whether to take this approach, it's important that you have a few things in place first, and know what you're getting yourself into:

Determine if your business is ready

Having an idea is not enough to get VC funding.

Typically, VC's will check to make sure you have these things in place prior to closing any deal:

• An MVP (Minimal Viable Product)
• A founding team with all proper documents in place (articles of organization, business formation)
• A validated idea with actual customers buying your product/service

Get everything in place and build a pitch deck

A VC individual or firm will be expecting a fine-tuned presentation that gives an overview of your business.

Here's what you should consider including in your pitch deck:

• Management team, their previous experience + current roles in the business
• Market challenge and solution
• Company financials - including a P&L statement, cash flow statement, and projections
• Company progress
• Investment amount - how much do you need and why?

Research the right VC to fund your business

Research the types of VC investors out there and what niche they focus on.

Then, put together a list of target VC's you want to approach and your strategy around setting up meetings.

Be sure you have everything in place (as discussed above) before setting up any meeting!

Make sure the terms and expectations are right for your business

Committing to VC funding is a big deal and a decision that should not be made lightly.

Although the money and experience from VC's can help your business quickly grow, you are also giving away a stake in the company, and the money comes with strings attached.

Be sure you do your due diligence in finding the right investor - one that truly believes in the growth and success of your business.

What Skills Do I Need To Succeed In Starting A Tech Support Business?

As a tech support business, there are several essential skills and characteristics that are important to identify prior to starting your business.

Let’s look at these skills in more detail so you can identify what you need to succeed in your day-to-day business operations:

Business Savvy Skills

When starting a tech support business, there are a few fundamental business skills you will want to learn in order to be successful:

• Leadership and training skills: A great team starts with YOU. Make sure you have all company policies and training procedures in place prior to hiring your team
• Decisive and self-confident: Over the course of your career, you will need decisions that could impact your business significantly. It's important you are able to think clearly and rationally about these decisions.
• Ability to understand the financials : You don't need to be an accountant, but it is important that you are able to clearly understand and define metrics such as expenses, revenue, profit, margins, COGS, etc.
• Strategic Thinking : Setting clear goals and benchmarks, identifying opportunities, risks. Ability to effectively communicate these insights to your team.

These are a few of many business savvy skills you should have (or work on) when starting a tech support business.

For a full list, check out this article here .

Customer Service Skills

Friendly communication with customers and the ability to address service issues is a critical part of the job.

Here are some customer service skills you may want to consider prior to starting a tech support business:

• Professionalism: The way you act, present yourself, and respond to situations all leave an impression on your customer. It's important to stay professional at all times when handling customer requests or issues.
• Problem-solving: When issues arise, it's important that you are able to think quick on your feet and address the situation with a calm and clear solution
• Friendly-manner: This is an obvious one, but customers truly appreciate someone that can respond in a quick, efficient, and friendly manner.
• Proficient in writing: These skills include the ability to write well-crafted emails, service tickets, and any other programs used by the business (ie. chat functions, SMS texting)

Advice For Starting A Tech Support Business

We've interviewed thousands of successful founders at Starter Story and asked what advice they would give to entrepreneurs who are just getting started.

Here's the best advice we discovered for starting a tech support business:

Ali Salah, founder of Instatus ($2K/month):

Start with a simple project. Build a muscle of shipping. Then work on bigger ones.

Read the full interview ➜

Daniele Besana, founder of WP OK ($10K/month):

It’s all about people. Don't focus on the number of subscribers, followers, opt-in, conversions… when you start is all about building relationships with people.

Write a Business Plan

Writing a business plan from the start is critical for the success of your tech support business.

Because this allows you to roadmap exactly what you do, what your overall structure will look like, and where you want to be in the future.

For many entrepreneurs, writing out the business plan helps validate their idea and decide whether or not they should move forward with starting the business.

You may want to consider expanding upon these sections in your business plan:

• Executive Summary : Brief outline of your product, the market, and growth opportunities
• Overviews and Objectives : Overview of your business, target customers, and what you need to run your business
• Products and Services : Specifics on the products and services your business will provide
• Market Opportunities : Analysis of customer demographics, buyer habits and if your product is in demand
• Marketing : Outline of your marketing plan and how you plan to differentiate yourself from other customers
• Competitive analysis : Analysis of your competition and the strengths and weaknesses therein
• Operations : Hierarchal structure of the company and what it will take to run the business on the day-to-day
• Leadership Team : Detailing roles and responsibilities of each manager based on their specific skill-set
• Financial Analysis Understanding of all expenses, operating budgets, and projections for the future.

Learn more about how to write a business plan here

Determine Which Business Bank Account You Need

There are hundreds of banks out there, and it can be overwhelming to find one that's right for your business.

Here are some factors you may want to consider:

• Location - Is your bank close enough that you can easily make deposits or get cash?
• Low Fees - Make sure to understand any and all fees associated with setting up and maintaining your bank account. Ask for a list - banks usually try to keep this hidden and in the fine print.
• Online Banking Services - Make sure you can easily navigate through your online portal and you have easy access to everything you need.
• Line of Credit - What do your options look like (even if you don't need this now, you may need this down the road).
• Every bank has something that differentiates them from the rest, so make sure whatever that is applied to your needs and values.

Check out this list of the 13 Best Banks for Small Business in 2020 and what makes them so unique.

Setting Up Your Tech Support Business (Formation and Legal)

When it comes to setting up your business, you may find yourself in a place where you have to make some financial and legal decisions.

The first thing you'll want to decide on is whether you want to be an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp.

These three options are found to be the most common when starting a small business, and all serve to protect your personal assets and also provide you with certain tax benefits.

• LLC : All income and expenses from the business are reported on the LLC personal income tax return.
• S corp : Owners pay themselves salaries + receive dividends from profits.
• C Corp : C Corps are separately taxable entities that file a corporate tax return (Form 1120). No income tax is paid at the corporate level and any tax due is paid at the owners individual expense.

Depending on where you're conducting business, you'll also want to consider securing the proper permits, licenses and liability insurance.

Learn more about securing the right permits and licenses ➜

Need to start an LLC? Create an LLC in minutes with ZenBusiness .

How Do I Pay Myself As A Small Business Owner?

Most entrepreneurs start a business to do something they love- but at the end of the day, you still have bills to pay (maybe now more than ever).

But it's important to strike the right balance - if you pay yourself too much, you could be putting your business at risk.

There are two common ways to pay yourself as a business owner:

1. Owner's Draw

Many entrepreneurs pay themselves through an owner's draw. This means that you are technically sean as "self-employed" through the eyes of the IRS and are not paid through regular wages.

At the point that you collect money from the draw, taxes typically are not taken out - so make sure you are prepared to pay these taxes once you file your individual return.

As an owner who takes a draw, you can legally take out as much as you want from your equity.

This type of compensation is suited for Sole props, LLCs, and partnerships. If you’re an S corp, you can pay yourself through both a salary and draw if you choose.

If you decide to pay yourself a salary, you will receive a set and recurring amount. This will be taxed by the federal government and the state you reside in.

The reality is that it can be really complicated to set your own salary, so we have some tips for you to consider:

• Take out a reasonable amount that allows you to live comfortably but also sets your business up for success
• Consider the number of hours you are working weekly + the type of duties you are performing.
• Set your salary based on your industry-standard, location, and profits (or projected profits)
• Look at your P&L statement : Deduct your own pay from that amount. This is important so you can first tackle important business expenses, and then pay yourself from the amount leftover.
• Pick a payroll schedule (and stick to it)! In the US, it's most common to pay yourself and employees twice a month.

To learn more about how to pay yourself and what is a reasonable amount, check out this article .

How To Price Your Tech Support

One of the most challenging aspects to starting a tech support business is determining how much to charge for your tech support.

When businesses under-price their product, this can be extremely detrimental to their bottom line and reputation.

Often times, businesses under-price their products to drive demand and volume, but that last thing you want is for customers to view your product/service as "cheap." Additionally, this can have a big impact on the type of customer you attract, which can be difficult to recover from.

On the other hand, when businesses over-price , this tends to be just as damaging to the business.

When customers buy, it's likely that they will explore the internet and look at other competitors to ensure they're getting the best value + deal. This is why it's so important that you research your competition and understand where you land in the marketplace.

Here are some factors to consider when pricing your product:

Understand your customer

It's important that out of the gates, you identify the type of customer you want to attract and how much they're willing to pay for your service. One great way to do this is by surveying your customers. Here are some important items you'll want to takeaway:

• Customer demographic: Age, gender, location, etc.
• Buying habits of your customer: What they buy + when they buy
• Level of price sensitivity with your customer

All of these segments will help you identify the type of customer you're attracting and how to price your product accordingly.

Understand your costs

When pricing your tech support, it's critical that you first identify all of your costs and consequently mark up your tech support so you can factor in a profit.

The actual cost of your tech support may include things like:

• The actual cost to make the product (ie. raw materials, supplies, manufacturer).
• Shipping + overhead fees
• Operating costs to run your business

You may want to consider creating a spreadsheet with every single expense involved in operating/owning your business. This will give you an idea as to what you need to generate in order to at the very least, break-even and will help you price your products to factor in a profit.

Create revenue goals

When determining the price of your tech support, you'll want to create goals for revenue + how much profit you want your tech support business to make.

This process is simpler than you may think:

• Think about your breakeven cost (by completing the above step).
• Create a revenue goal based on your break-even cost
• Evaluate the # of items you plan to sell in a given period (make sure this is a realistic number)
• Divide your revenue goal by the number of items you plan to sell

This figure will help determine your estimated price per product in order to meet your revenue goals.

Evaluate your competition

The last piece in determining how to price your tech support is by simply looking at your competition.

The best way to do this is by finding like-minded businesses that offer product(s) with similar perceived value. Then, you can compare prices of the different businesses and determine where your tech support fits best in the marketplace.

All of these factors play an equal part in pricing your tech support, so it's important you evaluate each one individually to come up with an accurate price that will help optimize your business from the start.

Rate Calculator: How to Calculate The Price For Your Tech Support Services

Our calculator is designed to be simple and easy to use.

The goal is to help you set realistic expectations and understand the hourly rate you should be charging to make your desired profit.

Please input below:

What Type Of Clients Will Buy Your Tech Support

It's important to first establish who you will be selling to, whether it's to businesses or consumers.

Typically, in this industry, products are sold to B2B markets (business-to-business).

Let's take a look at what this means for your tech support business:

B2B (or business to business) is a transaction where your tech support business sell's your product or service to other businesses to help them grow.

Business-to business industries typically includes SaaS products, B2B marketing firms, and other business supply companies.

Unlike B2C markets, the audience is not a consumer at all, but instead a business - so it's important to understand how to best market your product/services to that target audience.

With B2B, driving leads means understanding another company's business processes and creating a business strategy that will help their operation scale and grow.

Here are some tips to consider:

• Your main focus when selling to other businesses is showing value to their business and overall return on investment
• Focus on building relationships , rather than extending your brand awareness through social networks.
• Marketing approach should include things like attending conventions , conferences, and optimizing your online presence (SEO, email outreach, etc)
• Understand that the sales process may mean more effort educating your client, so it's important that you have a well-trained sales team that is knowledgable about the product

Identify Target Customer

A very critical piece in building tech support business is to identify your ideal target customer.

• Develop a niche and create a consistent brand that reflects your target customer.
• The colors, logo, content, and overall website should resonate with your target customer and should draw them in by helping them solve their specific "need".

Building an MVP (Minimal Viable Product)

When building a tech support business, it's critical that you first validate your product/service rather than rushing to build it right away.

This could save you months, if not years of building the wrong product/service.

If you're hoping to decrease any sort of risk that comes with launching your tech support business, designing a prototype can be a great way to de-risk your situation.

The point of your tech support prototype is that it doesn't have to be perfect.

In the beginning stages, it doesn't matter how rough V1 of your prototype is, it's more important to just get started and you can always refine from there based on feedback from your network and most importantly your customers.

How To Build A MVP

Here are several different ways of building a prototype/MVP:

• Start by building a landing page to see if customers actually need your product and if they are willing to pay for it
• Build a very basic version of your idea and ask for immediate feedback from potential customers
• Present a problem and solution via Facebook/Instagram Ads and see what the response is like

Geet, founder of LinkHelp dives deep into the process of designing and prototyping their product:

Since the start, we aimed to make the product design simple and clean. We never wanted to overwhelm our users with complicated designs.

So during the initial months, we spent energy on designing and building an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) that elicits valuable feedback with little effort. The early user interface was very basic and minimalistic with features such as - "Add targeted connections" and "Message targeted users".

Our customers loved the simplicity and the usage of our product and recommended including more features. We later expanded our offerings and included 17 more features such as - "Audience Creation", "Wish birthdays", "Endorse Connections", etc.

Also, during the design process, we parallelly started creating an MVB ( Minimum Viable Brand). We reflected deeply on our vision, our values, our ideal customers, customer pain points, our communication tone/messaging, theme, brand personality, etc., This exercise helped us position our product in a meaningful way to specifically target our potential customers.

The initial features were pretty basic such as add connections, message connections, follow connections, like the post, etc.

The reasons for choosing them were pretty straightforward. We want to tap into the most necessary features right from the start. These features can simultaneously be used for objectives like lead generation, networking, recruitment, relationship building, etc.

Our product has evolved significantly since then, users can now download all their connection information, they can target people more precisely based on specific filtering criteria, they can auto-respond to messages, they can auto congratulate people on their work anniversary, new job or even auto wish on birthdays. There are many other important features we have added along the line.

🚀 How To Launch Your Tech Support Business

Build A Website

Building a website is imperative when launching your business, and with the right tools in place, this can be a simple task to check off the list (without having to hire someone).

• Pick a domain name that's easy to remember and easy to type
• Choose a Web Hosting Plan (ie. Shopify, Squarespace)
• Make sure you choose the right theme and design
• Implement the proper page structure (ie. about page, contact page, pricing etc)

To learn more about how to build a stellar website with little stress, we give you all the details on this step-by-step guide .

Best Website Platforms To Use For Your Tech Support Business:

There are a variety of websites platforms out there, and it's important to choose the right one that will set you up for success.

Here's everything you need to know about the two most common platforms for your tech support business:

Free and open-source content management system based on PHP and MySQL.

Free to use/open source but you will need to pay for the hosting.

Pricing: Freemium

• Twitter: @WordPress
• Website: https://wordpress.com/

Businesses using WordPress:

842 successful businesses are using WordPress ➜

Get WordPress ➜

Squarespace

The all-in-one solution for anyone looking to create a beautiful website.

• Personal Plan: $12/month
• Business Plan: $18/month
• Basic: $26/month

Advanced: $40/month

Twitter: @squarespace

Website: squarespace.com

Businesses using Squarespace:

133 successful businesses are using Squarespace ➜

Get Squarespace ➜

Once you have chosen the domain, web hosting, and platform, it's time to get started with the design phase.

Themes are a great way to produce the fundamental style and identity of your website - this includes everything from your font design to your blog post styles.

One of the best ways to get started is to simply explore the various themes (free or paid depending on what you're looking for) and test them on your site.

If web-design really isn't in the cards for you, you may want to consider outsourcing a web designer to help bring your vision and brand to life.

Traditional Launch Strategies For Your Tech Support Business:

There are various different ways you can launch your tech support business successfully.

Here are a few different strategies to get customers excited about your tech support business:

• Set up a Facebook page for your business. This is a great way to establish an online presence
• Host an event in a fun location with drinks & food. This is a great way to get exposure in the local community.
• Get Press! Pitch your story to the media and you may just land in an amazing publication
• Live sales to get customers excited
• Send a hand-written letter in the mail with a discount on your services to the local community/neighborhoods.

LaKenya Kopf, founder of Kopf Consulting dives deep into the process of launching the business:

In 2017, I decided I wanted to rebrand my business and designed to launch Kopf Consulting as a full-time support company. I also wanted to "practice what I supported" by creating a better online presence through search engines and social media.

Taking the skills I had learned over the years, I built my first stand-alone website using WordPress (Hostgator was the hosting service), I created social media accounts on all the established platforms at that time (including Google Plus), I applied for my first business credit card and changed my business checking account to my new business name.

My goal was to keep overhead costs low, again—this is what I wanted to teach to other businesses as well—how to establish a business without breaking the bank. I had a modest marketing budget using Google Ads, adding my business to online business directories, regularly posting on social media, and continued to find work using sites such as Freelancer, Guru, Hire My Mom, and Elance.

After the renaming and launching of Kopf Consulting, it took eight months before I grew from a part-time side hustle into a full-time business. Through those eight months, I very quickly learned to fine-tune my business presentation, what signs/flags to listen for when interviewing potential clients, and what questions to ask to ensure the fit is mutual for both sides (as well as establishing boundaries from the beginning).

I also learned the value of bartering and volunteering as well as the limitations. The biggest lesson of all was the importance of SEO. Having switched names and branding without making a direct tie between DEK Consulting and Kopf Consulting cost me all the SEO and notoriety I had built over the past four years. I was essentially starting from scratch.

🌱 How To Grow Your Tech Support Business

Grow Your Email List

The more engaged list of emails, the more engaged customers, which ultimately leads to more sales.

One of the best ways to start growing your list is by providing your customer with something free (or discounted) in return.

This could also be anything from:

• Fascinating case study
• Video series
• Free week of the product
• Discount on the product

Learn more about how to grow your email list and improve email marketing ➜ here .

Dylan Jacob, founder of Brumate states their email collection tactic that is proven to work:

We use Spin-a-Sale for this (you spin a wheel for a discount code in exchange for subscribing to our email list). This has been the best email-collecting tool we have found because the customer truly feels like they won a prize rather than just a coupon code.

Even if a customer doesn’t convert right away, if we have their email we have a 19% chance of converting them into a future customer whether that is through future promotions, new releases, or simply just sending an email at the right time for a purchase to finally make sense for them.

We also have a return customer rate of over 14%, so one out of every 6 people we convert will end up buying from us again with an average order value of over $60.00.

Add an exit-intent popup to your online store

A great way to double, or even triple, your email opt-in rate and to grow your list is to add an exit-intent popup to your site, and offering a discount or content upgrade for subscribers.

Here's an example of what that might look like:

One thing that I spent years NOT doing, that I now kick myself about, is adding an "exit intent pop-up" to our site, which lets people enter a sweepstakes to win a Xero Shoes gift certificate.

That one idea has added over 100,000 subscribers to our email list, which is one of our most effective marketing channels.

Improve Your Email Marketing

Different types of emails

Here are the most common types of email campaigns you can send to your customers and their benefits:

• Welcome emails - the perfect way to provide information from the start with a clear CTA. Make sure to tell your customer everything they need to know about your product or service.
• Newsletters - a great way to give customers updates or send out your latest content
• Product launch emails - the quickest (and easiest) way to increase sales is by selling to current customers. Make sure they're the first on the list to know about your new product
• Promotional emails - promote discounts, deals coupons etc. Try and make this feel exclusive and for a limited time only
• Abandoned cart emails - give your customers a reason to complete their purchase!

Here's a great resource for finding curated email designs, for all types of email campaigns!

Abandonded Cart Flow

The abandoned cart workflow is one of the most effective strategies for turning your lead into a customer, and a powerful tool to have if you're an e-commerce business.

Think about all the times that you went on a shopping frenzy only to add items to your cart and then either forget or realize nows not the right time to pull the trigger.

Then, minutes later you receive an email saying "Hurry up! Your cart is waiting - and we want to provide you with 20% off your order."

Maybe that's the special touch (and discount) you needed to pull that trigger.

Implementing this workflow can automatically trigger this for your business every time a customer abandons their cart.

Here's a great example of an abandoned cart email from Brooklinen :

Things they do well:

• Showcase 5-star reviews from other customers
• Offer a small discount + free shipping
• Great design + clear call to actions!

Improve your SEO

SEO is not just about driving traffic to your site, it's about driving the RIGHT traffic to your site , and ultimately, converting leads into customers.

One of the most important aspects of SEO is understanding what your customers are searching for, otherwise known as "keyword research."

Here are some tools that can help you choose the right keywords for your tech support business.

• Google Ads Keyword Planner invaluable for discovering search trends.
• Google Search Console is very helpful once your website is up as it shows you what words/phrases are generating traffic.
• Ahrefs and SEMRush are paid tools that allow you to look at results of your competitor's website.

Publish Great Content

Finding keywords is an important piece of the puzzle, but Google also ranks your site based on the actual content you produce, as this is what your customers are reading and engaging with.

There are various different "forms" of content that you may want to consider diversifying on your sites, such as blog posts, articles, studies, and videos.

So let's discuss what google considers "good content:"

• Length - This will vary depending on the page, however, generally having a sufficient amount of content helps search engines recognize that your site is a good source for a specific topic
• Engagement - The longer people stay on your website to read your content, the higher Google will rank your website. It's important to have informative and "thick" content that keeps people reading
• Avoid Duplicating Content - Google will recognize this and may consider your content to have low value
• Ensure pages load quickly - This will also help with engagement and time spent on your website
• Shareability - Create content that people want to share, and is easy for them to share, especially to their social media accounts (ie. "click to tweet" is a great example of this).

Another element of creating good content is creating consistent content.

If (and hopefully you are) publishing content frequently, it's important to stick to a schedule - this helps build brand trust and easy user experience with your customers.

Planning out your content with a content calendar is key to staying consistent.

Here are a few great content calendar tools that can help you:

• If you prefer to keep it simple, your average spreadsheet is just as useful!

Backlinks are an important piece to SEO, as they allow for other websites to link to your content.

Search engines recognize that other sites are essentially "verifying" your content and essentially rank you higher because of this.

Of course, some links are more valuable than others and can affect your site in different ways.

For example, if a highly valuable and credible site like the New York Times links to a page on your website, this could be remarkable from an SEO perspective.

Aside from organically getting mentioned from other sites, there are other ways that you can increase and earn backlinks:

• Create infographics with relevant data that people want to share
• Promote your content on different sites/look into "guest blogging"
• Contact influencers/journalists/bloggers and ask them to mention you!
• Write testimonials for other sites in exchange for a backlink
• Leverage existing business relationships

Learn more about the fundamentals of SEO ➜ here and check out Neil Patel's 3 Powerful SEO Tips below

Build A Blog

One of the most effective ways to build brand awareness and grow your business is through consistently blogging.

We've outlined some useful tips for you to consider when creating content:

Consistency and Quantity

Quality is important, but it should be the standard for any content you publish.

What’s more important is consistency and quantity.

Consistency is as simple as committing to publishing and sharing a certain number of posts per week. For me, that’s three per week right now.

This kind of commitment is key, because one day, a random post will blow up, and you will have never expected it.

Oversaturation

The easiest mind trap is to think "I’m posting too much", and “I need to give my readers/audience/this platform a break”.

This is nonsense.

There is no such thing as oversaturation. Well, there is, but it is just someone else’s opinion.

For every person that tells you you are posting too much, there is another person that wants even more of your content.

You should ignore people’s opinions on how much you post.

Patience & Persistence

Keep posting, keep trying, and keep putting out good content on the regular. Your time will come, and when it does, it will change everything.

The only thing you have control over is your content.

You can’t control how people will react to it. You can’t control pageviews, likes, or shares.

So the only metric you should focus on is how much content you can put out in a week, month, etc.

Where to share your blog content

Mailing List

I know it sounds obvious, but the best places to share your content is on your mailing list. It is guaranteed traffic and it is a great way to get rapid feedback from your most loyal readers.

Send newsletters often. I have done once a week since starting, and I’m moving to twice a week soon.

Work on increasing your mailing list as well. Look into ways to increase your conversion rate to your mailing list. I added a flyout popup thing to my site and now I’m collecting ~30 emails per day.

An email newsletter is one of the most powerful assets you can have and it is worth its weight in gold.

Reddit is one of my favorite places to promote content.

It is a very scary place because you will often get banned or heckled, but it can really pay off.

Create social media accounts for your blog, the main ones I use:

Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Set up Buffer and share all of your blog posts to all of your accounts. All of these little shares really do add up.

Automate this as much as possible. I automated all of my social media for Starter Story.

Facebook Groups

When I started out, I put together a spreadsheet of relevant Facebook groups for my niche, and I would post to these groups whenever I had a big story I wanted to share.

Experiment With Pay Per Click Ads (PPC)

Pay-per-click (PPC) is a performance-based marketing method that allows you to show specific ads for services or products oriented to a very defined target, with the goal that the user visits your website or landing page.

• Consider connecting the ad to your corresponding landing page so that the audience receives the necessary information after clicking on the ad.
• Conversion Tracking: When running PPC campaigns, be sure to run the ads with conversion tracking.
• Focus on quality keywords, even if there are few as this will save you time and money. When assessing the performance of a keyword, it's important to track the expense, conversion, and cost per conversion, as well as the ROI.

PPC advertising can be a very important lead generator as long as it's done properly. Your PPC campaign is intended to drive traffic to your website and help the business scale.

Additionally, if the campaign is not having the desired results, you can make the necessary changes immediately to improve them.

Ryan Schortmann, founder of Display Pros talks about their investment in PPC Ads:

My name is Ryan Schortmann and I’m the founder of Display Pros. We are a custom trade show display booth company offering easy to use portable display “kits” for small and medium businesses wanting to get into the trade show game.

It did not take long to come to the realization that to compete at any reasonable level, we were going to need to take the plunge and invest in Pay Per Click ads and display.

From experience, I know that it is important to give Google’s hivemind some time to settle in before each campaign starts seeing consistent results (this is largely dependent on budget).

A certain amount of PPC budget must be viewed as a “marketing research” expense and then you can look at the analytics data and make informed decisions on where to refine, tweak or plain scrap an idea.

Google Shopping was an entirely new concept for me. You can’t assign keywords to products so at first, I was asking myself “How the hell do you refine these?”. Then I found some good reading material and courses and learned of some advanced methods that the pros are using. It turns out you can utilize negative keyword lists combined with the priority setting on each shopping campaign to “shape” the keywords that are coming in and how much you are spending on them.

To learn more about PPC Ads and Google Shopping, check out this video to learn everything you need to know!

Social Media Advertising

Social Media Advertising is one of the leading ways to get the word out when it comes to tech support business.

There are various different Social Media platforms available to you. Some may be more critical for your marketing efforts than others, however, it's important to have an understanding of what's out there and available to you.

Let's talk about a few of the main platforms and what makes them unique:

• Facebook Advertising - more than 2 billion monthly users. Facebook is the best for lead generation + capturing email addresses for e-commerce businesses.
• Instagram Advertising - approximately 500 million monthly users and has a higher audience engagement rate than any other platform. Instagram ads are best for linking to a product page or landing page and reaches the 18-29 age group most effectively.
• Twitter Advertising - Small businesses typically use twitter ads to drive brand awareness, but the platform is meant more for organic engagement (and is not as heavily used for paid advertising)
• Pinterest Advertising - 175 million monthly users and most effectively reaches the female audience. Pinterest is great for promoting products without "promoted". The promoted pins have a way of blending right in.
• LinkedIn Advertising - 227 million monthly users and is geared towards the B2B market and generates the highest quality leads. Great platform for recruiters, high-end products and services that will help businesses

It's important to first define your goal/objective so that you don't waste time and money into the wrong platform:

Here are some different questions to ask yourself as it relates to your goals:

• Do I want to simply drive brand awareness?
• Do I want to drive users to my website to gather information?
• Do I want to increase sales and get my customer to take action?

From there, choose the platform that targets your audience best and start experimenting!

Learn more about social media advertising ➜ here .

Founder Andy Hayes talks about mastering FB ads and the pixel:

The biggest bang for your buck will likely be mastering Facebook and it’s platform - which we all know is pay for play, so you’ll have to come up with a small amount of budget to start for marketing.

We’ve spent countless hours (and paid numerous coaches) before we cracked the code that works for us on Facebook, but it is working really well for us now.

Some of the most important things to know when it comes to FB Ads:

• Start with retargeting (that’s showing ads to people who already know you but did not purchase). Master this - and start building information on your Facebook Pixel - before you do anything else
• Once you have that down, try working with the 1% “Lookalike” audience to prospect for new customers. This may take awhile because your pixel audience is small, so try layering on interests - 1% Lookalike and your largest competitor, for example. Don’t use interest-only targeting until you master this.
• Great photography and videography is key, as is smart copy. Research what’s out there in your industry and constantly test - what works for one company may not work for other people.
• Make sure you have good offers. For example, we have a $5 trial for our subscription, which converts affordably - if we promoted our subscription with the standard $30 front charge, it wouldn’t be as cost-effective.

🏃🏼‍♀️ How To Run Your Tech Support Business

How To Retain Customers For Your Tech Support Business

Retaining customers is one of the most effective ways to grow your tech support business.

Oftentimes, it's easy to find yourself focusing on generating new customers, vs retaining your current ones.

Look at it this way - you are 60-70% more likely to sell a new product to an existing customer than you are a new customer.

That's not to say that finding new customers and revenue streams is not important, however, the easiest (and most inexpensive) source of new revenue is right there in front of you.

Here are some ways you can retain customers for your tech support business:

• Responding to comments on social media
• Send discounts (or freebies) to loyal customers
• Provide valuable content, for free
• Write a hand written thank you note
• Provide awesome customer service and build relationships with customers

To find out more tips and tricks on retaining customers, check out this article ➜ here

Daniele Besana, founder of WP OK dives deep into the process of attracting and retaining customers:

The next challenge was to reach more companies in need of our services.

What worked for me:

After the first interview, a few others follow and I found myself being somewhat known among Italian online business owners.

Appearing in a podcast is good, but appearing in multiple podcasts is great because the listeners get more and more familiar with you.

Everyone complains that search result sponsored ads are expensive, but they are also extremely effective when you reach potential customers searching exactly what you offer.

It took months to get the campaign profitable, especially because in the WordPress arena a lot of searches are from people looking for free solutions.

My advice for you:

• Hire a Google Ads specialist: an expert can save you money and also making sure things are done right - G-Ads is quite a complex tool!
• Plan a 6-months investment: this is how long it took me to get the campaign tuned.

YouTube channel :

I started making videos talking about WordPress for business. Luckily I'm not a perfectionist so I really gave priority to content over video quality.

My suggestion here is, once again, just do it .

It will be uncomfortable at first, but there's no other way. Get your content out there. You'll reach people.

Videos, like podcasts, create a better connection than articles or in general written content.

Messenger chatbot

I jumped on this technology quite early, and this gave me an advantage.

I built a funny chatbot that gives advice on WordPress as well as tells jokes, and I called it Wok.

It was, so to say, well-received and it's still the most effective way to reach people with quick and direct short messages.

You can find Wok at this page… just remember that it speaks Italian!

My advice for anyone using Messenger chatbots: you're competing for attention with friends, partners, and relatives.

Don't aim to create perfect copy to market your service/product.

Aim to create emotions and build empathy!

What I didn’t do

I can also tell you what I didn't do: I never invested time on Facebook page or groups.

And I'm glad I didn't, because I don't believe Facebook pages are useful for small businesses like mine.

I also stayed clear from Facebook groups talking about WordPress… they are full of frustrated freelance developers trolling each other, and a few non-customers looking for free advice.

I'm currently pushing on the SEO, mainly using content marketing. I wish I started earlier creating written content, but I didn't have a strategy.

Our original plan was to write WordPress how-tos to prove our knowledge, but this is a competitive area and we realized that this is not what our potential customers are looking for.

So we steer into talking about maintenance, security, support, with case studies and real examples from our experience.

I hired an SEO guy a few months back and together we did three things:

• An initial SEO audit to fix any technical SEO on the website;
• Keyword analysis to identify the topics to focus on;
• Writing 10 high-quality pieces of content, and expanding them in time.

Here the article that took us on first page for keywords related to WordPress support.

Diversify Your Product Line

Adding new products to your business is a great way to expand into new markets and grow your business.

It's important to note that adding new products and diversifying may not be in the cards for you right this moment, and that's okay. You can always consider it down the road.

Here are some reasons you may want to considering adding/diversifying your product

• Meeting the needs of your customers
• Establish yourself as a top provider in your industry and stay ahead of the game with competition
• Resistance to downturns/trends fading
• Create new revenue streams

How To Crush The Sales Process For Your Tech Support Business

You may find yourself in a spot where you're ready to hire a few (or many) salespeople to support the sales conversion process.

Regardless if you have one or thirty salespeople, it's critical that you assign them specific roles and responsibilities to nurture the client and provide excellent support.

Mike Korba, co-founder of User.Com walks us through the entire sales process and which teams are responsible for what:

User.com Sales Process

Each user and account is qualified with a specialist. For business leads, they are handled by the sales team, and if they are qualified we give them a demo, more than often at the end of their fourteen-day trial. If they’re happy they’ll add a payment, and get an account manager, so a customer support and success team who will help implement the solution and to use the technology.

Sometimes, users will convert naturally on their own, after using the freemium product and finding it to be something that they will find beneficial.

After they convert, we help with onboarding , give them some personalized tips for their specific business or industry to grow plus all kinds of support, for whatever they need - something we take huge pride in.

The team is right now more than 30 people, with more than half working on the IT and product side, and the rest are in three teams: Support, Marketing, and Sales who all work together very closely.

Word of Mouth

The most tried and true way to grow a tech support business is through word of mouth - some entrepreneurs would say it's more important than all social media.

Why you should focus on word of mouth:

• Consumers trust word of mouth above all other forms of marketing
• 92% of consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over all forms of advertising
• 64% of marketing executives indicated that they believe it is the most effective form of marketing

Learn more about word of mouth in our guide: 30 Ways Founders Grow Their Business ➜

Outsourcing

If you can afford to hire someone to help support your tech support business, outsourcing is a great way to save you time and energy.

Most importantly, outsourcing can help you focus on the core growth of your business, versus spending your time on day to day tasks that other people can do just as well!

If you do plan to outsource your work, it's important to be hyper-familiar with the actual work involved.

Why is it important to be hyper-familiar with the work?

• So you can understand how long it takes
• So you understand the full process, edge cases, things that can go wrong.
• So you can explain it in detail to your employee.
• So you can make sure it actually works (for example - how do you know cold email works for your business if you’re not on the ground floor trying it out?)
• Understanding the tasks at a deep level will save you a lot of time and money.

Build a Referral Program

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get the word out about your business and acquire new customers. Especially when you are starting out, it’s important to build a solid referral program to encourage existing customers to help you find new ones.

A great way to do that is by offering a reward (ie. credit on your service or cash) to customers that refer you to their friends and family.

A fantastic referral program will help with clout, credibility, and establishing yourself in the space.

Provide Great Customer Service

Providing exceptional care and creating relationships with clients is a great way to build your reputation and retain customers.

Whether you are an online business or a physical business, it's highly important to communicate with customers and make them feel like they are the priority.

Just remember: customer service represents your brand, values, vision and YOU as a person.

We put together the best resources on the internet to help you start your tech support business.

• Platform tools such as Shopify , WooCommerce , Amazon , Wix.com , Weebly , React , Amazon Web Services , Node.js , Canva , Vercel or Figma
• Email tools such as MailChimp , Mailerlite , ConvertKit , ActiveCampaign , Constant Contact , Revue , Planoly , G Suite , Mailgun or Sendy
• Social media tools such as Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube , Pinterest , Hootsuite , Reddit , Tiktok , Vimeo , SocialBee or Later.com
• Advertising tools such as Facebook Ads , Instagram Ads or Google Adwords
• Design tools such as Canva , Gimp , Figma or Crello
• Analytics tools such as Google Analytics , Sumo or Google Forms
• Productivity tools such as Google Suite , Dropbox , Slack , Asana , Trello , Evernote , Basecamp , Monday.com , Calendly , Toggl , Integromat , Podio , ClickUp or Discord
• Payments tools such as Paypal , Stripe , Braintree , Book Like A Boss , Paddle , Payoneer or HoneyBook
• Customer service tools such as Zendesk
• Blog tools such as WordPress or Squarespace
• Crm tools such as Hubspot , Streak , Keap , 17hats or Ontraport
• Freelance tools such as Fiverr , Upwork , freelance.com or FreeeUp
• Affiliate tools such as ShareASale , Commission Junction , PartnerStack or Tapfiliate.com
• Stock images tools such as 123rf , Unsplash , Pixabay , depositphotos , Pexels , Freepix or Yay Images
• Sales tools such as Infusionsoft or ClickFunnels
• Education tools such as Teachable
• App tools such as Gravity Forms or Pixel Cat
• Reviews tools such as Google My Business or Capterra
• Seo tools such as Yoast , Moz or Alexa
• Podcast tools such as SoundCloud , Libsyn , Anchor , Spotify , Stitcher or Overcast
• Software deals tools such as AppSumo or Secret
• Web hosting tools such as LiquidWeb
• Fulfillment tools such as Payhip
• Crowdfunding tools such as Patreon
• How to Work From Home - A QuickStart Guide: From Tech-Challenged to Tech-Pro in 1 Week

How to Start and Run an IT Consultancy Business: Become a Consultant, IT Entrepreneur or Start an Information Technology Consulting Firm: Srikanth Merianda

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: Fully Revised and Updated for 2018

Web Resources

• Starting An It Support Business: All You Need To Know
• How To Start A Small Tech Support Business Online - Review
• Video 17 : How To Run Tech Support Genuinely

Case Studies

• How I Turned My WordPress Freelance Gigs Into A Productized Service
• I Quit My 9-5 Job And Built A Profitable SaaS Tool
• How I Created A Six-Figure Virtual Tech Support Company
• I Built A LinkedIn Lead Generator Tool And Make $48K/Year [Singapore]
• I Built A $200/Month Side Hustle Maintaining WordPress Sites
• 1,000+ Trendy Tech Support Business Names 1 of 7
• 3 Tips For Starting A Successful Tech Support Business (2024) 2 of 7
• 43 Trending Tech Support Businesses [2024] 3 of 7
• 52 Marketing Ideas For A Tech Support Business (2024) 4 of 7
• 8 Tech Support Business Success Stories [2024] 5 of 7
• How Much Does It Cost To Start A Tech Support Business? (In 2024) 6 of 7
• 26 Pros & Cons Of Starting A Tech Support Business (2024) 7 of 7

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5 Steps to Building a Technical Support Team

July 29, 2022

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Customer support has become a staple for any business that wishes to grow and build a reliable customer base. When building a technical support team from scratch, it’s important to follow a precise plan. Otherwise, you’ll end up backtracking and troubleshooting easily avoidable mistakes. It can become ironic because you won’t have a support team to fall back on when things go wrong. 

This article will cover what makes a great customer support team, how to build a team from the ground up, and what you need to make it happen. We’ll also cover how to determine whether you need a support team in the first place.

So let’s get started.

Signs you need a customer support team

A customer support team is a link that connects your marketing promises to the end users. This is a crucial task that needs the utmost care and expertise. That being said, not all support teams are created equal. 

The reason to say this is that in some industries, the whole sales (mainly Gross and or, Net sales ) and revenue process depends on the effectiveness of their support teams. For instance, IT service providers and technical product manufacturers rely heavily on their support teams to smoothen out customer onboarding and pre/post-sales queries. Due to being highly technical, these industries must invest in customer support to ensure no customer need is unattended.

On the other hand, products and services that rely less on IT or other technologies can go easy on customer support spending. That doesn’t mean they can do without a support team completely. In this day and age, that is nearly impossible.

As a general rule of thumb, here are some signs that tell you when it’s time to build a dedicated support team.

Stagnant customer base

When your customer base is not on its usual growth trend, it usually indicates some or other shortcomings of your business. Even if your product or service is perfect for the market, you can still face this problem. Similarly, a decline in product or service quality can also cause this. 

A dedicated customer support team can solve this issue by making your offerings more accessible. The team also boosts the reliability of your business, even if the product itself isn’t up to the mark.

A small number of repeat customers

As the 80-20 rule suggests, 80% of your revenue comes from 20% of your user base. However, if your returning user base is small or is in decline, it indicates you are not caring for your existing customers. A customer support team can significantly impact this.

First off, a support team makes it easier for customers to reach out with problems. Solving these problems makes customers feel valued, which is the prime factor in maintaining repeat sales and acquiring new customers .

Ignored customer queries

Customers can face myriad difficulties while using your product or service. It’s obvious that they will seek out help if and when these difficulties arise. If you cannot keep track of and solve these issues as they are submitted, it’s time to invest in a dedicated support team. 

For example, if your product incurs pre-sales questions or the onboarding process is complex, you’re bound to receive a lot of queries. For a small business, this might not be a big hassle. But as your business grows, eventually, you will need to scale your support efforts, and that is where a dedicated customer support team is most needed.

Know what your customers need before they do!

What makes a great support team?

Now, if you’re facing some or all of these issues, you will likely need a dedicated customer support team for your business. But what makes up for a great support team?

Well, there are some general factors that need to be present for a customer support team to be effective. They are as follows,

Collaboration

The effectiveness of your support team largely depends on the collaborative abilities of your support agents. The easier it is for your agents to collaborate, the smoother your team will function. Customer support is a team game and being able to collaborate within the team is an essential trait for support agents.

Communication

Customer support is, for the most part, communication. Your support team must understand and communicate with customers with varying issues that will come in each day. The communication skills of your support team can go a long way to set you up for success.

Conversely, poor communication will have a severe negative effect on your customer retention and satisfaction metrics.

Scalability

Your team needs to be versatile enough to handle increased customer queries. This is considered scalability. As a business grows, so do the customer base and related queries. To match the demand, your support team needs to be able to adapt to the increasing number of requests. 

However, this is only possible to a certain extent. You’ll have to expand the support team or allocate more resources at one point or another. To keep the process reliable, it’s a good idea to keep expansion plans ready as soon as necessary.

Fair contribution

Lastly, an effective support team is built with fair and equal contributions from all its members. That is to say, each and every support agent must give their best to ensure the highest quality experience . Teams that work on mutually respectful work ethics tend to perform way better than those that are riddled with stragglers. Fair contribution from each member is crucial to maintaining a highly productive team.

Building a technical support team from scratch

Starting a customer support team from scratch is not easy. You have to consider many factors and plan ahead for efficiency. Not to mention taking into account the unique needs that are specific to your business and your customers.

Define the goals

The first and foremost step to building a technical support team is to define clear goals for the whole team. Only when every agent is working with the same goal will your team deliver quality support on a large scale. 

For instance, your team’s definition of goals should reflect the core values of your business . Take WPManageNinja , for example. They boast of their 24/7 hands-on support to deliver the exact solution a customer is expecting. This applies even more so when managing holiday sales rush. So to define a clear goal, their support team believes no problem is too big or too small. If a customer needs help, they will get it. 

Speaking of expectations, a support team must always keep the customer’s needs at the top. This includes following up on customers regularly. Customer support is meant to offer a streamlined experience for every user, no matter how easy or complicated their problem is. This reinforces the idea of valuing your customers. 

Similarly, it’s important to study the overall customer expectations in your industry. Some industries reward fast solutions, while others value attention to detail. As a business, it’s essential you figure out what these expectations are to develop the most effective goals to aim for.

The last crucial part of the support team’s goals should be to adhere to any legal requirements that apply to your industry. For support teams, this usually means service level agreements that can vary between countries and their respective industries.

Choose proper channels

For small businesses starting off with customer support, it’s tempting to say, “We’re available wherever and whenever”. Reality is not that simple. For a small team or one that’s just getting started, this is actually one of the biggest support challenges .

When picking the best channels , you need to keep in mind two important factors,

Channels your customers are using : The platforms your customers prefer should be the first place you begin offering support. If your business is using the Facebook business suite, it’s obvious that you need to be available on Facebook to answer customer questions. Selling products on Facebook and telling people to email you for support is a fast way to lose most customers. 

The standard practice : As a basic rule, technical topics are best handled over emails as they can contain files and large exchanges. Emails are a good option to address highly technical issues.

On the other hand, questions about retail products or purchasing options are small back-and-forth conversations with minimum technicality involved. Live chat with an expert is much more effective than sales calls or emails in this regard.

Provide customer solutions through emails right from your tickets dashboard.

Hire accordingly

Your team starts with its agents. You can’t expect a highly effective technical support team from the ground up without hiring the proper people. Things to consider when hiring for your new support team are,

Ideal support agent personality; While this might be a broad category, it’s important to maintain uniformity in your agent personalities. The ideal agents usually have well-developed customer service skills, i.e., communication abilities, empathy, and meticulousness toward details.

Technical proficiency; Depending on your industry, your support agents might need specific skills to handle customer queries. For instance, agents in a software firm need to understand and master the software products to solve issues in them. In addition, they’ll need to be familiar with the tools you provide your support team to function efficiently.

Smooth onboarding; When hiring, it’s important to evaluate not only the skills they bring but also the time required to bring them up to speed. New hires need to be able to learn fast and cope with the changing demands. This is especially difficult for a support team built from the ground up because there aren’t many peers that can guide this process. 

Measure proper metrics

Even before you hire and start building your technical support team, it’s crucial to pick the right metrics to evaluate their performance. While these metrics shouldn’t be the only goal your team needs to achieve, it is definitely the driving hand that will guide most decisions. These metrics or KPIs are crucial to evaluate the team’s performance properly. To determine these metrics, you need to consider the following,

Why these metrics; The most common metrics measured for support teams are CSAT and NPS. When tracking these, it’s important to understand what these metrics signify in the first place. CSAT tells you the level of satisfaction your customer support team is generating. Similarly, tracking average handling time will tell you how proficient your agents are.

Who sees the reports; From a business standpoint, every team has an ROI. However, not every department is concerned about ROI. It’s crucial to remember who is evaluating the metrics when choosing the metrics in the first place. 

Provide the right tool

Lastly, you must consider the tools you want to use to maintain your support system. An effective tool has a huge potential to streamline the whole support process. Conversely, a slow and complex tool will waste time and effort of your support team. Things to consider when choosing your customer support system include,

Functionality; This includes looking at the essential features a support team needs. Most notably, automatic agent assigning, canned responses, agent activity tracking, waiting-time tracker, and detailed admin reports.

Scalability; When building a technical support team, it’s crucial to consider the tool’s scalability. If your business is growing fast, a tool that charges by the agent or the number of tickets is not a good option. You should go for options that don’t apply a growth tax to your team. 

Speed; Customer support is time sensitive, so speed should be one of the top priorities when considering tools. In general, self-hosted help desk solutions are way faster and safer than SaaS solutions.

Ease of use; Last but not least, the tool should be easy to learn with a mild learning curve at most. The more complex the tool, the harder it is to train agents and even harder to gain peak proficiency. Ideally, your tool should be simple to use and learn. 

Wrapping up

So we’ve covered when you might need to build up your own support team and what you’ll need to plan for it accordingly. That being said, each business is different, and so are the customers . It’s crucial to fit this plan to your business and what your customers expect to get the best results. 

While it might not be as simple as hiring some agents and setting up a ticketing system, it’s not much more complex either. A well-informed plan and an attitude to give your best are sometimes all it takes to run and maintain an excellent support team.

Hope this answers all your questions about building a technical support team. Until next time, happy serving!

Start off with a powerful ticketing system that delivers smooth collaboration right out of the box.

Rasel Siddiqe

Hey WordPress folks! Writing for WPManageNinja by day, coding for Data analytics by night! Other than that I’m mostly interested in sci-fi content and deep founded music.

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Technical Support Plan Template

What is a Technical Support Plan?

A technical support plan is an organized approach to managing technical support. It outlines the strategies, processes, and procedures for delivering support services to customers, and defines the roles and responsibilities of the support team. The plan is designed to ensure that your team provides high-quality, consistent support services that help customers quickly solve their issues.

What's included in this Technical Support Plan template?

• 3 focus areas
• 6 objectives

Each focus area has its own objectives, projects, and KPIs to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Who is the Technical Support Plan template for?

This Technical Support Plan template is designed for IT leaders, managers, and teams of all sizes and industries. It will help you create a comprehensive plan to manage your technical support, and ensure that your team is delivering the highest quality of service.

1. Define clear examples of your focus areas

Focus areas are the topics or areas of improvement you want to address with your technical support plan. Some examples of focus areas may include optimizing technical support, enhancing support workflows, and improving support services.

2. Think about the objectives that could fall under that focus area

Objectives are the goals you want to achieve within each focus area. For example, if your focus area is optimizing technical support, your objectives may include improving customer satisfaction and expanding support capabilities.

3. Set measurable targets (KPIs) to tackle the objective

KPIs, or key performance indicators, are the measurable targets you set to track the progress of your objectives. For example, you may set a KPI to decrease the average response time from 24 hours to 12 hours, or to increase the number of articles in your knowledge base from 500 to 1,000.

4. Implement related projects to achieve the KPIs

Projects, or actions, are the steps you take to reach your KPIs. For example, if you have a KPI to decrease response time, an action may be to increase your support staff. Or, if you have a KPI to increase resolution rate, an action may be to automate ticket escalation.

5. Utilize Cascade Strategy Execution Platform to see faster results from your strategy

Cascade is a strategy execution platform designed to help teams track and measure their progress, and ensure that their plans are executed effectively. Cascade can help you ensure that your technical support plan is implemented and that you are seeing faster results from your strategy.

How to Start a Tech Support Business | The Remote Business Model

Date Updated: Jan 22 2024

Read Time: 7 min

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Starting an IT Business from The Ground Up

The basics to developing a tech support business model, risks and rewards for starting a tech support company.

Information technology is defined as applying computer skills using hardware, software, amenities, and infrastructure to build, file, trade, and control information to fulfill several goals. This extends to the employees that are responsible for carrying out these demands. Now that is a lot to consider when figuring out how to start a tech support business from the ground up. But with the right tech model and business ideas, your goal of starting an IT business and providing technical support to customers will happen before you know it.

IT professionals should have skills in problem-solving , analytics, and dexterity if they hope to be successful within the field. Competition is high, however, and only the most prepared and determined individuals will maintain a successful company. For this reason, starting your own IT tech support eCommerce business can be a difficult but rewarding challenge.

Anyone who wants to be an entrepreneur dreams of two things: freedom and stability. Freedom to do what you want and stability to grow and scale.

You need to make a few decisions before you begin to learn how to start a tech support business. Things such as the tech support business model you will use, who your target audience is, and what can be done to facilitate their needs. For instance, some businesses in this space are providing technical support to customers by offering help with emails. In this scenario you will obviously want to educate yourself on the ins and outs of emailing and be available for your client should they run into any issues. Your customers may range from personal to professional clients.

For more information, view our complete guide on how to start a business .

Some issues don’t need to be handled in person. Remote tech support businesses are able to fix general issues over the phone or through online communication-saving time and manpower. With the help of remote connection software, specialists are just a click away. All you need to start up is a computer, phone access, the appropriate software, and knowledge.

Outline your remote tech support services

Before beginning your business, you’ll need to decide what services you offer. Will it be to fix email issues, help backup customer files, install security measures, or something else? Your prior work experience and skills will help determine what subset you should focus on. A remote pc tech support agent who is only experienced in Windows would not be a good candidate to help those with Mac devices.

Also, ask yourself if you want to be working with everyday clients or with other companies in need of tech support. B2B sales for technical support services is one of the largest subsections within the IT service sector. It might be a good avenue for you to consider for your business as well. Just make sure your merchant account supports B2B payment processing .

Further, an important factor in your tech support business model is to decide on your work hours. Offering evening and weekend schedules may be ideal since most customers are home during this time.

Figure out your IT support company pricing and payments

Once you know the types of services you will be offering, that will then beg the question of what you are going to be charging for it. You can start by researching your competitor’s offering and pricing to determine if you want to beat them on quality or value. This will be the easiest way to figure out the numbers, but also consider how you will be asking customers to pay through your tech support merchant account .

It’s not a requirement to fully understand how tech support payment processing works. Like how a client doesn’t need to know every inch of your company in order to make a payment. But it is a good idea to know how to start a tech support business with a secure and compliant merchant account with your acquiring bank.

• Are you going to structure your tech support business in a subscription style are you on a contract basis?
• Do your clients prefer ACH payments or do they like to pay with their company credit card?
• Are you going to need to send them automated invoices to pay via mail or would you rather send a text-to-pay link to their cellphone?

These are all questions you should have answers to before starting an IT business and providing technical support to customers. After all of this is hashed out, you will have a foolproof tech support business model to grow with you for the years to come.

Form your legal business entity

The type of entity you choose should be based upon your own personal preference. There are many types of tech support business models to choose from such as LLCs, Sole proprietors, and Corporations. But, it would be impossible to choose between these types without knowing what they are.

• LLC – Arguably the most flexible option. An LLC (or Limited Liability Company) offers protection from liability, supports an unlimited number of members, and requires a separate legal entity to be filed with the state. But it’s important to know that this is not the best choice for companies that plan to go public.
• C-Corporation – This is one of the better options for businesses that plan on going public at some point. You will have an unlimited number of allowed shareholders, a separate legal filing with the state, as well as some liability protections. But you will also be subject to double taxation and inflexibility with administrative upkeep.
• S-Corporation – A great choice for smaller corporations that have no plans to go public or do business overseas. You will have a limited amount of shareholders, a separate filing with the state, and only one level of taxation. But keep in mind that it requires a lot of administrative upkeep.

Weigh the pros and cons of these options against what you want the business to run like as you grow. You may find that doing more business upfront allows you more flexibility as you grow – or maybe not!

Get tech support certifications, permits, and licenses

IT businesses may require state or local permits in order to start providing technical support to customers. To determine if this affects you, look online for resources in your area or go to SBA.gov for information on how to apply for licenses and permits .

Buy equipment & software for your tech support business

You will also need to purchase appropriate hardware and software to begin your business as well as set prices for your services. It is wise to purchase a high-performance computer along with two monitors that are connected to high-speed internet. This will guarantee stability when working on different projects.

It may also become important to use a CRM for account management, invoicing, and payment tracking. This is especially true for business owners who struggle with the accounting part of it or have multiple employees working for you.

Set your business apart with great service (and marketing)

Of course, you want to provide the best service that you can to keep your customers coming back. But that doesn’t mean that your influence should stop there. You should be visible online and boast good customer feedback in order to attain new clients.

Common grassroots tech support marketing initiatives include:

• Have a clear and concise website that appears on search engines
• Ask for and promote customer reviews and feedback
• Interact with community social media groups
• Offer incentives to get people in the door such as coupons or referral discounts
• Print out flyers and post around town and in community centers
• Attend conferences and network with other professionals for possible referral partnerships

Common paid advertising campaigns for IT companies are:

• Buy ads on search engines and social media sites
• Purchase ad spots in newspapers and magazines that relate to your niche
• Implement a retargeting program using cookies
• Go onto a local radio show or record an audio advertisement

There are so many options for tech support and IT businesses to get started marketing, advertising, and getting their name out there. It just takes a little bit of creativity and an understanding of your audience.

Like every business, there are certain rewards and risks that come with providing technical support to customers. After identifying the risks, the following steps will be to mitigate and reduce the risk factors.

Risks include:

• Failure- Any new business has the potential for not making it through the first year. Financial issues and the inability to maintain funds is a huge hindrance.
• Changing Industry- the tech support and IT sector is constantly developing and growing which can leave many merchants in the dust. Security issues and technologies never stay stagnant, it’s important to keep up.
• Chargebacks- With online businesses, especially those providing services, have more issues with customers seeking chargebacks through their bank. This reflects badly on your company and may lead to an account shutdown.

Rewards include:

• Freedom- A successful business plan and execution is often met with increased freedom and income.
• Constant Learning- New technology is constantly arising giving you the opportunity to learn and develop your skills to fit current needs. This can be very rewarding and even prevent boredom.
• Online Payment Options – Customers nowadays love having more options to pay. Debit cards, credit cards, electronic checks, etc. are all possible with online businesses. Credit cards are the most popular ways to pay and are often the mode of payment in the tech support industry.

With all of these risks and rewards comes business responsibilities. This is not a passive industry; all rewards are fought for and won through research and due diligence. Failing to follow up on your business may put you at risk for instability and eventually failure. Some of these things are easier to insure than others. Staying up to date and executing your business plan is all up to how motivated and prepared you are. The payment aspect, on the other hand, relies on more than just your determination and is considered high-risk .

Brontë Fyke

Brontë is a UX/UI designer and marketer based in Los Angeles, CA. She's been creating and promoting content for over 4 years, covering a range of topics in the payment processing industry. Brontë is currently the Director of Marketing at PaymentCloud, a merchant services provider that offers business solutions for companies in all industries - no matter the risk.

Brontë Fyke 7 min read

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IT, Staffing & Customer Service Business Plans

Administrative services business plans.

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Digital is the future. If there’s not an online version of some shopping, communication, or entertainment experiences currently available, in a few years there will be. And while some are busy designing and developing these digital platforms, the most vital component for them to succeed is the IT and customer service employees maintaining it.

Launch your own IT, staffing, or customer service business to an ever-expanding market of companies with a business plan. Spend less time on the planning and financial components of your business and more time on maintaining your customers’ services by starting off with one of our sample plans.

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AWS Support Plans

You can change your AWS Support Plans for your account based on your business needs.

Features of AWS Support Plans

• Changing AWS Support Plans

AWS Support offers five support plans:

Enterprise On-Ramp

Basic Support offers support for account and billing questions and service quota increases. The other plans offer a number of technical support cases with pay-by-the-month pricing and no long-term contracts.

All AWS customers automatically have 24x7 access to these features of Basic Support:

One-on-one responses to account and billing questions

Support forums

Service health checks

Documentation, technical papers, and best practice guides

Customers with a Developer Support plan have access to these additional features:

Best practice guidance

Client-side diagnostic tools

Building-block architecture support: guidance on how to use AWS products, features, and services together

Supports an unlimited number of support cases that can be opened by any user with permissions .

In addition, customers with a Business, Enterprise On-Ramp, or Enterprise Support plan have access to these features:

Use-case guidance – What AWS products, features, and services to use to best support your specific needs.

AWS Trusted Advisor – A feature of AWS Support, which inspects customer environments and identifies opportunities to save money, close security gaps, and improve system reliability and performance. You can access all Trusted Advisor checks.

The AWS Support API to interact with Support Center and Trusted Advisor. You can use the AWS Support API to automate support case management and Trusted Advisor operations.

Third-party software support – Help with Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instance operating systems and configuration. Also, help with the performance of the most popular third-party software components on AWS. Third-party software support isn't available for customers on Basic or Developer Support plans.

Supports an unlimited number of AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) users who can open technical support cases.

In addition, customers with an Enterprise On-Ramp or Enterprise Support plan have access to these features:

Application architecture guidance – Consultative guidance on how services fit together to meet your specific use case, workload, or application.

Infrastructure event management – Short-term engagement with AWS Support to get a deep understanding of your use case. After analysis, provide architectural and scaling guidance for an event.

Technical account manager – Work with a technical account manager (TAM) for your specific use cases and applications.

White-glove case routing.

Management business reviews.

For more information about features and pricing for each support plan, see AWS Support and Compare AWS Support plans . Some features, such as 24x7 phone and chat support, aren't available in all languages.

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A2 Hosting review: Pros and cons in 2024

Mehdi Punjwani

Sierra Campbell

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Published 7:09 a.m. UTC April 17, 2024

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Best for e-commerce sites

Base plan monthly cost

Uptime guarantee, free domain name.

• Great for WordPress users.
• Integration with multiple e-commerce providers.
• 24/7 customer support by phone and chat.
• Web domains and site builder cost extra.
• Renewal price is significantly higher.
• Speed-boosting features only on premium plans.

Why trust our small business experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 17 companies reviewed.
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• 1,568 data points analyzed.

A2 Hosting is a well-known web hosting service offering an array of features, excellent customer service and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. A2 Hosting is our choice for the best web hosting service to use for e-commerce business owners, but its strong security features make it a great choice for corporate websites as well, and it also has useful toolkits for WordPress users.

A2 Hosting’s plans are relatively fairly priced. However, keep an eye out for renewal costs as well as separate charges for both domains and its website builder. We’ve put this hosting service under our microscope and will detail its plans, pricing and features in this review so you can see if it’s the right platform for your business.

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A2 Hosting overview

As with any web hosting service, when you subscribe to A2 Hosting, you can use its servers to host your website. You can either connect your domain to its servers or register a domain with A2 Hosting directly, choosing from data centers in Michigan, Arizona, Amsterdam or Singapore. You’ll be able to build a website with A2 Hosting, though you’ll need to pay extra on most plans unless you’re making a single-page website.

A2 Hosting offers a variety of hosting types, including shared, VPS, dedicated and reseller hosting. It also offers multiple tools designed to work with WordPress websites, as well as supporting plugins for numerous third-party apps like WooCommerce and Joomla. 24/7 customer service by phone and live chat, free migrations and 99.9% guaranteed uptime combine to make A2 Hosting a strong web hosting provider and one of our top ten .

A2 Hosting pros and cons

Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of A2 Hosting to help you decide whether it’s the right hosting service for your business:

A2 Hosting offers the following benefits:

• WordPress support: A2 Hosting allows auto-setup for WordPress websites with pre-configured speed and security settings. You’ll also have access to a variety of WordPress plug-ins and page builders. Both Turbo plans offer a deluxe WordPress toolkit and up to 20 times faster speeds.
• E-commerce plugins: You’ll also have a one-click setup for WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop and AbanteCart, as well as support for a number of other plugins. This makes it an ideal hosting platform for companies and individuals using third-party e-commerce apps as part of their business.
• Excellent customer support: A2 Hosting’s customer service team is available 24/7 by live chat, phone and email — ideal for those who want a strong support presence for potential hiccups.

While A2 Hosting certainly has some solid attributes, you should also consider the following drawbacks:

• Extra costs: You’ll need to pay extra to use A2 Hosting’s website builder unless you’re building a single-page website on its cheapest plan, and domains cost extra on all plans. This can be beneficial for those who already have a complete website setup and just need to host it — for example, WordPress users or those with a presence on an e-commerce website.
• High renewal price: Like many other hosting services, A2 Hosting offers a discount for your first year — however, we found its renewal rates to be particularly high. 
• Premium only: Some of A2 Hosting’s flagship performance features, like Turbo speeds, are only available on premium plans.

A2 Hosting pricing and value

A2 Hosting offers four web hosting plans, as summarized in the table above. Startup is the cheapest, starting at $2.99 a month and renewing at $12.99 a month. You’ll get one website, 100 GB of SSD storage and five databases. It also comes with a free SSL certificate, 24/7 support and the same main security features as higher plans. 

This is a solid enough base for businesses that will benefit from the free website builder included for a single-page website. However, upgrading to the Drive plan at $5.99 per month for the first year (renewing at $15.99 per month) gives you unlimited websites and storage as well as free automatic backups, so we think it’s worth the extra $3 per month if you’re looking to commit to A2 Hosting and scale up.

If you’re looking for faster and more powerful hosting and you’re prepared to spend the necessary money for a premium service, you might want to consider the Turbo Boost and Turbo Max plans. Offering speeds up to 20 times faster with a LiteSpeed web server that’s up to 11 times faster than Apache, plus a suite of deluxe WordPress features, it might be worth the upgrade if A2 Hosting already works for your business. 

However, at $6.99 per month (renewing at $24.99 per month) for the Boost plan and $14.99 per month (renewing at $29.99 per month) for the Max plan, it’s among the more expensive of the services we’ve ranked on our Best List. You might find better value with other providers, and if you’re keen on WordPress features, DreamHost offers a wallet-friendly alternative. 

It’s worth noting that all plans come with a money-back guarantee, however none come with a domain included, so you’ll need to purchase this separately. 

Type of hosting

A2 Hosting offers a number of different hosting types:

• Shared hosting: A2 Hosting provides shared hosting, which lets you and multiple other users share a single server — a cost-effective option for small businesses and websites.
• VPS hosting: Each user or website gets an isolated unit in the shared server, allowing more resources and greater privacy. A2 Hosting offers managed VPS hosting starting at $35.99 per month or unmanaged VPS hosting starting at $2.99 per month (renewing at $8.99 per month) if you’re willing to take on more maintenance responsibilities for a lower price. With managed hosting, you can start with up to 16 GB RAM, 450 GB storage and up to 4 TB data transfer. Unmanaged VPS hosting starts with up to 4 GB RAM, 150 GB storage and up to 3 TB data transfer.
• Dedicated hosting: A2 Hosting also offers dedicated hosting plans for bigger businesses that need their own server or system of servers. Both managed and unmanaged plans start at $79.99 per month, but managed dedicated hosting renews at $249.99 per month, while unmanaged hosting plan renewal prices start at $199.99 per month. Managed and unmanaged dedicated hosting offer 2×1 TB SSD storage, 6 TB data transfer and a free 1 TB backup drive. 
• E-commerce hosting: A2 Hosting is our pick for e-commerce business owing to its flexibility. It integrates with a range of third-party apps, including WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop and AbanteCart with a one-click setup.
• Reseller hosting : If you want to resell web hosting, you can use A2 Hosting’s reseller hosting service with plans starting at $22.99 per month (renewing at $50.99 per month). Plans start with 60 GB storage, 600 GB data transfer and up to 20x faster speeds with Turbo servers.
• Email hosting: A2 Hosting’s email hosting services start at $1.59 per month (renewing at $2.49 per month), allowing you to set up a professional email service and send/receive 200 emails an hour or 500 emails a day with a 10 GB storage account. Upgrading adds an extra dollar to both starting and renewal prices, giving you 30 GB of storage, 300 emails an hour or 1,000 per day, and extra features like contact groups, priority inboxes and a signature builder.
• WordPress hosting: You can also subscribe to shared or managed WordPress hosting with A2 Hosting. Plans start at $11.99 per month (renewing at $25.99 per month), and you’ll get one website with 50 GB storage, access to the fast Turbo LiteSpeed server, one database and unlimited email addresses. 

Performance and uptime

A2 Hosting offers a high degree of reliability with an uptime guarantee of 99.9%. With servers in Michigan, Arizona, Amsterdam and Singapore, it offers coverage for businesses in North America, Europe and Asia. 

Bandwidth and storage

A2 Hosting offers unlimited bandwidth on all plans, and each plan also comes with unlimited storage except for Startup, which only offers 100 GB. The Startup plan is also the only plan that doesn’t offer A2 Cloud backup as standard, while all others do.

Security features

All plans come with a free SSL certificate as well as basic security features such as two-factor authentication, reinforced DDoS protection, a virus scanner, a firewall, brute force defense, free HackScan and KernelCare Daily.

Customer support

All A2 Hosting plans come with 24/7 support from the Guru Crew through phone, live chat and email, as well as free assisted site migration.

A2 Hosting vs. top competitors

A2 hosting vs dreamhost.

If you run a WordPress site and you’re looking for a slightly more budget-friendly option than A2 Hosting, we’d recommend DreamHost. The cheapest plan starts at $4.95 a month, which is a little higher than A2 Hosting; however, it only renews at $7.99 a month. You’ll get many of the same perks, including unlimited traffic, a free SSL certificate and free automated WordPress migrations.

DreamHost’s Shared Starter plan also offers a WordPress installer and automated daily backups — which A2 Hosting doesn’t. You’ll only get 50 GB of storage compared to A2 Hosting’s 100 GB on its cheapest plan; however, the next DreamHost plan offers unlimited websites, storage and email for $13.99 per month. Upgrading with A2 costs a little more at $15.99 per month, so DreamHost is our pick for those looking to design a WordPress site while keeping costs lower.

A2 Hosting vs Namecheap

Namecheap is another excellent choice and one of our top providers, and we recommend them for businesses with simple hosting needs and a relatively low budget. Pricing starts at $1.98 per month and renews at $4.48 per month, making it one of the most affordable hosting services on our list. And for this, you’ll get a free domain name, three websites, 20 GB of storage and unmetered bandwidth, representing good value for the overall price.

You can upgrade to unlimited websites, storage and mailboxes, as well as add AutoBackup with the Stellar Plus plan, starting at $2.98 per month and renewing at $6.48 per month. All plans also include a free website builder, automatic SSL installation and free website migration in under 24 hours. Namecheap offers a well-rounded hosting solution with good value for the money, so it’s ideal for businesses with basic hosting needs that also want to keep prices low.

A2 Hosting vs MochaHost

MochaHost is our pick for businesses with more advanced hosting needs due to the capabilities it offers. Starting at $3.18 per month and renewing at $6.35 per month, MochaHost is a powerful hosting service that offers a range of features. These include LiteSpeed web servers, a cPanel control panel, nine data center locations around the world, free migrations and automated backups. 

However, upper-tier plans give you access to unlimited websites, free domain names and increased storage. MochaHost’s Business plan starts at $4.18 per month and renews at $8.35 per month, while the Ultimate plan starts at $11.95 per month and renews at $23.90 per month. With the Ultimate plan, you’ll get free premium backups and unlimited storage, making it a great plan for bigger businesses that will make use of the extra features.

Methodology

Our team researches the key competitors within an industry to find the best products and services for your business. We identify what matters most, including pricing, features and customer support options, to ensure that our recommendations offer products that will meet the needs of various businesses.

We evaluate website hosting services based on the inclusion of unlimited storage and bandwidth, a free domain name and SSL certificate, a free business email and automatic backups. Our data-driven approach encapsulates each company’s entire offerings and promotes a non-biased evaluation of the products and services.

Read our full guide to learn more about how we determine the best website hosting services of 2024 .

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

A2 Hosting can be a good choice for your business, offering fast load times, strong security features and data backups to meet your hosting requirements so you can concentrate on managing your website and business.

A2 Hosting began in Michigan. However, it also has data centers in Arizona, Amsterdam and Singapore.

Yes, you can change your primary domain name with A2 Hosting as long as it isn’t set up as a parked domain or add-on. The new domain should be ready to work before you change over to avoid downtime.

Yes, A2 Hosting offers managed and unmanaged dedicated hosting for your website.

All plans allow unlimited websites apart from the Startup plan, so you’ll be able to have multiple sites on one account.

The best website hosting service for you and your business will depend on your needs and budget. We’d recommend A2 Hosting for e-commerce businesses and those with advanced WordPress sites.

However, DreamHost is a better option for WordPress users on a budget. Namecheap is a good budget option in general, while Mochahost is ideal for advanced users who can take advantage of its wide array of features.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mehdi is a writer and editor with many years of personal finance expertise under his belt. He's a spirited money-saver, with a passion for making personal finance accessible and manageable. When he isn't writing, Mehdi likes to read about history and travel, hike along coastlines and in forests, and watch his beloved team Manchester United underperform.

Sierra Campbell is a small business editor for USA Today Blueprint. She specializes in writing, editing and fact-checking content centered around helping businesses. She has worked as a digital content and show producer for several local TV stations, an editor for U.S. News & World Report and a freelance writer and editor for many companies. Sierra prides herself in delivering accurate and up-to-date information to readers. Her expertise includes credit card processing companies, e-commerce platforms, payroll software, accounting software and virtual private networks (VPNs). She also owns Editing by Sierra, where she offers editing services to writers of all backgrounds, including self-published and traditionally published authors.

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