Business

5 Questions to Ask Your IT Consultant (Now)

Over 40% of cyberattacks target small businesses. In fact, 60% of small businesses go out of business within six months of an attack. You don’t have to leave your company and customers vulnerable.

Instead, consider hiring an experienced IT consultant. With their help, you can remain secure. The changes you make to your IT setup can benefit your productivity, too. An innovation consultant can also help lead you to choose the best path as well

You can improve your customer service, boost your output, and improve your bottom line.

Not sure which IT consulting company to hire? Ask these five questions before making your choice.

Asking these questions can help you narrow down your options. You can find an IT pro ready to help your business.

Start your search with these five questions today.  

1. How Big is Your Team?

Before choosing an IT consultant, ask each company about its team. A larger IT company will have more availability. They’ll have an easier time responding to your needs as a result.

Ask the company if they have multiple technicians on staff. If they only have one or two technicians available, it could impact their response times.

You might have to wait for help if there’s a breach or emergency. Every second you wait could impact your bottom line. Your customers could get frustrated if they encounter technical issues, too.

You don’t have to hire the largest IT consulting firm around, though.

Instead, learn more about the company’s history. How long have they run and operated? How long have they run in the area?

A long-standing business has likely earned the respect of its clients. It’s probably outlasted the competition in the area, too. 

A new business, however, will still have kinks it will need to work out. If they have a smaller team, they might struggle to help you.

Ask each company for proof of their license and insurance, too. If they’re not licensed, scratch them off your list. 

Choosing an insured company will give you peace of mind. If something goes wrong, the company won’t hold you liable.

Ask if you’ll work with a dedicated IT consultant, too. A dedicated consultant will have an intimate understanding of your business. You won’t have to explain the same situation multiple times with different consultants, either.

Instead, you can feel confident working with the same consultant each time. 

Check out this website for an experienced team you can trust.

2. What Services Do You Offer?

Ask the IT consulting firms about the services they offer as well. Before making your choice, you’ll want to know if the team can meet your needs. If they don’t have the services you need, scratch them off your list.

For example, you might want to look for a company that specializes in security.

There was a 424% increase in new small business cyber breaches last year. Cybercrime costs businesses over $2.2 million a year as well. Nearly 70% of businesses are concerned about security risks as a result.

In fact, nearly 50% have no idea how to protect themselves against cyberattacks. If you’re concerned about data breaches, look for a company that offers security services.

Ask each company if they offer remote support, too.

You won’t have to wait for the technician to arrive at your place of business. Instead, they can help every member of your team, regardless of their location. If your sales team is always on the move, they’ll likely benefit from remote support.

Make a list of the services you need. For example, do you want to move your system to the cloud?

Are you looking for ways to improve your communications setup?

Ask for an itemized list of their services. Then, you can compare costs during your search.

3. How Fast is Your Response Time?

Before choosing an IT consultant, it’s important to find someone with fast response times. If there’s an emergency, your team’s productivity could suffer. Instead, you can find peace of mind by finding a responsive IT expert.

If your customers encounter technical problems, they might get frustrated. They could take their business elsewhere and tell others about their experience. Their frustration could impact your brand’s reputation as a result.

Instead, look for an IT consulting firm with fast response times.

They’ll understand the importance of reacting quickly to technical emergencies.

Ask the company if they offer 24-hour monitoring, too. They’ll react to issues right away, even if your doors are closed. Their quick response times can give you peace of mind. 

4. Are You Familiar With My Industry?

As you vet your list of IT consulting companies, consider the type of experience and expertise you need. You could benefit from finding a consultant who has experience with your industry. Their understanding of your competitors and customers can give you an advantage.

Ask if they’re familiar working with your current systems, too. If they’re not familiar with the technology you use, they might struggle. They could waste valuable time trying to troubleshoot the problems you experience as a result.

Before hiring IT consultants, head online. Look for reviews on the company’s Better Business Bureau and Google My Business listings.

If you see one or two negative reviews, that’s normal. If you see an abundance of negative reviews, scratch that company off your list.

Reading reviews can help you learn more from someone who was once in your shoes. You can learn more about the company’s professionalism and response times.

5. What’s Included in the Contract?

Before hiring an IT consultant, consider your budget. How much can you spend on IT services?

Ask each consulting firm for a copy of their contract. What’s included? What services are extra?

Consider what price model the company uses, too.

If you have any questions about the contract, make sure to ask before signing on the dotted line. Make sure anything you discuss is in writing, too. If there are any disagreements, you can always consult the contract. 

Hiring the Best: 5 Questions to Ask Your IT Consultant

Don’t hire the first IT consultant you find online. Instead, ask these questions to vet your options. Asking these questions will help you find the best IT consulting companies around.

You can narrow down your options and find peace of mind in your choice.

Searching for more useful tips and tricks? We’re here to help.

Explore our latest guides today to get started. 

Hussnain

Hussnain is a professional article writer and SEO executive, graduated in Computer Sciences & English Literature. He has been working in multiple niches including tech, education, business, and e-commerce. As a freelancer, he has years of experience in converting his thoughts to words in a magnificent way. if you have any query then DM me at hussnain@whatsmagazine.com

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