Thursday, October 20, 2011

How to Start Your Own Computer Repair Business - Helpful Tips Guide




First of all, you can choose to use only your name if you do not want to create a catchy name tvrtke.Jedina thing is that when advertising, you will not look like a business, and may not look like a professional. Sometimes business names appeal more customers. If you decide to create a name (example: Cool Cats Computer Repair), then you will need to register for a DBA (doing business as). Registering a DBA for your company name makes it so that the exact legal name in your area, and so someone else can take the name. It is also useful for when you want to open a business savings / current account and want to use your registered name. This way, when a customer wants to pay, they can write their checks payable to the name tvrtke.DBA is very inexpensive and does not take long at all to get. I paid $ 15 for mine clearance, fill out a page, and it was the first day. Simple and very well worth the $ 15. Plus, "Cool Cats Computer Repair" sounds better than saying "John Smith ".


logo is not required, but it's great to have for when you decide to business cards. Something simple, clean, creative and give the name of your company's image. Once it gets passed around enough, people will recognize your business logo only. You can create your own logo or someone to do for little cost. There are many logo design websites online that work very well, but if you do it yourself then I would recommend it. Free is always better.


Equipment and supplies needed


When it comes to computer repair, there are a few essential tools you will need. Not just a tool for putting things together, but the software tools and business forms. Here is a list of some of the things that you should have.




  • forms - for legal purposes, organization, delivery receipts, and track your customers. Forms such as maintenance logs, certificates, contracts, etc. will be needed, so you can monitor your work and provide a copy of the customer of what has been done. Contracts are a great way to stay legally safe when it comes to repairing or building a computer. You do not want to be at fault for the damage that was not the cause. You can choose the type of the various forms yourself, get ideas from other online and make your own, or buy kits. I decided to buy a kit from Computer Business Technibble.com because it includes every form you need, you will save a TON of time and the price reasonable at $ 49.
  • Set of tools - that are necessary to remove and add hardware and various other components inside the computer. There are a wide variety of tool kits, and all are about the same, except for some involving multiple tools. So, depending on how in depth you go to a computer repair kits will vary. All of them are nice pouch to keep it portable. Tool kits start at about $ 10 on Amazon. Great investment for any business computer repair.
  • Business cards - you'll need business cards to hand to their clients and to use for advertising purposes. Be sure to include company name, brief description, contact number, website, e-mail, and any other information you think would be useful for the customer. This is where your logo is required. Make sure you add it to the card. I prefer to create business cards online because it saves time, paper and ink. Plus the prices are reasonable and that will get them in the mail soon.
  • software - when it displays the customer's home, you can not go unprepared, it will kill your business quickly. What I recommend is to create a CD that contains software tools for fixing problems, and other useful files. Put these on a CD-R, not DVD-R disc, because you never know if the buyer has an old computer without a DVD drive. Keep a file on a CD in the organization, so you can quickly find what you're looking for. I create folders for different types of tools, such as the Anti-Spyware, Anti-Virus, etc. Be sure that your tools are legal and compatible with all Windows operating systems. Tools that will be useful as anti-virus, Anti-Spyware, System Utilities, Registry Cleaners, Drivers, Windows service packs, and any other useful software. You can go and browse the categories to find freeware to use.
  • Additional, but handy tool - a notebook for storing all your software, customer information, and forms. Although the laptop is not required, it is useful if you need to get on the internet to download drivers / software, or if you need information / files outside of it. External disk / USB drive will be useful for transferring files between computers, or you can use to store tools and software. Blank CD / DVD, just in case you need to burn some files and give them to the buyer.


Advertising


Advertising is one of the most important steps when it comes to starting a business computer repair. Need to get customers, but at the same time it takes to save on consumption, so that the best and cheapest way to advertise.




  • Local newspapers - you can put an ad in the local newspaper and run it for several days or several weeks. Prices vary depending on the newspapers, but some of them will work with you if you advertise for a long period of time. I saw the ads start at $ 10 a day, but go up to $ 30 per day. Call your local newspaper and get some price quotes. Keep your ads short, descriptive, and do not forget your phone number.
  • Craigslist.org is a free classifieds website that gets a large amount of hits per day. Place an ad in the Services / Computer parts and explain what you do, the cost rates, and to be contacted.
  • Local message boards - place a flyer or business cards on bulletin boards in local towns / cities. These plates can usually be found in the town hall, shops, petrol stations, post offices, laundry mats, and lots of other places.
  • Hand out business cards - business cards to carry in your wallet, so every time you meet a potential buyer can only get one arm on them. Leave business cards with your customer after the job, and tell them if you have found your service to help please recommend your friends / family.
  • Word of mouth - the best way to get your name out there to tell everyone you know. Tell your friends, family, Facebook friends, and anyone else you know, so it will spread the word about you. You'll be surprised how many customers you can get only verbal and not spend a single penny.


a few additional tips


pretty much the basics are covered, but there are some useful tips that I use, if you're interested in starting a business computer repair.




  • Know your competition and do some research on your local computer repair company if you are already in your area. Check your prices, service, return policy, and everything else. This will give you an idea of ​​what you should charge (to keep prices below the competition), and what you should offer your customers. Plus what do you think May of ways to improve your business just by looking at their website.
  • Web site will give you a professional look, give you more customers, give you more advertising opportunities, and facilitate the customers to get information about your business and prices.
  • If your area already has a full service company, then it will be harder for you to generate customers. This does not mean that it is impossible and you should at least try. Make your business stand out from others by creating an attractive name, affordable prices, more services and more personal experience for their customers.
  • Remember that it is about your customers and making them happy. If, according to their customers badly, or simply just want money, not give them a friendly experience, then you will lose those customers. Be yourself, but professional, so that the customer feels comfortable with what you do on your computer. Without happy customers, you will have a business going anywhere soon.
  • Stay in control, organized, and treat it as if you were doing a great job, because some day it can be converted into one.


I'll be posting more guides and tips on starting / running your own business computer repair. If you find this post useful, please share it with others!

No comments:

Post a Comment