When you run a small business, chances are that you’re going to incorporate IT into the scheme of things at some point along the line. It’s practically impossible to do business nowadays without having to use a little tech here and there. Many businesses operate entirely online, selling their goods and services through a specially designed website. A number of businesses operate blogs to promote their products. The majority have social media accounts to engage with the public on a more casual level. Then there are all of the business emails that need to be sent, tax returns that need to be filled in and filed online, and various other tasks that need to be carried out. It’s not all too surprising, then, that if you were to experience a problem with your IT, or you were to find yourself offline, your business could face significant losses in the time it takes you to rectify the situation. If you know little about the web, software, and other aspects of IT, you could find yourself completely baffled and see your business go offline for days. This is why you need to collaborate with IT professionals – they know what they are doing and will be able to prevent problems from establishing themselves in the first place, or offer quick fixes to issues that have managed to come to light. The big question that you have to pose to yourself, however, is whether to outsource or develop an in-house IT department. Here are some of the pros of each option!
Outsourcing
Chances are you’ve outsourced plenty of work when setting your business up. From web design to product photography. So, you’re likely to be familiar with the process should you decide to outsource your IT Support. Having remote IT support is particularly useful for business owners who still operate from home and consequently aren’t in a position to take on in-house employees. It is also a good option for business owners who are not yet ready to take on the responsibility of full time employees.
In-House
If you are experiencing regular tech issues, you may want to be able to reach out to someone immediately and get an immediate response when you do. This is when an in-house IT department might benefit you. This will entail having multiple individuals working for you in your current office or commercial property. You will get to know the workers on a more personal level and can literally be in the same room as them, which will allow you to communicate problems more coherently and quickly.
Whether you choose to outsource your IT or to develop an in-house department, hopefully the above information has helped you to see how important it is that you engage with one practice or the other. Having functioning IT is absolutely essential for any business operating in the current marketplace!