Working remotely has rapidly transitioned to become the new normal as a result of COVID-19. Accordingly, businesses are adapting their models to fit flexible arrangements for their people. As businesses adapt to these arrangements, they must also consider that IT issues will be just as prevalent at home, as they are in the office. This has caused an increase in the necessity for remote IT services. Thus, as the demand for IT services grow, new opportunities are opening for entrepreneurs to enter the market as a Remote IT Business.
1. Gain IT Skills and Knowledge
As the owner of an IT business, it is important that you earn industry certifications to differentiate yourself from competitors. By furthering your education, you will learn new skills and keep up with trends and the best practices. Tertiary education, online courses, and reading our blogs are just a few of the ways you can upskill.
You can also pursue certifications for a vendor’s technology. For example, you could provide specialised services for clients seeking assistance with Microsoft, Cisco Systems, and Amazon Web Services. This knowledge is a major selling point for potential clients because it proves your expertise and gives you a competitive edge over your competitors with a niche specialisation in the industry.
2. Devise Your Offerings
After you have gained your skills and qualifications to be an IT consultant, you must then consider what you will offer. It is important to remember that your services are the main selling point for potential clients, and you may want to consider the types of services your practice will provide. For example, this may include:
- Tech Support; or
- Network design and installation; or
- Remote administration management; or
- Hosted services or storage.
In picking your offerings, be sure to commit to ones which best demonstrate your expertise. Although it can be tempting to offer services outside of the scope of your skillset, you risk taking on work that you are unable to do.
3. Create a Business Plan
A clear business plan is essential for success. Business plans will give your business direction from the outset and keep you on track through the introductory stages of your operations. Importantly, this document will give you something to show prospective investors, advisors and even clients from the earliest stages of your business.
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Get started4. Understand Your Budget as a Remote IT Business
A crucial part of being a business owner is being good with your money. When setting prices, be sure that they reflect your skills and experience in the IT industry. By understanding the upfront costs for your remote IT business and creating a simple budget, you are able to plan accordingly, save money over time and spend appropriately.
- Calculate your costs: Add up your business expenses, considering software licenses, insurance premiums and equipment costs. As a remote business, you will be able to save on costs as you can work from home.
- Estimate your revenue: By understanding how much you expect to make monthly, quarterly and annually, you will be able to organise your spending appropriately and estimate your revenue based on your financial goals.
- Calculate your profit margin: Profit margins are the percentage of money left from sales after business expenses have been deducted. By calculating these margins, you will be able to see if you are charging enough to pay off your expenses as your business expands.
If you are not as confident with this, consider hiring a financial services lawyer or accountant to assist with taxes, financial planning, compliance with regulatory advice and strategic advice for your financials.
5. Establish your Remote IT Business
Although establishing your remote IT business can be intimidating, a simple checklist can ease this process. Licenses and certifications will vary depending on the country and area you live in, but in Australia, you should prioritise the following:
- Register your business with us;
- Open a business bank account to separate your funds; and
- Seek legal assistance to create legal contracts to use with your clients.
For further information, please see the Australian Business License and Information Service to learn about the laws you need to follow based on the specifics of your business.
6. Market Your Services and Network
Once your business is legally established, you must build its brand. As a remote business, finding clients for your IT business can be especially challenging, but this is the most important step in this guide for long-term success.
Digital marketing is necessary for IT businesses, and it is likely that prospective clients will find your business through search engines. Thus, you must set up a website to promote your offerings. Also, consider a search engine optimisation (SEO) consultant to boost your site’s Google rankings.
Create social media accounts to build an online following and start building your network by reaching out to potential clients. Post content that is relevant to the industry and demonstrates your awareness of evolving trends within the IT industry. From here, you can begin operating your business and providing services to your clients.
Finally, it is important that you reach out to current and former colleagues, network at events and put yourself out there. The human touch of networking will play an important role in attracting clients.
Conclusion
In summary, starting a Remote IT Business is just like any other business. The six simple steps provided serve as the basics for building your business. These tips build a strong foundation for you to start your business journey. However, there is much more to consider, so it is recommended you contact a company lawyer for further information or assistance.
