How to Start a Computer Consultancy Business

Computer consultancy is highly lucrative with millions of computer owners worldwide. The business is slightly challenging and highly competitive.

Before starting the business you need to determine startup costs. Other considerations include different income stream, legality and training. Here are a few ideas on how to start a computer consultancy company.

How to Start a Computer Consultancy Business

Training

You need to be a qualified computer technician to offer consultancy services. Learn through technical school, apprentice programs and books.

Attend workshops, seminars and read technical manuals and e-books. You could learn through online courses or a private tutor.

• Qualified computer technician
• Attend technical school
• Apprentice programs
• Books
• Attend workshops
• Seminars
• Technical manuals
• Ebooks
• Online courses
• Private tutor.
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Write a Business Plan

The first step is to write a computer consultancy business plan. Then conduct a survey and carry out a feasibility study of your locality.

Focus your business plan on target market, sales and marketing. You also need a competitive analysis report and project profit/loss.

Choose a Business Name

The business name is a reflection of your corporate identity. The name should be descriptive of your services.

You might need a trademark, good domain name that matches your business name and paid host plan. Establish your business by registering it with the corporate affairs commission.

Make the business a limited liability company or proprietorship. You need the services of a lawyer to file the documents.

Open a Bank Account

Make sure you run a separate bank account for your business. The account will be a vehicle for payment, remittance and deposits. Apply for a merchant account to process credit/debit card payments.

Funding the Computer Consultancy Business

Startup funding is relatively low and you can work within a budget. Funding is required for marketing, professional services such as an attorney and nominal expenses.

Nominal expenses include domain name registration, host plan and web building. Others are incorporation, taxes, printing, stationeries and trademark branding.

Ways to Reduce Startup Costs

There are a few ways to reduce startup costs. You should avoid coupon packs, use independent contractors or work from home.

Working from home eliminates rental costs or furniture. You only need basic equipment to run a home-based enterprise.

To reduce costs choose carefully where you wish to advertise your services. Use free classified websites and other free resources to spread the word. Another way to reduce overhead costs is networking with people in your industry.

How to Reduce Costs

• Avoid coupon packs
• Use independent contractors
• Work from home
• Purchase basic equipment
• Advertise wisely
• Use free classified websites
• Networking  

Computer Consultancy Services

There is a huge range of services to offer as a computer consultant. Some are installation, configuration, training, troubleshooting, and resell products. Income steams include remediation project, ground projects and annual service contracts.

Printing Business Ideas

Services

• Installation
• Configuration
• Training
• Troubleshooting
• Resell products
• Consultancy

Technology Based Initiatives

There are a few technology based initiatives that could drive your consultancy business. Use social media marketing, goggle calender, content management system, webinars, mobile broadband technology. More include Smartphone’s, internet connectivity, virtual phone provider system, CRM software.

• Social media marketing
• Goggle calender
• Content management system
• Webinars
• mobile broadband technology
• Smartphone’s
• Internet connectivity
• Virtual phone provider system
• CRM software.

How to Attract Patronage

Without steady patronage the business will fail.  To attract client’s use email marketing, videos and social media sites.

Popular social media sites to consider are Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. Use lead sharing groups, local chambers of commerce and associations. Attend seminars, do some public speaking, attend trade fairs and interviews.

• Use email marketing
• Videos
• Social media sites
• Lead sharing groups
• Local chambers of commerce
• Associations
• Attend seminars
• Do some public speaking
• Attend trade fairs
• Attend interviews.

Build a Website

Build a website for the business and offer your services to your target demography. Make sure you use a premium template and list your services.

Include 'about us page', contact information, testimonials and email address. The site should have your business address and a dedicated phone number.

Install an answering machine to receive calls when you are not available. A business email shows more professionalism than a regular email address.

Marketing

Your website is a powerful marketing tool. Drive traffic to your site through social media engagements and advertisements. Use Adwords, online directories, guest posting and email marketing to drive traffic and attract customers. Use traditional print such as flyers, billboards, signboard and complementary cards.