Are you looking for the most essential IT support services for your startup? At TechRound, we’ve narrowed down which services you should consider most when starting out in business to ensure your company’s success. Without a secure IT system, many startups fail to reach the heights of large corporations.
Also, small businesses are more likely to fall victim to cyber-attacks due to their lack of preventative measures, so staying safe online is not something to overlook. Take a look at our recommended IT support services below to ensure you are properly set up and covered in all areas.
How Do IT Support Services For Startups Work?
IT support services assist individuals or companies with anything IT-related. Generally, IT support tends to be outsourced by businesses, particularly small organisations and startups, when a problem arises. Yet IT support can also help prevent issues before they become a real problem.
For example, IT support companies may often provide assistance with installation, configuring equipment, and restoring any lost files. There are a number of things to consider when it comes to IT support which can often be tricky to navigate. Below are TechRound’s recommendations for things to remember as a startup in any industry.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is aimed to prevent cyber-attacks with a number of protective layers. Cybersecurity will typically include various tools such as machine learning, AI solutions, encrypted data, and multi-factor authentication to ensure it is difficult for cybercriminals to gain control of your IT system. With cybersecurity software, it is likely there will be an integrated set of technologies to identify potential risks before they reach your system. Cybersecurity is, therefore, a non-negotiable when it comes to IT support for startups as you do not want to risk preventable attacks.
Business Applications
In order to properly manage your accounts, details, and inventory, you will need the right tools in place. Managed business applications such as Microsoft 365 can provide you with all the software you need to organise, market, and protect your startup business while keeping everything under one roof. Alternatively, there are numerous business apps out there to help small businesses in particular, so it is certainly worth looking into them.
Web Design
Having an online presence is crucial in the modern world of digitisation and websites in particular can hugely help a startup to grow and develop. Often as the first point of contact for customers, it is vital that your website reflects the type of business you are and the products or services you offer.
Many small businesses or startups may avoid building a website due to the time and money it can cost. But there are various free website hosting platforms which make it easy for organisations to get set up. It is also a good idea to make your website as SEO-friendly as possible in order to come up as high in the search engines as possible. Web design is not something to forget about, that’s for sure.
Data Backup and Recovery
One of the worst IT-related things that can happen to a startup is losing important files, either due to hacking or a lack of organisation. It is therefore important to ensure data is continuously backed up should the worst happen. Backing up data is usually straightforward and should not impact your work. The most popular type of data backup at the moment is cloud-based software as this makes it easy to restore and recover any lost information.
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Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a type of technology used to manage interactions between businesses and customers. A CRM might seem unnecessary when starting out in business, but it can generally help to streamline processes and ultimately increase sales and improve customer satisfaction, making it well worth your time.
A popular example of an effective CRM for startups is SharePoint by Outlook. SharePoint syncs your accounts and contacts in one place and can help manage communications and sales alike.
Need a CRM For Your Startup?
IT Support
As a startup, it can be reassuring to know you are covered in all eventualities. This is where IT support companies come in. IT support packages can provide round-the-clock technical support including audits, server support, and managed set-up, leaving you to focus on your business without concern. Opting for a reliable IT support company can make all the difference to your work and systems, so be sure to do your research and choose a company that meets all your needs and requirements.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a platform that provides access to computing resources across the internet. With the world shifting towards internet-based communications, it makes sense to have your computing services operating over the internet as well. As long as you have a stable internet connection, you’ll be able to access your files, documents, and connections from any device, making remote working even more feasible for startup companies.
Antivirus Software
Along with cybersecurity, antivirus software is designed to detect and remove viruses and other malicious software from your computer or laptop. Failing to set up antivirus software protection could result in your hardware becoming infected within minutes of connecting to the internet.
There are several different types of antivirus software but all will perform essential functions such as removing malicious code, scanning files, and showing you the ‘health’ of your computer which can be vital for UK businesses.
Web Hosting and Domain Management
Along with a well-designed website, startups should also look into domain and hosting management services where you pay an annual fee to a company to ensure your site is up and running at all times. Web hosting and domain management will ensure your domain is renewed on time to avoid any unexpected changes, as well as your Domain Name System (DNS) being managed by experts. Startups cannot afford any problems related to their website so opting for a web hosting and domain manager could be the key to avoiding such issues.
Hardware Support
Getting the right equipment for your system is always a challenging task. With so many options available, it can be tricky to narrow down your hardware purchases alongside other startup commitments such as marketing, branding, inventory, and accounting.
It could therefore be a good idea to look into hardware supply and support services whereby a trusted provider can help advise you on your equipment in line with your budget and business as a whole. Plus, many service providers will also manage any installation, making it a hassle-free task for startup business owners to deal with.
