If you want to start your own computer repair business then read the article below to know all the details and make it a reality. The computers have become indispensable working tools for all individuals, small business and large corporations and cannot live without it.
A person using computer will only know how frustrating it will be if the computer does not work. You may be upset and paralyzed without using it and feel dull with no activities to do. Thus, it is essential for all users of computers to ensure that the computers function effectively.
Large corporations can afford to have an IT department to handle computer related issues. There is a need of IT personnel in small or start-up companies but they cannot afford to hire full time staff. In this case, the only option is to outsource the repairing service to external body who can be either and individual or a firm.
A business opportunity is created for anyone who wishes to start computer repair business. It is one of the best business ideas which can be started with little capital. The computer repair business can be started as a home business.
If the world could be a better place without your Boss and being a CompTIA A+ certificate holder(or may be not) is doing you no good and you are looking for something big, then something really big await you. A business that you already work for or not working but you surely acknowledge the potential of the field and looking to move the market of this humdrum yet full of Deals to Seal to make who you want to be.
Market Potential
A business that’s market is growing slowly but with a nonstop growth, which can be comprehended by the fact that:
Shipment in year: | Laptops(in millions) | PCs(in millions) |
2011 | 202 | 151.2 |
2015 | 164.4 | 111.8 |
2019 | 160 | 88 |
The given shipment chart over a decade shows a significant decline in the rate with which they are bought that owes to the fact that it help to growth in business, market still needs some repair itself.
Prominent Factors –
Computer Skill – To start a computer repair business, you must possess computer skill and have knowledge of both software and hardware. The different system configurations and specifications should be known to you. You must be able to demonstrate your computer skill to other especially the customer before they entrust their computer to you.
In case you do not have enough computer skill, you will be destroying or spoiling other people’s computer instead of repairing it. This will lead to damages and you be held responsible for the losses. If this happens in one or two case then you will be out of computer repair business. Hence before starting your business you should be perfect in starting your computer repair business.
Updating Knowledge regularly – On a regular basis, before starting your computer repair business you need to update your knowledge. If you cannot undertake training then you can take training on the internet from various sources. Internet is a rich source of information and you can find many websites providing computer related issues. Some of such websites are CNet.com and ZDNet.com.
Basic Certification – For the repair business you do not need any certificate but a basic certificate will add credit to you computer repair business in case you wish to deal with corporate client. If a client wants to fix the compute they will of course not ask for a certification. But to be considered for corporate works it is essential if you possess a basic certificate.
Good Customer Service – You should treat your customer very well in computer repair business as you will have to deal with customers with different temperament. Some customers may ask you to fix their computers immediately. You should talk to them in a polite manner as not to provoke them. They may sometimes be provoked since their system is not working and you should not add fuel to their injuries. A part of good customer care is prompt delivery of service.
Why Should you Start the Business?
Well, PCs and Laptops wear out with time and their rates are not in singles or doubles but an average laptop that belongs to a genuine brand and has all the features, drives GUIs GPUs that every average workman would require is around or more than $300 or your good handsome workplace’s big boy Macbook can go to $3000 you see everybody cannot afford to buy such expensive thing even $300 is big therefore owing to this they tend to repair there buddy now this repairing is what you gonna do for them.
Every company tend to provide a laptop to their employees and as the motto of each company stays same that is to “Earn a tank, spend a drop”, therefore they always look for you guys those are new certified and ready for orders.
The U.S. Bureau of labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 2.2% decline for computer repairmen, but a speedy employment growth of 11% for Laptop and PC support specialists from 2015 to 2026. Now s the need for PC technicians is will continuously grow in the coming decade this means there is growth for the business in for the time being, at least a growth of 5%. Now these here are really big numbers.
Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 80,000 computer repairmen, another fact that supports your idea to be the businessmen.
Steps Involved in Starting PC Repair Business are:-
Register your Business –
To prove the legality of your business it is essential to get it registered. Think of a name which has not been registered previously or else the name will not be approved. You should come up with two business names and submit the same of the sear cod availability with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Once the search is completed, one name gets confirmed for use.
This name should be used by you to as a Business name to complete the application form. If both the names are not approved then you will have to repeat the process unless the name of business is approved. You can also try business name generator in case you find difficulty in finding appropriate name.
It is the first step that one must follow to in order to start its own company in the country. That thing can be done at http://www.mca.gov.in steps are easy to follow for registration.
This thing is done in the form of various business structures. Some of them are:
- Limited Liability Partnership
- Partnership Firms
- Private Limited Company
- Sole Proprietorship
A new business must get formed into these legal organization or corporations. In accordance at least LLP is must, there are few advantages of a LLP:
- It is convenient for a new business man
- No minimum capital requirement
- DDT not applicable
- It’s best aspect is that it protects the member’s personal assets from the liabilities of the business
Each business structure has pros and cons.
Tax registration: Second step that one must follow is getting its Tax Registration done. Business that comes under the following criterion can register and get their GST Registration in India:
- If the turnover is INR 2,000,000
- If your business supplies goods intra state
- If you provide online service
Business related license: There are various permits and license that one must need to get but in the case of PC repair one must have NBFC Registration for non banking financial institution or fin tech companies.
Develop a Business Plan –
For your computer repair business you need to prepare a business plan and mention in detail the services you wish to offer in detail. You should also mention your target markets like individuals and small businesses that cannot afford to hire full time IT personnel. Your repair business should be restricted only to computer repair services.
Investments and Expenses –
When starting a business there are going to things that one must need certain tools and equipment and various things that you need to be invested in:
Furniture: INR 30,000
Workers: average salary of a worker that is certified and professional is around INR 30,000 and at least even a newbie in the war must have 2 soldiers therefore around INR 60,000/month.
Tools: there are various tools required by a computer technician and an average cost for them is around 20k-100k therefore look at tools and how much you can spend.
Office is surely something that you are gonna require and it’s rent various from time to time and average rent in New Delhi at Gaffar Market is around 50k well that is going to bolt out of blue.
Tools:
Protection Software | Anti spywares and antivirus is foremost that technician that require in order to protect itself and the client’s computer or laptop’s information that must and needed to be secured for the sake of the client and for you business name |
Manual Hand tools | Tools like screw driver, pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, punch down tools to terminate the wire end and many more that you are gonna need to deliver that is basic for every technician here and there. |
Various ESD tools | An electrostatic discharge can destroy a computer or laptop on which you are exhaustively working to repair it, this discharge not only can destroy the computer software but also it’s parts and various components sometimes those ones that cannot be replaced. Therefore such tools are an essential commodity to be working with for the computer and your sake. |
Diagnostic Tools | Now these come in very handy to test the circuitry these tools are also the sets that are very expensive and needed to be taken care of like an oscilloscope this tool comes for INR 10,000, this set also have a loopback adapter, and a toner probe. |
Services That Can be Offered –
Computer Repairs – Computer Repairing work is one of the main reasons of starting your business. You can start your on-site repairs or if you have a shop you can bring it there. But if someone is operating from home the on-site repairs will be suitable. You should always carry with you portable tools which can be used in client’s office.
Software support – Besides providing hardware, you should also be capable of providing with software support too. Software services include testing the compatibility of the operating system along with the software and the installation of such software.
Training – In the present age everyone wants to be computer literate. Training can be provided by you on how to use certain programs in computer. It will be an added benefit if you care specialized in training programs like Microsoft Office comprising Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. High fees can be charged if you are skilled in specialized software like accounting software.
Networking – Both small businesses and large corporation have their own Local Area Network (LAN) for efficiency and quick dissemination and sharing of information which can either be through cable of wireless.
Software Upgrade – There is always an update of Information Technology. The software manufacturers are coming up with new updates on regular basis. By having knowledge of the upgraded software, will help you in providing steady revenue for your computer repair business from clients.
Anti-Virus – Every computer user fear of virus attacks. No computer user will have his computer to be attacked or infected by virus. There is thus a high demand of anti-virus software. Clients can be provided with both the installation and updating of anti-virus on their systems.
Backups – Your anti-virus may be powerful but the computers may still suffer attack. Besides this, there are other things like natural disasters which can make system to crash. It is good to provide backup service.
Hardware Supplies – Since you will be in computer repair business there may be many instances where people will consult you to supply them computers. They believe and trust you as you would be aware of the correct specifications and configurations. You can purchase computers at a good price and sell it to them keeping your profit margins.
Hire Staff –
Now this aspect here is the real deal, how can a business man sell broken goods and expects to be in demand forever. Now the good that you are going to sell is your worker’s talent and their experience which is why to be in demand and be in the market you must have worker that Gems and workers that going to take you to your future penthouse in LA.
Even someone who is willing to give you something that stores his future to be delivered tomorrow 08:00 in the morning he wants you to be certified and your workers to experience or he is doomed to be.
You must be thinking how to know which worker is good in which is not?
Choose the workers those have certificates like COMPTIA A+ (now this certificate here is simply the best for a worker to have if he is good grade then never let that buddy go), ACMT(Apple), CCT(CISCO), and various ones that are good and demanded in the market
Look those who have experience cause getting a certified lad are a good deal but when it comes to some issue that only the daddy can solve that is where you call him. 8 out of 10 experience wins by a big margin and such gap cannot be filled by just degrees. You must look those who have worked for big firms or even for a shop that is well renowned and well established where experience is bought as if free lunch.
Look at the web and all as nowadays there are various websites where dozen of highly certified and experienced look for jobs and stuff at very cheap or negotiable rates (that can be talked about) for example Indeed or SimplyHired etc.
At last let be in mind that you must pay your workers and employees well that is well in your limit and for they to be your guys that do it all. “Annual Salary Survey” 2018 by Certification Magazine shows that average salary for a COMPTIA A+ credential is $97,730 in USA.
THE PLAN:
As you have collected all the data, all the stats that give you your way ahead you now just need a motor starter that finely tunes your business to the motion
“A business failing to plan, is a business planning to fail”
One in the absolute endeavor to reach the sky should never startle and never settle. While the later can be situation based and relative to the man but the earlier one must be dealt with the motion will occur to you every step here and there. So a plan is what you are going to make.
Office: A comfortable office is now what you want where you can work, and deal with the clients therefore it is necessary
At Home: if you are comfortable enough and you and have a low investment and cannot afford to rent a steamy place that is posh area or near somewhere where you must dwell in debts there this can an option. Just remember that it should be enough for the customers to return to you for second time.
Rent a place: Well to rent a place at a market that is busy and can attract customers for your store but still remain in your budget is surely a good idea. Look around your area and do some research were you can set the store may in the city or somewhere near. Just remember that:
- The store must be in a place that is ready for customers, “well you cannot set the store in desert and wait for the masses to deal with”
- Your office should easily reachable with that I mean not in the heavens nor in the hell ,you see good market place is not job done but half done. Therefore even in a market place your office must be able to reach, with I mean the customers should be able to see you and your office
- Your office must have multiple rooms as front desk to handle the problems that can instantly resolved, inner room or rooms where the technicians will be working that room must have AC as the part may get damage due to heat of closed room with solders and stuffs, atleast a toilet as do not your worker to litter and pee in the street
Insurance:
If you are a newly formed business man and a former technician itself then I highly doubt on your capability with the ways of the suits and may the lord help you if you have no insurance.
When getting beaten by the lawsuits the insurance is going to come in handy and so need to do some research about some insurance policy like Cyber liability insurance, General liability Insurance which every random business man purchases in case of issues like third party damage, product liability, copyright infringement etc.
Marketing Your Business –
You may be skilled in your computer repair business but no one will come and knock your door to give computers for repair. It need good amount of marketing. In computer repair business this is the most challenging job especially if you wish to start from your home. Get flyer printed and distribute them in your locality.
You can also visit small business establishment around your area. Gaining your first client may be difficult but not impossible. It is of course challenging to grow up to the level of growing recurring income. It is better to start computer business as a side business and after establishing it fully, you can focus completely on it.
You can open your computer repair business near to the shop where they sell computers. You can also open in a place where there is good concentration of small businesses.
Well a plan without marketing and marketing without a plan is futile either way.
If everything is at it’s correct place and still the boy with profit do not open the door it means he is not known of you. When it comes to their laptops every firm or customer look for good shops that are trustable and reliable, the thing that is cheap still can be neglected but not the quality of the your workers and trust that you provide that is why marketing of your business is what the last piece in the board.
- Go to firm in person show your capability and ask if they are interested and do remember to give your business card
- Attend seminars where you get make connections that valuable
- Take help of social media
- Offer prices at reasonable rates and some free maintenance that can be afforded
Business Strengths –
Good Practical Experience – Skills and experience is need in computer repair business. Theoretical knowledge is not only sufficient. Without practical experience you cannot claim to be skilled in computer repair. You need to learn the skills before you start computer repair business. You can either work with any established computer repair company and learn the work or sign in as a learner. In both the options, you will improve your skills and knowledge. Never try to rush into computer repair business without prior skills or else you will land into trouble by spoiling the client’s computer. You may be fined and spoil your reputation.
Good Reputation – Trust and reputation is of wide importance in this business. This will give you strength among your competitors. Strength in the way that you will be able to gain good will of corporate clients easily than one who does not have any certification.
High Quality service – Since you are in this business, your service should go beyond fixing computers for your clients. The best quality service delivered by you will go a long way in boosting your business. The positive feedback from customers will go a long way in determining your quality service to clients.
Variety of services – If a computer repair company offers variety of service then it will out-perform other which provides only single line of service. You can get a wide client base by pick up of computer; drop off, on-site services and hardware support. This way you can increase the number of clients in the long period.
Customer loyalty – The reward of high quality service is customer loyalty. Customer retention rate is a good indication of the fact that they are enjoying your business. If customer comes back to you then it means you have satisfied them. It is cheaper to retain the existing customer rather to run after new customers which mean you do not have to spend more on marketing. The savings on marketing will give a positive effect on your business.
Access to computer parts and accessories – You can easily resolve your customers problem if your repair business is located near to a place where you can access to components easily and cheaply. This will avoid your travelling to far place to procure a components and this will help you save costs of travel.
Alliance with used computer vendors – People selling used computers well know that many of these do not work. Hence, the service of people who are good at computer repair is necessary to fix it before it is available for sale. In case your shop is near to the computer vendor then you can always secure your business. You can negotiate your price so as to make a gain on their inventories.
Business Weaknesses –
Some of the points mentioned above may turn out to be your weakness. In case you find that you are weak in any area you can work on them quickly. One major weakness in repair business is when you work from home. Working from home saves you cost as you need not have to pay additional office rent. The nature of your work may need you to constantly go out to find good business opportunity. The amount you spend on transportation and cost of taking the computers to and fro from your clients office may incur you lot of money. This can amount to huge amount at the end of the day. Corporate organizations will prefer to work with computer repair companies having official address placed in the same area.
Opportunities –
Recessionary Economy – Recession has a lot to do with this business. You may be wondering what it has to do with recession. People cannot afford to buy new things including computers during the recession period. People spend mainly on basic need during this period. They will prefer to maintain or repair their existing computers since they cannot afford to buy new ones. Thus this business is ideal small business which are recession proof.
Increasing number of computer users – The number of people using computer daily is increasing in India and abroad. Any computer literate will dream to possess a computer for them. The more the number of computer users the more the need for computer repair.
New software and Computer Components – The computer manufactures make use of new software and new computer components and hence there is constant need for computer up gradation. Hence there is need of computer repair services.
Computer viruses- The computer is exposed to dangers with the use of flash drivers, memory cards which transfer data from one computer to another. During the process on the internet computers are exposed to dangers. Sometimes the computer needs to be reformatted. At this time a computer repair business will be booming. Even if you have installed an anti-virus software in your computer there is no guarantee that the computer sill not be affected by a virus. Every day new viruses are being released. If your system does not have a strong anti-virus to fight the virus, then the system may get damaged.
New markets – Today this business is not limited to desktop only as there is a market for laptops, smartphone and Androids. The market has now expanded a lot. A single person or company alone cannot capture or dominate the market. Hence new entrants can enter and there are ample amount of opportunities without a threat to the existing computer repair businesses.
New Technology – Computers these days do not come with operating system. Hence, the customer who has purchased the computer will need the service of a computer repair company to help install various software’s and carry out the initial configurations.
Threats To This Business –
Do it yourself tendency – Internet provides all information freely to users and they can learn to troubleshoot and fix minor issues on their systems without the help of computer Repair Company. This may at such time cut the revenue potential of computer repair business.
What are you waiting for, if you have knowledge of computer repair service and confident about your work then grab the opportunity and start your new business.