How to Start a Computer Consulting Business

How To Start A Computer Consulting Business - Background Info:

The need for computer consulting business people comes from, as you could probably guess, the proliferation of computer use. This is the twenty first century, and it's becoming harder and harder to find a job that doesn't require some degree of computer use.

There are literally thousands of companies throughout the U.S. willing to employ computer consulting business owners to avoid having to let longtime employees go for a new kid who grew up with a PC in his home.

There are people who are just now buying their first computer and need to call someone for some beginner's advice.

We're at a pivotal point in the history of technology and there's a lot of demand for people who know how to handle all this newfangled junk.
A computer consulting business isn't for everyone, but if you have the requisite knowledge and the requisite passion, the market is growing more quickly every day.

The computer consulting business is a somewhat competitive market, with each expert wanting to upstage the next and snag the good contracts, but it's also a booming market with a lot of room for new people, and it's just getting bigger.

Even if you're already a computer whiz, at least a few of the people calling your computer consulting business are going to be running operating systems or computers that you are unfamiliar with.

Also, even if you already think you know everything there is to know, someone may call your computer consulting business asking questions about a Commodore 64 or some other antiquated piece of hardware or software.

Starting a computer consulting business, it's important to have a real passion for everything related to personal computers, Macintosh home computers, even things like iPods and cell phones.

Of course, this is just for one computer consulting business plan: telephone consultancy. There are dozens of established ways of turning your computer knowledge into a full fledged computer consulting business.

A popular method is to offer the services of your computer consulting business to various companies in your area. Plenty of companies are looking for computer consulting businesses they can keep on call for when a problem arises, but you can also offer workshops and courses to teach employees how to operate the software and hardware.

When you first start out, most fledgling computer consulting business workers will charge a flat fee for their services, and when you start building up a name for yourself, you can charge by the hour or, if you're offering your services to certain companies, even draw a monthly salary (even from several companies at once).

How To Start A Computer Consulting Business - Tasks And Skills Needed:

Business Specific Tasks:

If you are planning to do all the business tasks or hiring or subcontracting tasks, here's a list of tasks that need to be attended to when it comes to the business side of running a computer consulting business:

Bookkeeping/recordkeeping

Advertising/marketing

Appointment-setting

Industry Specific Tasks:

Same as above if you plan to do everything yourself or get help, here are some of the tasks necessary to operate a computer consulting business:

Counseling business owners and others about what they need in the computer industry

Keeping up with computer innovations, new gadgets, and communication techniques

Implementation of strategies at places of clients' businesses or your office

How To Start A Computer Consulting Business - Approximate Daily Hours Needed:

General Hours of Operation: - When your business is open - Generally speaking, computer consultants work 9-5 and sometimes evening and weekend hours.

Hours Needed to Prepare - Before Opening and After Hours Activities - Assess the needs of each client and explore options and costs, return phone calls and inquiries, calculate time spent with each client and log for billing.

Number of Employees Needed To Run A Computer Consulting Business:

Minimum Number of Employees -During the Start Up Phase: You can start this business yourself on a full-time basis.

Number of Employees - Once Your Business is Up and Running Successfully:

Website maintenance

Record/Bookkeeping

General office

Customer Service

Network specialist

Computer repair

Software/hardware instructions for use/on-call maintenance

Skill Requirements for This Business:

It's a good idea for your computer consulting business if you subscribe to tech magazines and download plenty of trial versions of new software in order to stay on top of new developments. As we all know, there's a new model of everything coming out all the time, and you don't want your computer consulting business to be left behind.

Patience is a plus as well as getting along well and professionally with different types of people at different levels of knowledge.

Flexibility with time is important. Many clients may want to meet after business hours or on weekends.

Good organizational skills and attention to detail are a must

Computer Consulting Business Licenses:

You will need a standard business license and any other permits or licensing required if operating out of your home.

Licensing or certification in different areas of the computer industry is desirable but not necessary. What matters is what you know and how to find good remedies for computing and communication issues.

Approximate Minimum Start up Cost:

Bare essential: - The average startup cost is $500-3,000.

Minimal exposure - A good way to get your computer consulting business's name out there as an is to write articles for magazines and newsletters. If you're playing to local businesses, see if the local newspaper could use a weekly computer editorial or question and answer section.

This kind of thing is, to be blunt, pretty much just a great way to show off. If you can become a sort of local celebrity as your city's resident computer genius, you're on the right track.

Necessary Equipment to Run Computer Consulting Business:

Necessary Start-Up Equipment & Supplies:

Computer

Printer

Cell phone

Website

Scheduling software

Time-tracking software for each client

Bookkeeping software

Supplementary Equipment: - Equipment or helpful products that you can acquire to once your business is off and running:

Office space and furniture

Audio/visual equipment and/or software for giving presentations

Presentation software (slides, short videos, etc.)

Monthly Expenses To Consider:

Wages
Phone/cell phone
Internet access
Permits
Advertising/Marketing
Electricity
Water

Special Requirements and Considerations For A Computer Consulting Business:

Find out all you can about the trends in the industry. Know your competition, in particular, their strengths and weaknesses. This will help you identify your competitive advantage. In other words, this will help you figure out what you can give your customers that they're not getting from the other businesses. And keep from emulating the competition's strategy. Instead, make the most of your own advantage points.
The success of this business depends on the quality of service, not the quantity of clients. Concentrate on spending excellent time with each client and word will soon spread. Be available to answer questions and stop in if requested.
You can shine above your competition by being extremely thorough in explanations, supplying current information, and making each client feel as though they are your only one.
It's important to become a member of networking groups in your area that highlight small businesses.

Pros And Cons of Opening A Computer Consulting Business:

The Pros of Running a Computer Consulting Business:

Perfect business for someone who likes helping people with computer solutions

Hours can be your own

It is easily expandable

Is not affected by the economic climate as much as other businesses

The Cons of Running a Computer Consulting Business:

Can be highly competitive, depending on your area

It can mean traveling in inclement weather

Vacations can be hard to get unless you have employees to cover

It can be hard to stick with only certain hours of working with clients unless you specify 24/7 assistance

Type of Customers You Need to Attract For A Computer Consulting Business:

The majority of your first customers will be small business owners because they have the fewest on-hand resources versus large companies that either have in-house computer and communications personnel on staff or have an established relationship with another computer consulting firm.

Clients include large and small companies in the private sector; Federal, State, and local government agencies; institutions, such as hospitals, universities, unions, and nonprofit organizations; and foreign governments or businesses.

Computer Consulting Business Statistics:

Usually, one of the resources that consulting firms provide to clients is expertise—in the form of knowledge, experience, special skills, or creativity; another resource is time or personnel that the client cannot spare.

Valuation Resources includes all current industry statistics and trends in the computer consulting business which remains stable and continues to grow despite economic conditions.

You can also get market research, industry analysis, corporate profiles, and decision makers in one resource. With Plunkett's Consulting Industry data you get the competitive intelligence you need to fully understand business trends, technologies, markets, finances and the leading companies. And, you can export mailing lists of companies and executives.

Computer Consulting Business Revenue:

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services is one of the highest paying industries. Nonsupervisory wage and salary workers in the industry averaged $913 a week in 2008, compared with $608 for workers throughout private industry.

Computer Consulting Business Resources:

Industry-Specific Websites:

Computer Business Consultants

Courses:

How to Start a Consulting Business

How To Start A Computer Consulting Business

Start Your Own Computer Consulting Business

Forums:

ICCA.org

Associations:

National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses (NACCB)

Independent Computer Consultants Association

Books:

Instant Computer Consultant

Getting Started in Computer Consulting [Paperback]

The Computer Consultant's Guide: Real-Life Strategies for Building a Successful Consulting Career [Hardcover]

Businesses To Related to a Computer Consulting Business:

Computer repair
Network provider
Financial consulting
Business planning and management
Computer supplies and sales