How to set up a Computer Repair Business from Home

If you’ve got the right skills in IT and a little bit of experience, then starting your own computer repair business is more than possible. You don’t even need any special qualifications or licenses – just the proven track record that your customers will be looking for. Early on in the process, it’s worth asking yourself a few key questions.

Who are your Customers?

Given that every modern business, large and small, will rely to some extent on computers, you’ve got a sizable market waiting to be explored. Similarly, there is scarcely a home in the country that doesn’t contain a computer of some sort. Your task, to begin with, should be determining who your target market is going to be. If you have the experience, equipment, or a particular passion that suits you to a certain niche, then so much the better.

What are your rates?

One thing that new businesses often struggle with is setting a rate that treads the right line between profitability and competitiveness. Whatever your rate, it’s important that you work it out ahead of time. Do your research, determine the value of the service you’re offering, and price everything accordingly. Whilst it might be tempting to keep your rates low when you first get started, this approach will often make it difficult to hike up your prices further down the line.

Form a Marketing Strategy

Certain sorts of business can be forgiven for not maintaining a presence on social media, and exploiting other digital marketing avenues. But if your business is based around computers, a lack of online presence will create the wrong impression.

On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t neglect more traditional marketing avenues. Having a physical business card or flyer on hand will make it that much more likely that a customer will give you a call when the computer system begins to fail. 

Getting the Right Tools

If you’re focussed on software, then the right tools might just mean your technical expertise and the computer you’re fixing. But even if you’re taking this approach, you’ll still need to keep a few key items handy. A selection of fine cross-head screwdrivers will help you to disassemble laptops and phone cases, while high-quality soldering irons and multimers will help you to diagnose and deal with hardware faults. Having common semiconductors, capacitors and other components to hand might also be beneficial.

Organizing Your Workspace

Working from home can be difficult if your workspace isn’t kept sufficiently clear and organized. You want to feel as though you’re in a space for work rather than leisure, even if you’re sitting just a few feet from your living room. This balance is more difficult to strike if you don’t have a room dedicated to your work – but even if you’re starting in an alcove just below the stairs, it’s easy to get things cleared up with the help of the right storage solutions.