5 Red Flags to Look Out for When Choosing an IT Outsourcing Service for Your Small Business

As a small business owner, you have plenty on your plate. However, letting go of your IT responsibilities to an outsourced service can be the smartest decision you make all year. It is crucial to select the right IT professionals to create and maintain systems that give you a competitive advantage and help you reach your goals faster. With so many IT outsourcing service companies out there, how do you choose the right one? Is it enough to partner with any firm that matches your budget needs?

Here are five red flags to look out for when hiring an IT outsourcing service for your small business.

5 Things You Need to Look Out for When Choosing an IT Outsourcing Service

Lack of Clear Goals

Good IT outsourcers need to know what they strive for. They need to communicate how you will benefit from their service and how they'll measure success. If there isn't a clear goal, then don't use them. 

Your goals should also align with the outsourcing company you seek to hire. Clear expectations on both sides help prevent disappointments or misunderstandings later. As long as both parties understand where they stand, you can move forward in confidence knowing that everyone has bought into the deal equally.

Missing Deadlines

Time is money and your business has deadlines to meet. Late work could negatively impact your company and lead to late payment from your clients. Since technology serves to improve operations, your outsourcing provider should not make you wait for long periods before offering solutions to your problems. 

When choosing an IT outsourcing service, don't just look at missed deadlines over a single project. Instead, track how often the company has missed deadlines on several projects before deciding if it's something you can live with. Also, check with previous clients. If there are numerous complaints about target times, chances are you might also experience similar problems. 

Unclear Pricing Models

A good plan takes a while to develop, but if you can't get clear answers to something like cost breakdowns, be wary. Reliable IT companies won't mind sharing information about their costs. In fact, they can help you understand what your business needs to save you from overpaying now and in the future. You also need to ascertain that you are getting a fair price for your deal. Though it may be enticing, don't jump at a price that seems too good to be true. 

As with most things in life, there are usually a few strings attached when it comes to paying below market value. Before agreeing on any outsourcing service contract, compare apples to apples by evaluating things, such as the number of employees, professional qualifications, and hours of service use per month. 

Communication Issues

Every time you don't get a timely response from your provider, money goes out of your pocket. If they're not responsive during negotiations and contract discussions, it's likely they won't be responsive during a crisis. 

While it may be hard to find an outsourcing service that guarantees 100% uptime, there are some things you can probe. For instance, 24/7 toll-free support. The firm should be able to answer calls when you need assistance during emergencies without delay. You may also want to look into how quickly their staff responds to online reviews. 

Absence of a Verified Portfolio

A big part of a successful job is ensuring you choose a service with experience in your specific industry and area. To be sure you are settling for the best company, check out their portfolio. If it's disorganized or unverified, proceed with caution. 

Service providers that lack verified portfolios could be new or inexperienced at working with companies like yours. You don't want the stress of failing to complete your projects on time due to someone else's shortcomings. 



Unlock Your Potential: Partner with a Reliable Digital Marketing Service Today

You probably have a lot of things you need to take your business to the next level. With so much to do in a limited timeframe, don't be bogged down by hiring an unreliable IT outsourcing service provider. 

At Digital Edge Marketing Agency, we can help you focus on what matters most to grow your business – digital marketing. From web design to SEO and social media management, we have the skills, experience, and manpower you need to gain a competitive advantage. Contact us today to get a custom plan for your business.