When you open a small business, especially a storefront where you’re interacting face-to-face with your customers, you quickly discover what can seem like an overwhelming number of tasks to complete. The to-do list goes on and on, but in today's world, one of the most important tasks is setting up your small business IT services. These include everything from small business software to your Internet and phone service. Here's what you need to do to get started.
Choose the right Internet and phone service
Your Internet and phone service is the backbone of your business infrastructure. Customers need to be able to reach you on the phone, and you need the Internet to run your business, complete transactions, and communicate with everyone from clients to vendors to employees effectively. Internet and phone play a role in nearly every aspect, from the background music streamed over the speakers to tamper-proof credit card transactions. Equip your business with a strong, secure, and password-protected WiFi — especially if you plan to provide your customers with free WiFi access in your store.
Choose the software that fits your business goals
Your small business will rely on a lot of different software as it grows and expands. Choosing the right programs — and managing them effectively — is vital. The last thing you want to do is hinder your growth because you don't have access to a particular program or because the license for an application lapsed. One of the easiest ways to manage the various software you need, whether it’s an email application or a document-signing program, is through Comcast Cloud Solutions. It offers easy access to a number of small business software applications. From the dashboard, you can keep track of your licenses, try out free trials, and purchase new software.
Find reliable technical support
No matter how skilled you are with computers, there will always be some problems that you don't know how to handle. Even if you do know how to troubleshoot, you may not have time to do so — and in the middle of a busy work day, you don't want to spend your time fielding questions from employees about why something isn't working. Finding a small business IT support company can take that burden from your shoulders and allow you to focus on running the business as a whole.
The best IT companies can provide remote support, so they don’t need to come to your storefront to solve the problems that arise. Remote support allows them to use programs like TeamViewer to access your system from their office and resolve any software problems from there.
Set up a private server
Your business will generate a lot of customer data and sensitive business information that you’ll need to keep safe and secure, while providing easy access for your employees. Investing in a closed server (and backup program) will let you do just that. You’ll need to decide whether you want a physical server to store your data or a cloud-based system. The obvious benefit of a cloud-based server is that it lives on the Internet — no storage closets needed. Carbonite Pro, a cloud-based program offered by Comcast Business, offers secure data storage and automatic and continuous backups.
Small business IT services can seem complicated and overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. Start small. Focus on your phone and Internet service first and move on to the more complex steps from there. Choose a service provider that can help you customize your plan with secure and reliable connections that can grow as fast as your business does. See how Comcast Business can help with your small business technology needs.
