Switching to a new IT Company? 5 things to look for
When you’re in need of an IT company, it’s important to do your research. Not all companies are created equal, and some may not be the best fit for your specific needs. Here are five things to look for when selecting an IT company:
Choosing the best IT firm may be a difficult task. There are several criteria to consider, and it’s critical to ensure you pick the ideal business.
1. Experience in your industry
When looking for an IT provider, it’s important to make sure that they have experience in the specific type of work you need to be done. This is important because you want to be sure that the company you select has the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right. So, before making a decision, be sure to ask the company about their experience in your specific field.
Some questions to ask in this regard are:
- Does the company have experience in my industry?
- Do they understand my industry and the laws and regulations that govern it?
- How many employees does the company have in our region?
2. Reputation
Reputation is another important factor to consider when selecting an IT company. Make sure the company has a good reputation and that it has a history of delivering quality work. To learn more about a company’s reputation, check out online reviews and other references from past clients. Please note: Make sure their reviews can’t be altered by the client. Use a source like Google Reviews to make sure there can’t be any alterations to the review.
To check a company’s Google Reviews, simply go to Google and type in the company’s name. This should show you their Google Business listing. Look for the heading Reviews and underneath that will be a list of reviews that have been left by past clients. Be sure to read through these reviews to get a sense of the company’s reputation. If you see a lot of negative reviews, it may be best to look for another option.
However, if you see mostly positive reviews, then you can feel confident that you’re selecting a good company.
3. Portfolio
Take a look at the company’s portfolio to see examples of their work. When you take a look through the company’s portfolio, make sure they have experience in the specific type of work you need to be done. For example, if you need help moving your business to the cloud, make sure they have experience setting up similar cloud computing environments for other companies.
You should be able to find a company’s portfolio on their website. If you’re having trouble finding their portfolio, just ask them. They should be able to provide you with examples of past projects they’ve previously worked on. This should give you a sense of their capabilities and experience.
If you find a perfect match on their portfolio then that’s great! Very rare, but great! Instead, look for similarities instead of exact matches and make sure you are satisfied with the work they have provided. Combine this with their shared values, and reputation and you should start to paint a picture of the type of company they are.
Remember: Technology is important. But’s what’s more important is if they know how to use technology to help a business reach its goals.
4. Shared Values with your IT Company
When it comes to choosing an IT provider, it’s important to select one that shares your values. For example, if you’re a company that is environmentally friendly and sustainable, make sure the IT company you select has those same values. Another important factor to consider is the company’s culture. Do you feel like the IT company will be a good fit for your team?
It’s important to take the time to ask the right questions so you can be sure that the IT company you select is a good fit for both your needs and your values.
A good gauge of their values, other than looking at their values, is to see what they write about on their company blog. The style and content of the posts should match the type of company you’re looking for.
It’s also important to see what they say on their social media outlets. Use their posts to gauge the company’s values and culture. For example, if you see a lot of posts about the company culture, it’s likely that the company is proud of its culture and it will be a good fit for your team.
However, if you see a lot of negative posts, it may be best to look for another option.
5. Size of your IT Company
When it comes to selecting an IT service provider, size is an important factor to consider.
Not all IT companies are created equal, and some may be too large or too small for your specific needs. So, before making a decision, be sure to ask the company about their size and how they might be able to accommodate your specific needs.
Some things you’ll want to ask include:
- How many employees does the company have?
- Do they have experience working with businesses of my size?
- Can they provide me with references from past clients of a similar size?
Size is an important factor to consider when selecting an IT company. Too big and you’re just a number. Too small and they can’t service you or can scale up.
Conclusion
Selecting an IT company to help you with your business can be a daunting task. There are many things to consider and it’s important that you make sure the company has experience in the type of work you need to be done, as well as a good reputation.
When looking through their portfolio of past work, make sure they have experience in the specific industry or field that you’re interested in working with them on. It is also very important that both parties share similar values when deciding which IT company will best suit your needs and wants for the future.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the company is the right size for your specific needs. The five factors we’ve discussed should allow small businesses like yours to find what may be just right for them!
About the author
Yener is the founder and Managing Director of Intuitive IT. Prior to running his own business Yener worked for a number of corporate organisations where he gained invaluable experience and skills, as well as an understanding of how IT can complement and improve business outcomes.