Business.com
Sponsored by: Avaya advertisement

U.S. Computer Repair Services

National providers of computer repair services.
Onsite Computer Repair and Network Support - eZigma
Affordable IT Outsourcing for Small and Mid Sized Businesses. From On-Demand to Monthly Support Contracts. Call us today for a Free Consultation.
wWw.eZiGmA.cOm
Make It Work® (red Minis)
Residential technology services. 25,000+ already served.
www.makeitwork.com
LA's #1 Computer Support
Microsoft Gold Partner. We help Los Angeles companies. Free Audit.
www.csgsupport.net
LA Computer Maintenance
Don't Worry About A Broken PC. Call Us For A Computer Service Plan.
www.ThatITguy.net
Computer Repair |Business
Emergency Same Day Service On-Site. Guaranteed fix. Schedule Today...
www.E-Geniuses.com
Laptop Repair Los Angeles
5217 Wilshire Blvd - 323-933-4400 We Service All Types.
www.SpeedyTech.com
Pro Computer Center
Data Recovery Specialist Since 1985 Sales, Service, Rental
www.procomputercenter.com
Monrovia Computer Repair
Your PC Acting Up? Call Us For Computer Service And Repair.
www.JzComputerRepair.com
Computer Repair Services
Official Site - Fast & Easy repair Nationwide. Learn More Online.
www.GeekSquad.com
Laptop Repair Service
All Repair Labor $149 or Less! Fast, Easy, Mail-in Repair.
www.LaptopRescue.com
Computer Repair
We Specialize In On-Site Computer And Network Repairs. Orange County.
www.TechTrekkersOC.com
Computer IT Services
Hardware and Software Issues for Residental and Small Business
langlietechservice.com

Guide to Starting a Computer Repair Business

Bootstrap your way into the fast-growing computer services and computer repair business


Everybody's got one, even your grandma. And they all break down from time to time, usually from lack of basic maintenance. Cars? Nope, computers. And unlike 2,000 lb. hunks of Detroit and Tokyo steel, the get-in cost of a computer repair business can be pretty low.

If you've ever installed your own operating system, defragged a drive or popped extra memory into your own desktop, you could be a couple of night classes away from rewarding career in computer repair or computer services. It takes only some basic mechanical chops, the right tools and a willingness to learn new things to start a computer repair business.

In this guide, you'll learn:

1. How to learn computer repair yourself
2. What kinds of jobs lead to computer repair know-how
3. Why to consider computer repair service certifications
4. Possible franchises for computer repair services

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn computer repair: the self-taught method One great way to figure out if you have the patience for computer repair is to build one from parts. Downside: It'll cost you a bit and take up your evenings for a few months. Upside: If you figure it out, you get a computer for cheap and a real sense of how they work.

I recommend:  There's a couple of sites dedicated to computer repair as a hobby (and selling components), like PC Mechanic, My Super PC, the Wikibooks entry on PC construction, and HowStuffWorks.

Learn the computer repair business on Geek Squad's dime A short-sleeved white shirt and Volkswagen Beetle might not be your look, but a year or two on the job at a computer repair company like Geek Squad might be your ticket to doing your own thing later.

I recommend:  Check out the requirements for becoming a Geek Squad agent and apply. An alternative would be a year or two in tech support for a corporation or bank. Find opportunities at technology job board Dice.com.

Get certified in the computer repair business and computer services There tons of schools, online and at local colleges, offering certificate degrees in computer repair and computer services, a sign of the demand for the computer repair business. Whichever you choose, you will likely be best off taking a certification test to prove your abilities as a computer repair business owner.

I recommend:  CompTIA is a computer repair industry group that conducts training and tests in all manner of computer repair subjects, hardware, software, networking and the like. Microsoft offers its Microsoft Certified Professional tests, which are pretty tough but often required of some customers. Consider computer repair coursework first from ExpressCert and Training Camp. Good guide sites on certifications and the computer repair business are Technibble and the About.com entry on certifications.

Consider starting up with a computer repair business franchise If you think you know the basics of the actual machinery but feel slightly dizzy at the thought of starting any kind of business, take heart. There are franchise opportunities -- turnkey computer repair business plans in predefined markets.

I recommend:  Some computer repair business franchises include Fast-teks, Lucky Gorilla and Concerto Networks. See the Business.com directory pages on starting a small business, business plans and getting started as a consultant.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
  • Fixing a machine and running a business, even a computer repair business, are two utterly different skills. If you find balancing a checkbook boring, seriously consider a partner with small business skills to chase customers and track money.
  • Do not, under any circumstances, dump a ton of cash into online or 'career school' training. Most techs either have legit college degrees in computer repair or, if self-taught in computer services, come up through corporate or consulting experience before starting their own computer repair business.
  • Be ready to spend a lot more time seeking clients than actually doing computer repair work, at least for a couple of years, until referrals begin to kick in.

Directory Listings  |  Web Listings  |  Advertise With Us
Guide author
By Greg Brown
Bootstrap your way into the fast-growing computer services and computer repair business
Avaya advertisement
advertisement
Sponsored Links

B2B search marketing Free B2B search marketing whitepaper, 2008 B2B Search Marketing Strategy Guide: Advice From the Pros.
To advertise on Business.com, click here

Subscribe to

Try our free weekly WhatWorks
newsletter, with business how-to advice
& resources from Work.com.

click here to view a sample issue

Advertising Center | Advertiser Login | Business Technology | Featured Listings | Software | News
© 2008 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms Of Use | Help | About Us | Jobs | Work.com