Your business depends on technology. But choosing the wrong IT partner can cost you more than money. It can cost you sleepless nights, stress, and maybe even customers.
Most small businesses make the same mistakes when choosing IT support. They fall for smooth sales pitches and sign contracts without reading the small print. They assume all IT providers are basically the same.
They’re not.
The Real Cost of Getting IT Wrong
Poor IT providers can be slow to fix incidents while often creating bigger headaches for your business. You may find hidden fees on your invoice. Auto-renewal clauses can keep you locked in for years. When something breaks, they spend more time pointing the finger of blame at others than finding and fixing the problem.
Unfortunately, the IT industry abounds with stories of firms that have overpromised and underdelivered.
The good news? You can avoid these headaches completely.
What Most Businesses Miss During IT Sales Calls
Sales reps are good at their job. They know exactly what to say to get you excited. But they also know what NOT to say to you.
Like how they define “emergency response time.” Or what happens when you need help outside business hours? Or why their references are all from three years ago.
The Small Business IT Buyers Guide reveals 12 checkpoints that separate real partners from smooth talkers. One checkpoint asks if they feel like a partner, not just a provider. The guide also digs into whether they can provide recent, relevant references.
These aren’t random questions. They’re based on real patterns from businesses that got burned.
Why References Matter More Than You Think
Any provider can talk a good game. But can they back it up?
You should be able to talk to a real client. Not just read a cherry-picked testimonial from five years ago. An actual business owner or manager who worked with them recently.
When a provider says “We don’t do references” or offers vague excuses about privacy, that’s usually a sign they don’t have anyone willing to vouch for them.
The Contract Details That Bite You Later
Service agreements are boring. Most people skim-read them or skip them entirely. That’s exactly what some providers count on.
Our guide breaks down how to read IT service contracts without falling asleep. It shows you the clauses that matter. Like what triggers price increases. How they handle data when you switch providers. What constitutes an “emergency” versus regular support?
These details seem small until they become expensive problems.
Smart Questions That Reveal Red Flags
Asking the right questions during sales calls will expose providers who are winging it. The guide includes specific questions that separate prepared professionals from slick but deceptive salespeople.
Ask questions about their backup procedures. How they handle after-hours emergencies. What happens to your data if you decide to switch service providers?
Good providers answer these questions easily. Bad ones get defensive or give vague responses.
Skip the Expensive Lesson
Many businesses learn these lessons the hard way. They sign with the wrong IT service provider, deal with problems for months or years, then start over with someone else.
You can skip this expensive lesson.
The Small Business IT Buyers Guide gives you everything upfront. The red flags to watch for. The questions that matter. The contract terms that protect you.
It could save you thousands in mistakes and months of frustration.
Download your free copy of the guide and stop guessing about IT providers. Use the checklist to make a single informed choice.
Choosing the right IT partner can be challenging. If you still have questions after reading our guide, feel free to reach out to Modern Networks. Our goal is to provide managed IT services that align with our customers’ business objectives.