subject: Is The Computer Repair Business Dead? [print this page] Is The Computer Repair Business Dead? Is The Computer Repair Business Dead?
Computer repairs are being performed by computer novices at a higher rate than ever before. More and more people are doing their own computer repairs, whether it is installing a hard drive, installing an operating system, or simply removing viruses amd such. Is the computer repair business dead?
The computer industry is evolving. It is always changing. In fact, if there is one thing that is unchanging in the computer repair industry, it's that change is going to come about. Companies like Microsoft have gone out of their way to make their products as easy to use as possible. Where does that leave the computer repair business? What can you do to remain in business and still be competitive?
Offer exceptional customer service. Look for a variety of ways to present your services. Take the time to examine your competition. What could you offer that no one else is offering? One area that is important to your customer is time. Are you in a position to guarantee fast computer repairs? Maybe a same day repair service? Think about how you will take care of your customer while they wait. You could create a comfortable waiting area for them with good reading material, free refreshments, computers with internet access or something similar. Don't be nervous about getting creative. Think outside the box.
Keep your fees reasonable without under or overcharging. When valuing your services, it is generally a safe bet to go with the industry average for your area. If you offer something unusual like same day repairs, you could charge a higher amount. Alternatively, if you charge the same as your competitors but get the job done more quickly, this can easily result in a larger amount of business.
Don't overcharge for computer components, such as Replacement Keyboards or Mouse Pads. Most customers are price savvy. If you are charging a premium for the computer parts you install over what other places are charging, you will soon find your customer base dwindling. Here again, the industry average is your best pal. Discover what your competitors are charging for general computer parts and look to stick around that. Getting known as the priciest place in town won't exactly help business.
No matter what else you do, however, make sure you treat your customer with respect and you'll have more business than you can cope with. Is the computer repair business dead? Definitely not. It's simply evolving.
