We’ve all been there. Looked at a task or project and thought: I can do that myself and save some money. What often happens, however, is that an attempt to DIY turns a task into an expensive project that drags on for way longer than it should.
IT support is similar. Many small businesses believe outsourcing IT support will cost more than handling their technology issues in-house.
But the truth is, the average cost of IT support services is affordable, especially when you factor in the cost of downtime or ask a tech-savvy employee to add tech support on top of his or her daily job responsibilities.
The other option, of course, is to hire a full-time technology specialist for your team, but few SMBs can afford that investment, which runs between $40,000 and $60,000 for junior technicians, and as much as $150,000 for an experienced IT manager, depending on your location.
Instead, consider that the average cost for outsourced IT support lands between $50-$125 per user per month. If you have a small business with 30 employees, that means an annual investment between $20,000 and $50,000.
The average cost of IT support for small businesses in the U.S. is about $40,000 a year, well below the price tag for even a junior tech specialist on staff.
| In-House IT | Outsourced IT |
| Limited internal resources to troubleshoot issues | Fully staffed team of IT experts available 24/7/365 |
| Just 2 internal team members can cost up to $150,000 + | Paid monthly on a per-user basis with flexible rates, averaging out to $50-$125 per user a month |
| Costly expenses for team member training, salaries, benefits, etc. | Eliminates operating costs for internal team members |
| Costly hardware and software repair costs | Covers costs of hardware and software repair |
Benefits of Outsourced IT Support
Besides the cost savings associated with outsourced IT support, there are several other reasons to opt into a partnership with an experienced managed services provider (MSP) that can offer your small business the strategic technology expertise that is crucial for fast-growing businesses.
A reputable MSP can offer way more value than just 24/7 helpdesk support.
IT support companies can ensure cybersecurity is in place to protect your intellectual property as well as company and customer data.
If your small business operates in a highly regulated vertical such as legal, finance, or healthcare, an MSP can guide you through the creation of compliant processes to ensure you are aligned with state, federal, and international law.
Experienced technicians will follow best practices and manage everything from laptops to business continuity solutions, making certain your technology is secure, integrated, and running smoothly to support your team’s productivity.
Remote monitoring and management services can turn your technology into a well-oiled tool for your business, proactively maintaining your network to reduce downtime.
Of course, all these tasks could be handled internally, but not by one staff member. And as your small business grows, the cost of in-house, full-time technicians will grow exponentially.
When using a per-user/per-month managed services plan, you can easily budget for cost increases as your team gets larger, making that investment predictable and manageable.
Find out how Exigent can help you with comprehensive IT support at affordable rates!
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What To Know About the Average Cost of IT Support for Small Businesses
Let’s talk about the different ways to price IT support and what you should expect to pay.
There are several elements to IT support pricing, meaning you can choose from managed IT services packages or opt for flat rate pricing or block of hours options.
For most small businesses, a managed IT support services package is the most cost-effective option.
Not only does the cost of outsourced IT support align with the number of employees you have, growing only as you expand your team, but it also provides the opportunity to spread your IT support costs over the year, creating an operating expense versus a capital expense.
A monthly recurring cost for IT can also eliminate the unexpected burden of technology break-fix costs, which can end up at the most inopportune times.
The opportunity to budget predictable IT tech support costs throughout the year is a bonus for small businesses operating on tight budgets and often enables more effective, modern technology solutions that can support customer service and productivity when it matters most to your growing business.
Determining Contract Pricing
As discussed above, most monthly IT support contract pricing is determined by the number of users.
However, there are exceptions to those contracts, unique projects such as deploying a new software solution throughout the business or integrating complex technology solutions, such as aligning your access control system with Active Directory as part of a cybersecurity compliance project.
Be sure to discuss the process your managed IT services provider uses to determine what work is covered in your contract and what is considered project work. Then understand how those projects are priced and what you can expect to pay for services outside your contract.
Some providers may follow a simple flat hourly rate for those exceptions to a services contract while others may require you to purchase blocks of time.
While outsourced IT support is likely the best solution for your small business, remember to ask the right questions as you select a managed services partner and begin to plan for the cost of IT support for your small business.
Check out these additional resources to learn more about the different tiers of support and potential questions to ask when looking to understand the difference between professional and managed IT services.
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Why Choose Exigent?
As you evaluate potential IT support partners, be sure you understand their IT support contract prices, the average cost for IT support per hour for projects or other out-of-scope work, and how they are qualified to support small businesses with sensible, affordable technology solutions.
When it comes to fully outsourced tech services, an MSP should have experience with small business technology, not just have affordable small business IT support pricing.
As an IT firm with 25+ years of industry experience, Exigent is a sure option for the quality IT support you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help check all the boxes for competitive pricing with quality service and support you won’t encounter with any other provider.
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Daniel Haurey Jr. is the president and founder of managed IT services provider Exigent Technologies, which he founded in 1997. Under his leadership, the MSP has earned accolades ranging from Channel Futures MSP 501 to being named SonicWall’s 2024 MSP Growth Partner of the Year. Dan is a true entrepreneur, dedicated to growing, investing in, and mentoring small businesses. You can find him on LinkedIn, where he regularly posts about technology, business, leadership, and community.