Running a small business comes with big responsibilities. London lost 67,000 businesses in 2024, showing just how difficult it can be to handle all the complex tasks of running a smaller enterprise. Ideally, SMEs should be able to dedicate their time to focus on what matters to them most. However, the increasingly digitised economy calls for a reliable IT infrastructure across all industries.
That’s why it can be a wise idea for smaller businesses to outsource IT support to an external team of specialists. Freeing them up to stay focused on their business priorities and key deliverables.
This article will explore how local IT support can benefit small businesses, touching on how it can be far more effective than developing an in-house solution.
Access to IT expertise
IT support outsourcing allows for access to comprehensive technical knowledge and talent. Smaller businesses will generally be replete with talent in their industry, whether working in food services, construction or anything in between. Core staff aren’t likely to be experts in IT. Even with an in-house IT team, there are likely to be gaps in expertise.
Outsourcing to a pro team of specialists means the ability to leverage a range of skills and certifications, encompassing aspects such as:
- Cyber security
- Cloud architecture
- Data compliance
- Network management
An outsourced IT support team will cover all of these elements, while regularly updating its expertise to ensure small business clients can stay ahead of the curve.
Better cyber security and compliance
SMEs are disproportionately targeted by cyber criminals due to their lack of access to or awareness of the defences that larger corporations use. Similarly, the impact of a cyber attack can be much more significant on a smaller business, with more potential to take the company out of operation.
Small business IT support is often fortified with strong security measures, including:
- Firewalls
- Real-time monitoring
- Regular vulnerability scans
- Automated patch management
All resulting in a more reliable digital presence for the business. These measures can allow businesses to meet data protection regulations, which helps avoid costly fines and legal issues.
Cost efficiency and predictability
The average salary for a head of IT in the UK is around £80,000, and that’s before national insurance contributions, pension schemes, holiday or sick pay are even considered. Along with all of this comes the cost of recruiting, which can be a long process in the competitive IT job market.
Then, beyond the cost of the employees themselves, small business owners are also responsible for equipment and software licenses. Choosing to outsource IT support consolidates all of these costs into a manageable monthly fee, allowing for better financial forecasting and cash flow management.
Enhanced performance & scalability
Handling technology issues can be very time-consuming – especially for business owners who aren’t digital experts. This takes time away from core responsibilities, reducing overall productivity. Downtime is expensive and can harm a business’s reputation.
- IT support outsourcing allows for proactive support from experts, ensuring potential problems can be spotted in advance.
- Support teams can also offer round-the-clock, 24/7 availability, meaning issues can be resolved outside of working hours.
This allows for small business owners and their staff members to focus on their core responsibilities, setting themselves up for success.
Outsourced support is also generally a lot more scalable than the average capacity of an in-house team. This allows you to either increase or decrease the support you leverage as the business grows or goes through quieter patches.
Consider outsourcing
If you think you might want to outsource IT support, then make sure to seek out a team with a strong reputation that offers comprehensive, localised options. With the right partnership, you can maximise your business’s ability to outshine your competition.
