How to start a virus removal business in a down economy
In a down economy, more people are looking to repair their computers before purchasing a new one. This means more opportunities for you, the aspiring entrepreneur. In this article, we look into how to start a computer business focused on virus and spyware removal.
Why Focus on Virus Removal?
If you're considering starting a computer business, consider that it's very hard to make good margins reselling hardware. Although it might be fun to build custom computers, the market for this service disappeared long ago. By contrast, if you learn to provide services that do not require parts, then you can get started more quickly with less risk. Services that don't require parts include virus and spyware removal, installations, tutoring and (in most cases) data recovery.
You can create a profitable business by providing any of these services, but virus and spyware removal services often command top rates because finding a virus on one's computer creates a situation that is often:
- urgent, requiring help now
- frightening
- complicated (thanks, rootkits!)
Further, it's a good service to be able to provide because viruses aren't going away any time soon. As long as free software can easily be installed (this is going to be for a while, folks), people will infect their computers.
Marketing
For the computer technician, marketing is typically the most difficult aspect of running a business. Fortunately, you can perform a lot of your advertising online (relying on completely free advertising if you're doing this part-time). Don't waste money on newspaper print ads; they don't work for this type of business. Get your web site up, and start buying traffic using a PPC system, (making sure to bid very low initially, especially if you are new to this). Meanwhile, generate links to your new business through online business listing services, including the Yellow Pages, Google Local, and Yahoo Local - they all have free listing services, and carry a lot of weight.
Pricing
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Very cool tidbits that I
Very cool tidbits that I never thought about before when I ran my own PC repair business for a short while. Especially the part about backing up the users drive before even starting work. Would have saved me a lot of headaches and nervous pretensions I had working on new client machines.@ ShawnCiscoTrek Thanks!
Hopefully this will help out some others the first time around.absolutely
It's a good business. Just don't try to start your business in my town!