Computer Shop Business Ownership and 3 Essential Considerations

Running a computer shop business is a rather different proposition from running an IT support firm or consultancy.

This article explores three things you should consider if you are contemplating ownership of a computer shop business.

Shops Need Stock

IT consultants and traveling IT professionals needn’t carry an inventory.

A computer shop business needs to if it wants to avoid looking like an empty shell.

Computer equipment goes out of date quickly and stock costs money. This is not a great combination, so think very carefully about what products you will keep on your shelves.

Shops Are About Foot Traffic

The mere presence of a new computer shop on a busy street tends to generate customers.

This is obviously great news for a new business, but these customers will also be a drain on time and will ask for everything from new toner cartridges to virus removal.

It is wise to have a very clear idea of exactly what products and services your computer shop business is going to offer, rather than risk becoming a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none.

A Computer Shop Business Typically Serves the Home Market

Businesses tend to see computer shops as very different than the kind of companies they employ to provide IT support and consultancy.

Make sure you are confident of this division and that the home market is the market you would prefer to work with.

After all, you can’t spend your time out in client offices if there is a shop to look after.

A computer shop business is just one of many IT-related businesses you can start. For many entrepreneurs, it is perfect, and it certainly has the benefit of giving you the ability to lock the doors and disappear at the end of the working day. However, make sure it’s the right IT business for you before committing to renting or buying shop premises!

Do you run a computer shop business? Share your experiences in the comments below.

And to follow through on the tips introduced in this short article,  especially if you also sell and support SaaS and IaaS, be sure to enroll now in our free 7-day eCourse: Go-to-Market Strategy 101 for B2B SaaS Startups and Scaleups.