How to Choose the Best MSP for Small Business

Read a brief guide by Genius Fixers on essential questions to ask a managed service provider before a partnership.

This is one of the most paramount questions you must ask a managed service provider in the very beginning. Maybe not many sources have cited this particular investigation, but it is important because of its intrinsic value. 

Not all MSPs supply their expertise to small businesses. If they have no such experience, they might not succeed in comprehending your challenges and special needs. Limited budget, absence of an in-house team, and fear of overspending are a few examples.

Now, this is quite a direct and explicit query. Many might hesitate to opt for this sentence. Nevertheless, it holds massive significance. Basically, it is about the reviews, because they define a company’s reputation.

For instance, more positive feedback than negative feedback illustrates their strength in satisfying clients. Not every service provider is capable of doing so. Therefore, ask and then go through the list they showcase. See the patterns and identify vulnerabilities. 

This statement encapsulates two aspects. One is the number of years. And the other is the diversity of clients. The second of the two means you are trying to grasp their skills in catering to various service seekers. Now, what services do small businesses can actually look for? Cybersecurity services are something to ponder. After all, they might need professional assistance to monitor anti-virus solutions. Also, this is pertinent to spot IT infrastructure weaknesses.

Another notable sort is BDR service. This is short for backup and disaster recovery. This aids in efficient planning of restoring data. This is because small businesses can also possess client or financial records, which is pivotal information.

Whether it is about commitments or price plans, MSPs should succeed in being transparent. The latter is a key factor in determining the authenticity of such companies. From the initial meetups, they must strictly follow their promises. 

Inquiring about this matter can further enlighten you about their practices. Are they regular in reporting or can they efficiently provide management services? You can then gain all the concerning answers.

Managed services are not adequate for small businesses. Their core values must align with yours too. Otherwise, numerous misunderstandings will emerge, leading to failure in maintaining long-term relationships.

Moreover, the contracts may not cover everything. Such a connection of values can assist in understanding their behaviors when issues other than cited in the written form arise. Besides, examples of these values are integrity and answerability.

Once you state your goals and challenges, the next step is to ask an MSP about the solutions. This way, you will know whether or not they can deal with your IT problems efficiently.

Also, if they succeed in responding, contemplate whether their solutions are giving you confidence.

The provision of reports alongside their frequency is imperative as well. First, you must comprehend why. The reason is that the client is able to see whether their efforts are offering an apt return on investment.

Also, this helps you to deeply understand their services. The more connections include time they are spending and performance tracking.

The aforementioned content demonstrated some key questions. This is the sole duty of the client to ask prior to acquiring services from an MSP like us. For example, inquire about their experience, core values, offerings, reporting, and transparency.