The cost of IT support services can really differ, and it mostly comes down to if you’re looking at hiring an outside company to handle your IT needs (managed IT services) or if you’re thinking of having your own IT staff.
No matter which way you go, having reliable IT support is key because it keeps all your tech running smoothly.
Good IT support helps avoid any tech problems that could stop your business from running well and makes sure your customers are happy. It’s becoming more and more important for businesses to have solid IT support.
As of 2020, the money made from IT services around the world was about $715.93 billion, and most of this (over 77%) was from companies outsourcing their IT support. The IT support market is expected to grow by 11.2% every year from 2022 to 2030.
If you’re thinking about getting an outside company for your IT support, this guide can help you figure out how much it might cost, especially if you have a mid-sized or small business.
| “In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, investing in IT support is not just about fixing problems; it’s about empowering your business to thrive amidst challenges. The right IT support can be the backbone of your company’s resilience and innovation.” -explains Zamir Javer CEO of CloudSecureTech |
How much does IT support usually cost?
The price of IT support can change a lot for small and medium-sized businesses and depends on various factors. These include the type of business you run, how you operate, and the complexity of your IT setup.
What influences the cost of IT support includes:
- The kind of help you need, such as daily assistance or planning for the future
- The length and terms of your agreement
- The fees the IT support company charges
- If the cost is calculated by the number of people or computers involved
For businesses with 25 to 99 employees (small) and 100 to 700 employees (medium-sized), it’s important to first figure out exactly what IT support you need. This might cover:
- Installing and managing your computer network
- Keeping software up to date
- Solving tech issues as they arise
- Saving copies of your important data
- Watching for and protecting against security risks
- Setting up security protections
- Taking care of your website or online services
- Managed IT support companies (MSPs) offer tailored plans based on your specific needs. They typically charge a monthly fee that depends on how many employees or devices they’re supporting for your business.
In a Nutshell: Factors That Affect the Average Cost of IT Support Services
When it comes to the average cost of IT support services, several factors come into play. These include the type and amount of services you need, the length of your contract with the provider, their fee structure, how they bill for services, the complexity of your IT systems, whether you use an in-house team or outsource, and the level of expertise your IT support requires.
Here’s a breakdown of these factors, along with strategies to manage costs and who each factor is ideally suited for:
| Factor | Description | Cost-Control Strategies | Ideal for |
| Service Scope | What IT services are provided and how complex they are | Focus on must-have services first, expand as needed | Businesses scaling up or with changing needs |
| Contract Duration | How long the service agreement lasts | Choose contracts that can change with your needs | Businesses looking for flexibility |
| Provider’s Pricing | How much the IT support provider charges | Shop around to find the best rates | Cost-conscious businesses |
| Pricing Model | How you’re billed, like per user or server | Pick a billing model that matches how you use services | Businesses with variable usage |
| IT Infrastructure Complexity | How complex and unique your IT setup is | Simplify and standardize your IT systems where possible | Businesses with complex IT needs |
| In-House vs. Outsourced | Using your own team or an external provider | Consider long-term costs and benefits of each | Businesses weighing cost vs. control |
| Expertise Required | The specialization level needed for IT support | Train your team or find providers with the right skills | Businesses with specific IT needs |
Choosing the right IT services for your business depends on what you already have in place. This includes if you have an IT team, what kind of IT help you’re missing, and whether you need special skills.
Besides figuring out how much IT support you need, companies also have to choose how they want to pay for IT services. Generally, there are three ways to pay for IT support: with ongoing payments, one-time fees, or by managing IT support yourself.
Now, let’s take a closer look at these three payment options for IT support, focusing on what might work best for small businesses.
| More resources you might like: |
1.Monthly Payment IT Support
Businesses that need IT help all the time might go for a monthly payment plan. This gives you continuous IT support and helps avoid big problems that could cost a lot to fix.
You pay a set amount every month for this kind of plan. It might seem like you’re spending more, but it usually gives you the best service, including proactive steps to prevent issues.
2.Pay-Per-Use IT Support
If your company only needs IT help once in a while, choosing a pay-per-use or as-needed IT support might make more sense money-wise.
This option is good if you rarely need IT help. You pay each time you need a service, but remember, if the problem is big or keeps happening, it might end up costing more than a monthly plan.
3.In-House IT Support
You could also decide to handle IT support yourself by hiring an IT manager or team.
Having your own IT team means you get steady support, similar to what you’d get from an outside service. Plus, an in-house team knows your business well and really cares about its success.
But, hiring your own IT team comes with extra costs like salaries, insurance, vacation time, and other benefits. For example, the average salary for an IT worker in the U.S. is about $88,000 according to Payscale. When you add in other expenses, the total cost of an in-house IT team can add up quickly.
Hourly Costs for Different Types of IT Support
You can figure out how much IT support will cost either by the hour or by the month for the three different kinds of IT support plans. Here’s a simple explanation of what you might expect to pay for each type of plan for every hour of IT help:
Managed IT Services:
If you work with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) under a regular or monthly plan, prices usually begin at around $1,200 per month. If you need more help, you can buy extra hours for up to $250 an hour. You might also be able to customize the service package to fit what your business needs.
One-Time IT Help:
The cost for one-time IT help can change a lot based on how long and what kind of help you need. Usually, the price for this kind of service is between $125 and $250 an hour. If you need experts who are certified in specific areas, you might have to pay more.
Doing IT Yourself:
Considering the average yearly salary for IT technicians in the U.S. is about $88,000, if you have your own IT team, it could come down to roughly $42.31 per hour for each person, not counting other costs like benefits. If you decide to hire more IT staff, the costs will go up from there.
Manage Your IT Support Expenses
Hiring outside IT support can give you flexibility, peace of mind, and the expert know-how to handle your small business’s technology needs effectively.
Now that you understand what IT support might cost for your small business, the next move is to find a trustworthy service that can take care of all your tech support needs in one go.
Author: CloudSecureTech
Happily providing insights and thought leadership for businesses to understand technology and cybersecurity! We help you leverage the best IT and technology services providers who you can trust.
