Choosing the Right IT Partner Starts with the Right Questions

Your IT provider will have access to your data, your systems, and your team — so choosing the right one is critical. But too often, businesses skip past the hard questions and get locked into support that’s slow, reactive, or missing key protections. Before you sign anything, ask these five questions to make sure you’re hiring an IT support company that can truly support your business.

1. What’s Included in Your Monthly Support Plan?

Don’t assume everything is covered. Ask for a clear breakdown of what’s included — and what’s not. A quality managed IT service provider should include:

• 24/7 system monitoring
• Help desk support
• Microsoft 365 management
• Patch management and updates
• Backup and disaster recovery
• Cybersecurity tools like MFA, phishing protection, and endpoint security
• Strategic IT planning and quarterly reviews
  Watch out for vague service descriptions or hidden add-ons. You shouldn’t be surprised by extra charges for things like backup testing or remote support.

2. How Fast Will You Respond When Something Goes Wrong?

Ask for specifics, not just promises. A strong provider should have guaranteed response times (known as SLAs) and a track record of fast support. Ask:

• What’s your average response time?
• What’s your help desk process?
• How do you handle urgent issues after hours?
  Delays cost time, money, and employee productivity. Your provider should have a dedicated team and real-time monitoring to prevent problems — not just respond to them.

3. How Will You Protect My Business From Cyber Threats?

Cybersecurity is non-negotiable. If your IT company doesn’t have a clear plan for cybersecurity support, your business is exposed. Make sure their plan includes:

• Multi-factor authentication setup
• Phishing protection and user training
• Ransomware prevention tools
• Data encryption
• Secure backups
• Regular vulnerability scans and system audits
  Ask if these services are included or considered “extras.” In 2025, your security should be part of your IT support — not an upgrade.

4. How Do You Handle Backups and Disaster Recovery?

Downtime is expensive — and data loss can be devastating. Make sure your IT provider offers data backup and recovery that includes:

• Regular, automatic backups
• Offsite/cloud storage
• Backup testing and verification
• Fast system restoration
  Also ask: What happens if we’re hit with ransomware? A good provider will walk you through exactly how they’d restore your data — not just say “we’ve got it handled.”

5. How Will You Help Me Plan for the Future?

IT isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about supporting your growth, helping you avoid risks, and aligning technology with your goals. Look for a provider that offers:

• Network assessments
• Quarterly strategy reviews
• Hardware/software lifecycle planning
• Cloud migration support
• Licensing and budgeting guidance
  If they can’t help you plan, you’ll always be stuck in reaction mode — and that costs more in the long run.

Bonus: Ask for Proof

Before you choose a provider, ask for:

• Client success stories or case studies
• References from similar businesses
• An example of their onboarding and documentation process
  You’ll get a much clearer picture of what it’s like to work with them.

Book a Free 15-Minute Strategy Call

Need help evaluating a potential provider — or comparing them to what you have now?

Schedule a 15-minute call and we’ll walk you through what modern IT support should include, what to avoid, and how to spot red flags before it’s too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

What questions should I ask before hiring an IT support company?
Ask about pricing, response times, cybersecurity, backups, and planning. These five areas will tell you everything you need to know.

How do I know if an IT provider is trustworthy?
Look for clear communication, transparent pricing, real references, and detailed onboarding documentation.

Should cybersecurity be included in IT services?
Yes. Strong cybersecurity support should be part of every IT plan, not an optional add-on.

Do IT providers help with Microsoft 365?
Yes. We offer Microsoft 365 hardening and support to keep your cloud tools secure and running smoothly.

What’s the difference between managed IT and break/fix support?
Break/fix is reactive — you pay when something breaks. Managed IT is proactive — it monitors, protects, and supports your systems continuously.

How quickly should my IT company respond to tickets?
You should get a response within 30–60 minutes for normal issues, and even faster for critical problems.

What’s included in a data recovery plan?
Automated backups, secure storage, regular testing, and fast restoration if files are lost or systems crash.

Can IT companies help with compliance?
Yes. We help with HIPAA, FTC Safeguards, and other regulatory standards with documentation and technical controls.

Is IT support worth it for small businesses?
Absolutely. Small businesses are top targets for cyberattacks and often don’t have in-house staff to manage IT and security effectively.

How do I switch IT providers without disruption?
We offer a smooth onboarding process, documentation transfer, and no downtime when switching from your current provider.