Wal-Geeks?
Now that Wal-Mart is going to have its own version of the Geek Squad, we can expect more price competition for computer repair services. Better start building a reputation of quality service, not just low prices, to ensure that your business stays competitive.
The Danger of Relying on Google for Your Computer Repair Business
Google controls well over half of the United States' search market share. Your computer repair businesses may rely pretty heavily on it to bring in new customers. What happens if overnight your business is removed from Google's search results? Unfortunately, there are ways that your competition could get you banned or significantly punished in the SERPs.
Google deals with billions of websites. Most of the sites it sees are spam or garbage. Google (and other SE's) have automated systems to classify and penalize websites. If a smart competitor understands the classification system, then he can make you look like you are using Black Hat techniques to promote your site, getting you banned or penalized.
I won't get into the details, but I will state that I have been the target of an obvious attack - I suspect by a competitor - and that my rankings suffered immediately. When I tried to reach Google, I received the usual corporate cut-and-paste reply that says "Google cares", but means "Google doesn't have time to deal with you". This is your warning that a competitor could take you out. Bottom line: diversify your advertising, and try not to rely too heavily on Google. Find out ways to get new customers other than the web. Small businesses are at the greatest risk - Since Google has decided that they do not have the resources to speak with the little guy, you are out of luck if you run into trouble.
BSOD Virus Recovery
After a virus removal, your computer may BSOD on the next boot due to registry changes that the virus made. Windows is looking at a corrupt registry, and it may point to a virus-infected file that was removed. At this point, restoring to the earliest registry backup on the system can be a quick fix.
Update: Thanks, drew010 for suggesting the Ultimate Boot CD's Registry Restore Wizard: "It just looks for registry backups taken by system restore and in two clicks allows you to restore the registry to any available restore date. It has saved me many times."
MS Security Essentials vs AVG vs Avast
Is it time to begin recommending Microsoft Security Essentials over AVG and Avast? AVG is easy to use, but the free version is somewhat crippled (no rootkit detection). Avast includes rootkit detection, but does not seem to scan the registry and has a user-unfriendly UI.
Microsoft Security Essentials screenshot
MS Security Essentials won't nag users to upgrade, has minimal required user interaction, and includes rootkit protection.
Get More Business with a Computer Repair Coupon
image credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/mrceviz
Although your margins will decrease when a coupon is used, you can still increase your overall earnings by charging a bit more and offering a coupon at the same time. Those who care enough about getting a deal will find and use your coupon. Others start their search for a service with a coupon, and might never have found your business in the first place if you did not offer a coupon.
Show Relevance with a Photo.
After adding a photo to my computer repair business's website, conversions (view to call ratios) increased pretty dramatically and I started getting complements on my website. The photo license cost $1. The estimated gain was surely over $100. I chose an image that represents my target audience using the computer. Make sure your photo is relevant to your target audience (age, gender, etc).
Safe PC Online Scan: Bogus Alert
Today I ran into a new fake antivirus scanner, "Safe PC Online Scan". It's just like the other fake online alerts but now with 50% more trickery and deception. On visiting, I'm redirected to an alert dialog. Following screenshots 1 through 4, (click them to see the full-sized images), watch how it works.
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- 1. The first message I saw. I clicked the “X” to close it.
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- 2. My browser goes full-screen, giving the impression I’m now in Windows Explorer! It looks like a virus scanner is running. Again, I clicked “X” to close the new dialog…
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- 3. OMG! Is Windows telling me I’m actually infected? Browser popups can’t look like this so it must be Windows, right? On attempting to close the dialog, I initiate a download.
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- 4. By clicking “X”, I was actually initiating a download!
Unlike other fake online AV scanners, this one managed to resize Firefox 3.5 to full-screen, creating the impression that Windows Explorer just opened. It creates a very convincing illusion of an AV scanner running, and if that doesn't convince the victim, it follows up with a fake Windows security alert. Clicking just about anything causes a download to initiate. Even attempts to close dialog boxes initiate downloads, bypassing normal Firefox security mechanisms.
How to Earn 25% More
As a computer repairman, you have two basic options: charge by the hour, or by the job (with a quote). I prefer the latter. When starting out, you'll have the advantage of flexible pricing to determine what is optimal your market.
Segment Your Market
Rather than choosing a fixed cost for the job, find some optional added value you can give to your customer (e.g. faster service). Then, when providing your quote over the phone, start high for the premium service. If the prospect objects ("that's too much", or "I don't need a 12-hr turnaround time"), then you've created the opportunity to offer a lower quote without making your pricing seem arbitrary. Offer a longer turnaround (or otherwise sub-premium service) for a reduce rate. Aside from using the anchoring principle to your advantage, you now have a legitimate reason to reduce your quote if the customer is not willing to pay for premium service, in effect saving the sale and making the job easier on yourself through your reduced service offering.
By segmenting your market, you create an offering that appeals to the higher-end audience while not eliminating budget-conscious prospects. Based on my own experience using this approach, earnings went up over 25% during the first month, compared with my previous approach (offering a single quote).
Example
*Phone Rings*
Customer: How much do you charge for computer repair?
You: The price depends on what you need repaired. What's wrong with your computer?
Customer: It's got a virus.
You: Sounds awful! If you need the computer back right away, we can remove the virus and have it back to you in 12 hours for $ABC.
Customer: Hmm, I don't really need it done that fast.
You: That's fine. We also offer 24 and 48 hour service options. You can get your computer back, virus-free in 48 hours for only $XYZ.
In the above conversation, it turns out that you offered something more than the customer needed. You then reduced your offering to meet her needs.
If she had a business computer and needed the faster turnaround time, she likely would have been willing to pay more.
A Good Time to Start a Computer Repair Business?
Inc.com lists The Best Industries for Starting a Business Right Now. "Repair Services" is #16 on their slideshow. Specifically, "personal electronics repair shops" is mentioned.
The trick for the computer guru tends to be the marketing aspect, which this site aims to focus on. Technibble does a great job at covering the technical aspects. Here we focus specifically on virus removal as well.
The best way to begin is probably not to start your own shop, but instead to work out of a home office initially.
Computer Repair Mastermind Group
Special invitation for select computer business professionals. You're invited to be part of the Computer Repair Mastermind group. A Mastermind group is just like the forums but we'll be having a discussion via Skype for about 30 minutes.
A member of our forum and full-time onsite computer repair specialist, Demosthenes, will be hosting the first conference call on Monday the 13th at 8 PM EST.
From Demosthenes:
A common trait was found during the study of 100 highly successful business owners. All 100 had a group of like minded individuals they could share their ideas with.
Help me make this a success by bringing your experience to the discussion. Topics for Monday will be starting with marketing tips and ideas for your computer business. Join us Monday 13th at 8pm EST.
Send your Skype name to Demosthenes for your invitation.
See you Monday.
Demosthenes
Find Demosthenes on our forum.