5 Tips for Finding the Right Service Provider for You
One of the most frustrating aspects of being a business owner is the process of finding the right service provider. You need a photographer to take headshots for your online presence. You need an accountant or attorney to maintain your business infrastructure. You are looking for a plumber to fix the only bathroom available in your office. You need to hire someone to help you with your crowdfunding campaign. You need Human Resource assistance onsite for a few hours and the list of service needs goes on. But how do you select these professionals who are exceptional at what they do and are on your budget. A budget you haven’t completely developed, because again you need competent professional service providers to assist.
Finding these “needles in a haystack,” within your budget, in your area, and most importantly are effective, efficient, and competent can make or break your new business. You ask your friends and family closest to you if they know a great service professional. They try to help by referring you to the highest price professionals in your area, maybe from a billboard they have seen or a commercial on TV. Unfortunately, neither you nor your associates know what is needed to find the Right Fit for your business.
Perhaps you can outsource the work you need to freelancers online, a bookkeeping service or prepaid Legal for your business forms. You seek a consultant who could draft a more formal plan for you to follow. These freelancers are great, most of the time, but you find that there are some missing pieces to the solutions they offer. These solutions don’t seem to be helping your business advance and in many cases it appears you are throwing money away and your business is suffering.
Great service providers are everywhere, you simply need the bridge to make the right connection. Here are five steps you can use to help make the process easier.:
- Read Reviews: If you search Google, Yelp, or other online search vehicles to locate specific service providers then read reviews from previous customers. Firsthand accounts of how well a service provider assists a similar business to yours can help in evaluating the right fit for your business. Most reviewers will provide a level of insight into how knowledgeable, customer service friendly, and efficient the service provider was for them. The reviews also give you insight on how likely the reviewer is to maintain the relationship with the service providers. If the service provider is ineffective, too costly for the service they provide, or lack key knowledge you may be able to gauge that in the reviews.
- Ask for Recommendations: Being a business owner means being in a small population of people who know the unsexy part of being in business. Therefore, ask for recommendations from other business owners. If the business owner at the local Chamber of Commerce or your Facebook business owners support group is happy with a service provider get their contact information. A personal referral from one of the service providers current clients is a Gold Star in finding the right service provider referral. If you do not belong to a business group, you can also go to a local networking event to get connected to other business owners or service providers.
- Check credentials: Make sure the service provider is licensed, insured, and certified if necessary. This will ensure that they are qualified to provide the service you need.
- Get multiple quotes: Contact several service providers and get quotes from each of them. Compare the prices and services offered to find the best option for you.
- Meet with the provider: Once you have narrowed down your options, schedule a meeting with the service provider to discuss your needs and ask any questions you may have. This will help you determine if they are a good fit for you and your business.
By following these steps, you can find a great service provider that meets your needs and provides quality service.
