As a business owner, it’s important to be aware of the MSP red flags that could potentially cost you time and money. Many business owners make the mistake of choosing a managed service provider (MSP) without doing their research. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five of the biggest red flags to avoid when choosing an MSP. So if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! We’ll walk you through the signs you should watch out for.
1. Poor Communication
One of the first and most important red flags to look out for is poor communication. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, but usually, it boils down to the MSP not being responsive to your questions or concerns. Look for poor communication in the form of the MSP not being transparent about their services. If an MSP is difficult to get in touch with or doesn’t seem interested in keeping you updated on their progress, it’s a good idea to look for someone else.
A good MSP will be very transparent about their services and will make sure to keep you updated on their progress. They should also be available when you need them and should be able to answer your questions promptly.
2. Tries to Nickel & Dime You
Another red flag to avoid is an MSP that tries to nickel and dime you. This usually happens when the MSP charges you for every little thing they do or adds on hidden fees that you weren’t expecting.
One of the advantages of managed IT services is that it bundles all your IT services and support together to keep costs consistent while you get comprehensive services, so if your MSP is trying to continually add charges for what should be included in your partnership, that’s a bad sign.
Make sure that the MSP you choose has a flat-rate fee structure so that you always know what you’re paying for. Make sure they don’t have any hidden fees and that what you see is what you get. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
3. Focuses on Solutions Over Strategy
Another thing to watch out for is an MSP that focuses on solutions over strategy. This usually happens when the MSP tries to sell you products without really understanding your business and its needs, or when they’re pushing specific vendors’ tools for their own benefit instead of having your best interests at heart.
A good way to avoid this is by choosing an MSP that takes the time to understand your business before making any recommendations, making sure that your strategy is their main goal. Your success should be your IT partner’s first priority, independent of what IT solutions you use.
4. No Experience in Your Industry
Another red flag to avoid is an MSP that doesn’t have any experience in your industry. This can be a big problem because they won’t understand the specific challenges you’re facing, and they may not know how best to help your business or understand your technology goals.
Working with a Managed Service Provider that has experience in your industry helps ensure that they understand your challenges and have the right solutions for your business.
This is especially important in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or government contracting. An MSP that understands HIPAA, CMMC, or other relevant compliance requirements and knows how to fully protect private customer information is invaluable to your business.
5. Bad Customer Reviews
The last red flag to avoid is an MSP with a majority of bad customer reviews. Bad reviews can be a big indicator that they’re not providing their clients with the level of service they need and deserve.
It’s a good idea to read all reviews with a grain of salt, of course, but if a company has overwhelmingly bad customer reviews, there’s probably a reason.
Looking for a Quality Managed Services Provider?
If you’re looking for a quality MSP that won’t give you any of the red flags listed above, reach out to our professionals at Simple Systems. We’re a top-rated Utah MSP, and we’re always putting our clients first. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
