IT Basics for Growing Trade Businesses (No Tech Jargon)
You started with a truck, a phone, and maybe a personal Gmail account. Now you've got employees, an office, and actual computers. But your IT setup hasn't kept up.
Here's a no-jargon guide to getting the basics right.
1. Professional Email (Ditch the @gmail.com)
The problem: [email protected] doesn't look professional. Customers notice.
The solution: Get email with your company name: [email protected]
How it works: Services like Microsoft 365 let you use your own domain name for email. You get professional addresses for everyone, plus calendars that sync, and it works on phones and computers.
Cost: Around $6-12 per person per month.
Why it matters: Professionalism, yes. But also security-business email has protections that free email doesn't.
2. File Storage Everyone Can Access
The problem: Files are scattered across different computers. Nobody can find anything. Someone's laptop dies and important documents are lost.
The solution: Cloud storage that everyone can access.
How it works: Services like OneDrive (included with Microsoft 365) or Google Drive store files in "the cloud"-which just means on secure servers you access through the internet. Files sync automatically. Everyone sees the same thing.
Why it matters: - Files aren't lost when a computer breaks - Everyone accesses current versions - You can access files from anywhere
3. Backup That Actually Works
The problem: Your computer crashes. Where's that proposal you spent hours on? Gone.
The solution: Automatic backups that run without you thinking about it.
How it works: Backup software copies your important files to a secure location (usually cloud storage) regularly-daily or even more often. If something goes wrong, you restore from the backup.
Important: Backups only work if they're: - Automatic – You will forget to do it manually - Regular – Daily at minimum - Tested – Do a test restore to make sure it works
4. Security That Stops Hackers
The problem: "We're too small to hack." No, you're not. Small businesses are prime targets.
The solution: Basic security measures that stop most attacks.
The essentials: - Security software – Not the free stuff; real protection like SentinelOne - Strong passwords – Different for each account, not "password123" - Multi-factor authentication – That text code when you log in? Use it everywhere - Updates – Yes, they're annoying. Do them anyway.
5. When Your Kid Can't Be Your IT Guy Anymore
The problem: Your nephew set up the computers. He's now away at college. Something breaks and nobody knows what to do.
The solution: Find reliable IT support before you need it desperately.
What to look for: - Someone who explains things clearly (no jargon) - Reasonable response times - Fixed monthly pricing (not surprise bills) - Experience with small businesses
When to get help: - You're spending hours on tech problems - You don't have backups - You've had a security scare - You're growing and systems can't keep up
Ready to Get the Basics Right?
We help trade businesses get IT set up properly-simple systems, plain explanations, and support when you need it.