How To Pick Out The Cowboys In IT/Telephony/Web Design

In theory, it should be a simple case of being able to pick out the right IT services, telephony packages, and web design companies. However, it is not always easy to spot someone who is a cowboy, offering a good deal and then not delivering. Here are a few tips to help ensure you get the best deal.

Don’t pay in cash upfront

Don’t pay in cash upfront for a project, especially not the full amount. Arrange a meeting or contact the business first to discuss what you want, and if necessary draw up a contract or establish when an invoice will be paid for the work.

Cold contact

There was a time when cold calls were the issue. Increasingly, people are now getting emails and instant messages from random companies offering services such as IT and web design. Be wary of anyone who makes big claims such as “getting your website on top of page one,” as being on top of an unpopular search term is unlikely to get you additional traffic.

Furthermore, be wary of odd sentence structures, use of capital letters to highlight words or excessive use of exclamation marks, as this is often a dead giveaway. A professional should be able to present their services on a website and be able to answer any questions you may have, without using excessive hyperbole.

Do they understand?

While a company should be confident about pitching their services, it is also important that they understand what you want to achieve. Sometimes, this may mean they offer suggestions that are different to what you had in mind initially, but if they can prove how it is beneficial to you and you feel you can trust them then go for it.

If a company pushes a service you don’t need or doesn’t seem to understand what you want; then it is best not to use them. For example, if you have a website that doesn’t look up to date or fit the brand you want to achieve, it will have a negative effect on how people see it.

Reviews and feedback

A company should be able to demonstrate previous projects they have worked on so that you have an idea what to expect from them. Testimonials can help as well, though ideally, these should be from people you can contact rather than “Mr. R, Wandsworth.”

Outside review sites can be very useful as well. However, it is best to use more than one, allowing you to get the broadest range of feedback before making a final decision. Remember to be careful when reading reviews- be wary of any that seem overly positive or negative!

Learn more

In order to get the most from these vital services, it is best to use a company that is experienced and can deliver in terms of quality. To find out more about how we can help you get more from IT, contact Digi Toolbox, and we will be happy to discuss your needs in more detail.