There aren't many personal help desk services, but there are thousands of regular help desk services (that cater to businesses). So back to the point, how do you pick a personal help desk service? As a provider of personal help desk services, here is what I would do to pick the best service:
1. Don't be tricked into thinking that a software program is a help desk! If you are downloading some type of software and it is not at the direction of a live person, then you are not getting an actual help desk service.
2. Help desk services are not free. Don't be fooled. If you really want help, you have to have a live person to help you, and that means somebody has to get paid for their time, period. Stay away from free services unless it is a trial, and if it is a trial, make sure you don't have to give a credit card number or checking account information (if they ask for this, then you are getting signed up for a service at the end of the trial!).
3. Remember you are looking for a personal help desk service and avoid the services that market to big businesses. Think about it, the help desk that has a big company client will surely not pay attention to one person or family, they can afford to lose a small customer because their bread and butter is big businesses.
4. Look for somebody in your local area or at the least someone that has some affiliates in your area in case of the need for a house call, and make sure they answer their phone! Call them and see how easy it is to get them on the phone, if you have any trouble, then beware.
5. Don't fall for the ol' "well, the price is set on a case by case basis" scam. If you can't get a straight answer about the price, then how are you going to get a straight answer on your computer problem? The price should be clear, and the service provider should be willing to put their price and services in writing, or better yet, they should already have a contract ready when you ask the question.
6. Find somebody that can give you a free trial period. If they have a good service, then they will surely let you try it out for a couple of weeks.
7. Shop around! I personally would not pay more than $35.00 per month for a help desk service, and I would only pay that if the service was super awesome and included some additional perks.
8. Don't sign up for any service that bases their charges on time spent or number of calls. Any help desk service should be an unlimited service if it is going to be worth the money.
Good luck!
Good luck!
from : Justin Petty
