Hi,

I am considering setting up a small business installing home networks and PC maintenance, etc, to the SOHO and SME market. I feel this is a growing market but one thign that is putting me off is the consumer slow-down... i.e. if people are going to stop spending in Dixons, Currys et all then this is perhaps not the best time to set up a new venture like this.

I would be interested in people's thoughts on this.

to be honest I would stay clear of that, its now so easy do at home thanks Windows XP that it is idiot proof, even my dad networked 4 computer in his house and he could'nt even switch on a computer 3-4 months ago.


sorry for the news,

mad_dan

Yes, I do think you are right...

I'm not sure - there are still some complete computer doofuses around.

In the consumer sapce nowadays, people expect everything to cost £10 with cashback, so I'm not sure if the returns would be enough to tempt you.

Apple are rumored to be bringing out a $499 Mac-in-a-tiny-box to be sold alongside iPods, which could again damage the market for home/SOHO help.

Lots of work out there.
There are so many machines infected with the dial up trojan, very few know how to clear them. Most in desperation format AV is no guarantee to find them, and ad and spyware is now rampant. Cleaned 3 machines in the past two weeks alone. Charged £50.
The best advertising is leaflets inserted in the local rags, that what a mate of mine done until he moved on to greater things. Kensington and Chelsea are rich pickings he once told me.

Go for it. There is never a right time. Millions of small busineses established in the truly bleak 1970s.
To be sucesful you really have to understand money, make sure you get paid on time and above all be organised and have a genuine system for generating next months new customers.