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Resources


Welcome to Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy’s resources page! This is where I post tips, guides, lists and links to websites, books, articles, blogs, and other things that have helped me on my journey to starting my own computer consulting business. Know of a good resource you’d like featured here? Send me an email and let me know about it!
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Starting A Computer Business

Begin here to get a feel for the tasks you’ll face to get your computer business started.

  • How to Start A Computer Support Business by Bill Nadraszky - A nice list of some steps you should think about when starting your support business.
  • Computer Support Business? - A post on the Tech Republic Forums that ballooned to over 164 responses to a question a user posed about starting her own computer repair business. You get all kinds of resposponses from people who have experience in the field.
  • FindLaw.com - Small Business Center - Has a very extensive and helpful “Starting a Business” section.
  • Business Structures- Before you start your business, you’ll need to decide what business structure to use.  Most of the time, if you’re starting a business alone, a sole proprietorship is the way to go.

Find Work As a Computer Consultant

Want to see if you have what it takes to be a computer consultant. Moonlight as a part-time “Computer Guy” using these service providers.

  • ComputerSupport.com - Wonderful service that I reviewed here. Earn money part time for computer repair work that you do only when you’re available.
  • Gurus2Go - The rest of these links are to service providers I haven’t used before, but I’ve heard good things about them from other techs.

Practice Troubleshooting

Practice fixing real computer problems in a low-pressure environment with these websites. See my full review of them here.

Tech Websites

Stay up to date with the latest technology trends and news. Essential knowledge for the modern computer consultant.

  • Technibble - Technibble.com aims to share our knowledge with those who are looking to get into the IT industry or start their own computer business.
  • CNET - One of the best resources online for news and reviews of the latest in consumer electronics.
  • Gizmodo - Get the latest news on bleeding-edge technology gadgets with a twist of light-hearted satire.
  • ActiveWin - Windows and PC resources.
  • NeoWin - News, forums, blogs, and events for technology lovers.
  • Tech Republic - Community for IT professionals.
  • Tom’s Hardware - Best resource I’ve found for news, reviews, and discussion about computer parts and hardware.
  • XPTechSupport- Tech tips, fixes, and whitepapers.
  • Icrontic - A leading tech journal with reporting on enthusiast hardware and software, networking and security, gaming, and digital media.

Small Business Websites

Once you’ve got your small business underway, visit these desinations for resources to ensure your business thrives.

Podcasts

These are the podcasts that I listen to.  I love playing these in my car on my way to work or to visit clients.

Business Documents

Below are online resources you can visit to find any kind of document you may need to get your business started and to keep it running smoothly.

  • Business and Marketing Templates - Small Business Trends Article with links to some of the best sites for Business and marketing templates.
  • Emergency Binder - A great article with advice on how to prepare an emergency binder full of important documents incase of a business catastrophe.

Advertising

Resources to get the most out of limited advertising dollars.

How to Create a Flyer - One of the cheapest, easiest, and effective advertising tools is the flyer.  This article on About.com gives you a step-by-step guide to creating an effective flyer.

Craigslist - It may not be pretty, but it’s a very easy (and FREE!) way to advertise to your local market.  It doesn’t hurt to give it a shot right?

Naming Your Business

Get information about choosing and protecting your business name.

Getting Started

Registering Your Domain Name

  • How to Register Your Own Domain Name - Great beginners guide that breaks down the steps to registering a domain.
  • 10 Tips for Choosing a Business Domain Name - Solid tips for choosing a business domain name.
  • Domain Name Generator - Cool way to come up with unique domain names based on key words that you input.  It will also show you if the name is available or not.
  • Dotster.com - The first place I ever used to register a domain name.  They’ve been reliable, affordable, and easy to work with ever since.
  • GoDaddy.com - One of the most popular domain name registrars.  Lots of features and helpful add-ons, but the website tends to get a little crowded because of it.

Making Your Business Name Official

  • US Trademark Office - First, search the naitonal database to make sure you business name isn’t being used.  Then register your business name as a trademark so you’ll be able to legally do business throughout the country.
  • Secretary of State - Find out what local goverment agency is involved with business registration in your state.

Books

These are books I’ve read and reviewed on this website.  Click the book image to be taken to my review.


Well Designed Websites

These are computer repair and support websites that I think look great and get the message across. These are examples of what a computer consultant should strive for in website design.

  • iYogi - Simple, clean, professional layout with all pertinant information listed on the home page.
  • Good Computer Guy - Website of Bill Greenberg, a regular commenter here on Y.F.N.C.G. His website uses a unique approach by highlighting different every-day computer situations on his home page that visitors can relate to.

Recommended Services