You know the saying: You get what you pay for. And nowhere is that more obvious than in IT.
On the surface, a cheaper managed IT services agreement might seem like a win: lower monthly costs, basic support, maybe even some cybersecurity tools thrown in. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll often find hidden costs, sneaky exclusions and weak coverage that ends up costing you far more in the long run.
In fact, after years of reviewing IT contracts for small businesses, we’ve seen the same problems crop up again and again. Below are five of the most common ways “budget” MSPs cut corners – and how those corners turn into costly headaches for business owners.
Yet that’s what most low-cost IT providers install – and then call it a day. No 2FA, no advanced endpoint detection, no employee training and no backup defense if something slips through.
Why does that matter? Cyber insurance carriers now require advanced cybersecurity measures before they’ll even offer you a policy, and if those aren’t in place, your claim could be denied after an attack.
We’ve seen businesses suffer tens of thousands in damages because their MSP never set up the protections their insurance required. That’s not IT support. That’s IT negligence.
Most business owners assume tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace are backing up their data.
They’re not. These tools have a BASIC-level backup system but are not comprehensive solutions for disaster recovery or long-term data retention.
Cheaper or inexperienced IT providers often skip backups for cloud apps, CRMs and third-party platforms, which can leave critical data unprotected. Worse, many don’t offer immutable backups, which are now a requirement for many cyber insurance policies.
Think your backups are covered? Ask your current provider what they’re backing up – and what they’re not.
Here’s a common trick: quote a low monthly rate, then charge extra every time you need support outside of normal business hours…or when someone needs to show up in person.
We believe in flat, predictable pricing. But many providers carve out on-site visits, after-hours help and even emergencies so they can tack on fees later.
The result? You’re constantly second-guessing whether you should pick up the phone, and your team delays calling support, which costs even more in downtime.
Got an issue with your phones, Internet or security cameras? Some IT companies will happily say, “That’s not our problem.”
They’ll even charge hourly just to talk to your other vendors. And if your printer is connected to your network but not part of their “approved” hardware list, they might refuse to help at all.
We include full vendor liaison and network support for everything that touches your business technology, because problems don’t always come from one place.
One of the biggest red flags? A “one-man show” or a company that hires entry-level techs on 1099s, with no proper strategy behind the support.
With budget MSPs, you might get help, but you don’t get guidance.
What you should be getting is:
The truth is, most small businesses don’t realize they’re underprotected, until something breaks – a ransomware attack, a server crash, a massive compliance fine.
By then, it’s too late.
If you want IT that actually protects your business, you need to look beyond the monthly price tag. Ask the hard questions. Get the real answers. And don’t let yourself get stuck in a contract that leaves you exposed.
If you want to know what your IT contract is missing, let us take a look at your network. We’ll review your current IT solutions for free, walk you through what’s missing (if anything) and give you an honest, jargon-free opinion on how to close the gaps.
Click here to book your FREE IT Risk Assessment.
If you want to know what your IT contract is missing, let us take a look at your network. We’ll review your current IT solutions for free, walk you through what’s missing (if anything) and give you an honest, jargon-free opinion on how to close the gaps.
Click here to book your FREE IT Risk Assessment.
Complete this form to get started and we will contact you to discuss the next steps. Or call us at 1-833-231-6182 to get started.
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