Budget IT
Good for Your Wallet, Bad for Your Business
We get it. When you’re running a small business, every dollar counts. So when you see a low-cost IT services package, it’s tempting to think, “Perfect—this covers the basics, and I’ll save some money.”
But here’s the thing: cheap IT often ends up being very expensive.
We’ve reviewed a lot of IT contracts over the years, and too often we see small businesses stuck with bare-bones service that skips the essentials. What looks like a great deal on paper turns into lost data, surprise bills, and major downtime down the road.
Here are five of the most common ways “budget” IT providers cut corners—and why that can cost your business far more in the long run.
1. Basic Antivirus ≠ Cybersecurity
If your IT provider sets up antivirus and calls it a day, that’s a red flag.
No two-factor authentication. No advanced threat detection. No cybersecurity training for your team. And no plan for what to do if something does slip through.
Why does that matter? Because most cyber insurance companies now require these protections—and if they’re not in place, your claim can be denied.
We’ve seen businesses take a huge financial hit because they assumed they were covered, only to learn too late their provider skipped the essentials.
2. Half-Baked Backup Solutions
A lot of people think Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is backing up their data. It’s not.
These platforms have some short-term recovery options, but they’re not built for real data protection. And if your IT provider doesn’t back up things like cloud apps, CRMs, or other third-party tools, you could be missing key data entirely.
Even worse—some don’t use immutable backups (the kind that can’t be tampered with), which are now a requirement for many cyber insurance policies.
If you’re not sure what’s backed up and what isn’t, it’s time to ask.
3. The “Surprise Fees” Game
One of the oldest tricks in the book: offer a low monthly rate, then charge extra for anything outside 9–5 hours or on-site support.
It may seem fine at first… until you need urgent help on a Friday night and get hit with a huge bill.
We believe in flat, predictable pricing. No surprise charges for after-hours emergencies. No hesitation about calling for help. Just the support you need, when you need it.
4. “Not Our Problem” Support
Phones acting up? Wi-Fi problems? Printer won’t connect?
Some providers will tell you it’s not their responsibility—and then bill you just to talk to the vendor who is responsible.
That’s not how we work. We support your whole network, including third-party tools and devices, because problems don’t always stay neatly in one box.
5. No Strategy, No Guidance
A lot of budget IT providers are either a one-person operation or a rotating door of entry-level contractors. You might get basic support, but you don’t get strategy—and that’s a problem.
You should have someone who:
- Knows your business
- Helps you plan your tech upgrades
- Reviews your security and backup health regularly
- Advises you on compliance
- Acts as your go-to for all things IT
In short: someone who’s more than just a help desk.
The Bottom Line:
If an IT deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Most small businesses don’t realize their tech coverage is full of holes—until something goes wrong. And by then, it’s too late to go back and fill in the gaps.
Not sure if you’re really covered? We can help.
We offer a free IT Risk Assessment for qualified businesses—no pressure, just honest insights in plain language. You’ll walk away knowing exactly where you stand.