But this personal attention comes with a hefty price tag. Consultants can be called in an emergency or scheduled to handle a specific project or come in periodically to check on things. It's the closest thing to having an in-house IT professional without actually having someone on payroll. Keep in mind that just because you can't afford an IT staff doesn't mean that you can't have access to support. With the Internet, it can seem like you can virtually do anything.
Quick tips Think ahead.
If you are going pay an hourly rate to outsource your IT needs, make sure you outline everything you want done before you bring in a consultant. This will save time, and in turn, money. You may already have a potential in-house technical guru hiding out in your office. See if one of your current employees has the potential to troubleshoot. Timing is everything.