Contents:
Introduction
Thinking about switching IT providers? You’re not the only one.
But maybe you’re hesitating because it feels risky, complicated, or like it’ll cause chaos for your team.
Here’s the truth: switching doesn’t have to be stressful.
The secret is simple ask the right questions before you make the move.
7 Questions to Ask Before Switching IT Providers:
- What’s your switching process like?
- Will we lose access or data?
- Who supports us daily?
- What if we’re not happy?
- How fast do you respond?
- How will you keep us informed?
- What makes you different?
Meet Emily. She runs a busy accountancy firm in Liverpool.
For months, her team had been battling slow systems and constant downtime. Every support ticket felt like shouting into the void sometimes; it took days to get a reply.
When Emily finally decided to switch IT providers, she was nervous.
What if they lost data? What if switching caused even more disruption?
But once she asked the right questions and found a provider with a clear plan, everything changed. Her team stopped firefighting, productivity shot up, and she finally felt like IT was working for her business, not against it.
You deserve that too and it all starts with asking the right questions.
Here are the seven questions smart businesses ask when they’re ready to switch IT providers and the kind of answers you deserve to hear.
1. What’s your switching process like?
“Don’t worry, we’ll just take over” isn’t a plan. You need more than a smile and a handshake, you need a roadmap you can trust.
Look for:
- A step-by-step onboarding and handover process
- A timeline with clear milestones
- A named project lead who owns the transition
- A plan to keep your team running without disruption
A great answer sounds like:
“We follow a structured Safe Launch process. First, we listen. Then we map your systems, agree a clear transition plan, test everything behind the scenes, and go live with zero downtime. You’ll always know what’s happening, who’s doing it, and what’s next.”
Discover how Safe Launch makes switching IT providers stress-free.
2. Will we lose access or data during the switch?
Data is the lifeblood of your business. One wrong step can mean lost emails, corrupted files, or downtime you can’t afford.
Look for:
- A verified backup before any changes are made
- Access controls and version history
- A phased data migration plan
A great answer sounds like:
“We start by backing up your systems and double-checking data integrity. Then we switch things over in controlled phases, so you never lose access. Everything is tested before go-live, so you can keep working as normal.”
Following NCSC guidance on backing up your most important data helps ensure nothing is lost.
3. Who will be supporting us day-to-day?
You don’t want to explain your business to a new stranger every time you call or get stuck in an endless support queue.
Look for:
- A dedicated team or named contacts
- Engineers who know your industry and business
- Communication in plain English (no jargon!)
A great answer sounds like:
“You’ll have a consistent team of local engineers who are fully briefed on your systems. They’ll get to know your team and solve issues quickly, with empathy, not scripts.”
4. What if we’re not happy after we switch?
Switching providers is a big decision. You want reassurance that you’re not stuck if it doesn’t work out.
Look for:
- Flexible contracts
- A trial period or guarantee
- Low-risk exit options
A great answer sounds like:
“We know switching IT providers can feel risky, that’s why we offer our 101-Day Smile Guarantee. If you’re not completely happy, you can walk away, no penalties and no hard feelings. We’ll even donate a month’s support fee to a charity of your choice. Because we’d rather earn your trust than tie you down.”
5. How fast do you respond to issues?
Every hour of downtime costs your business and your reputation.
Look for:
- Clear, measurable response times (SLAs)
- Real examples or client testimonials
- Priority support for urgent issues
A great answer sounds like:
“Critical issues get a response within one hour, and most are resolved the same day. Every ticket is tracked, measured, and improved to make sure you’re never left waiting.”
See how we help accountants in Liverpool thrive with fast, friendly IT support.
6. How will you keep us informed?
You shouldn’t have to chase updates or decode technical jargon to know what’s going on.
Look for:
- Monthly reports in plain English
- Regular check-ins and reviews
- A direct line to your dedicated contact
A great answer sounds like:
“You’ll get monthly reports that are clear and jargon-free. Plus, a named contact will check in with you regularly so you always know what’s been done, what’s coming up, and how things are performing.”
7. What makes you different from our current provider?
Changing providers should feel like levelling up, not starting over.
Look for:
- Proactive, not just reactive, support
- A people-first approach
- Happy long-term clients who stick around
A great answer sounds like:
“We don’t just wait for things to break — we actively monitor and maintain your systems to prevent problems before they happen. We care about your team, your time, and your goals. That’s why most of our new business comes from referrals.”
See how we help businesses across Liverpool and the North West get IT that just works.
Look for providers that meet recognised security standards such as Cyber Essentials certification, and always comply with UK data protection legislation.
3 easy steps to your IT support
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Transition
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FAQs
Will we experience downtime when switching?
Not if done properly. With a Safe Launch process, everything is pre-tested to ensure zero disruption.
What if we’re stuck in a contract?
We help assess your current agreement and identify the best time to switch with minimal risk.
Is it expensive to switch IT providers?
Not usually. The long-term gains in productivity, security, and performance far outweigh any setup costs.
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IT Support Partner Checklist
To help you choose, we have created a customised checklist. This checklist gives you 50 key points across multiple areas to get started comparing up to 3 providers.
- Identify gaps with your IT support that could be holding your business back.
- Get a clear, objective view of your provider's performance across key areas.
