Offer Online Computer Help from Your Home

If you’re considering a career in freelance tech support, here’s another tidbit that can help you make up your mind. Did you know that you can troubleshoot computers and offer tech support without leaving your house? Instead of spending time and effort making house or office calls, you can offer online computer help and make just as much money. Of course, doing this will involve a whole new set of challenges. Unlike onsite jobs, you won’t be able to access the operating system or touch the computer yourself. But these setbacks can be easily overcome as long as you have the right tools.

Software for Remote Tech Support

How can you diagnose and troubleshoot a computer without being physically there? The answer to this is simple – all you need is a reliable remote control software like RapidAssist or GoToSupport. All operating systems contain a built-in remote access system that allows a third party user to control the computer even if that person is located somewhere else. With a remote control software, you can poke around your client’s computer, identify the problem, and fix it yourself instead of giving your clients online computer help through text chat or over the phone.

Remote control programs have different features, but they all work through the same mechanism. First, you download a client software and install it onto your computer. Then ask your client to download a server software and install it onto their machine. The program will connect your client software to the server software, enabling you to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem as though you were physically there. Though clients may seem unsure about giving someone so much access to their computer, remote control programs are secure, and the software will always ask their permission before it establishes a connection between the two servers.

Useful as remote software might be, it cannot diagnose hardware problems. If inspecting the software reveals nothing, you can refer your customer to a local repair shop and have their hardware inspected, or make a home visit yourself if they live close enough.

Text Chat or VoIP

If your clients are more or less tech-savvy, or do not want to use a remote control software, you can offer online computer help through text chat or voice over IP (VoIP). Although text chat programs have file transfer features that let you send files, it may be more efficient to use VoIP. Since most VoIP companies allow you to make free voice calls to anywhere in the world, you can simply talk your client through the whole session. Some VoIP providers like Skype also have a screen sharing feature that allows you to see their desktop, which will make diagnosing and repairing the problem a lot faster.

Charging Your Clients for Online Computer Tutorials

Freelance computer technicians can either charge their clients by the hour or give them a flat fee. Online computer help is only good for simple software problems and it’s likely that the session will be over in less than half an hour. You’ll make more business charging a flat fee.