IT Support - Earn a few quid online

Mr-Kilner

Hello all - I have worked in Computer support for over 10 years now, and would like to know if anyone knows of a community online where I could get paid to answer IT / Computer questions. I feel I have the knowledge required and just need to find the right site.

Thanks for any hints or links

jasonwatkins

No such thing i'm afraid.

I worked in I.T. for 15 years and looked for something similar years ago.

Anyway, when you've got forums like this, with the 'Techie' sub-forum that's completely free, you're not going to get anyone who will actually pay you to post there or to answer support questions.

qw3rt7

I'm doubt such a place exists. As just about any common computer problem can be fixed by typing the most basic description of said problem into google and reading the solutions posted in the forums that will inevitably be listed on the first page, i do not see a market for it.

There are telephone based positions available, but i doubt these would give you the wage or flexibility you had envisaged.

duchy

You could always set up your own website if you can't find one to fit your niche and earn income from advertising.
Depends if your general area would generate enough interest I guess.

Mr-Kilner

Hi all, thanks for that. I did think some people are not always confident with googling round, and reading forums.

Thats why I thought the idea of a online contact, with guaranteed experience sounded like a good idea, and I guessed someone must have a site dedicated to this! Especially if the person with the problem only paid when they was happy the problem was solved, and it was cheaper than PC world etc....

It would be a good thing to setup, but like most things needs the backing and advertising to be successful.

duchy

Quite honestly home users aren't prepared to pay- I work in BB support and people ring about the most unconnected things and it's rare I can't either help them or direct them to a free (apart from phone call cost) resource.

The days of computers been a mystery to the majority are long gone I'm afraid

wallsy

Sounds like there could be a market for this sort of thing. I Know PC world sell this kind of support with new hardware. I guess there are also premium rate numbers you can call for help. This might be your answer. Buy a Premium rate number set up a basic web site and wait for the calls. Just an idea. Like you say not every one is confident fault finding and fixing.

fuzzball172

google a service called crossloop, its a remote support tool / service built on VNC, you can set yourself up as a remote support tech

ITtim

duchy wrote: »

Quite honestly home users aren't prepared to pay- I work in BB support and people ring about the most unconnected things and it's rare I can't either help them or direct them to a free (apart from phone call cost) resource.

The days of computers been a mystery to the majority are long gone I'm afraid

I disagree, quite the oposite in my opinion. I'm a system admin and most of my users do not have a clue. I'm always being asked questions and having to fix home pc's etc.

While having a browse on line will give the answers to most technical questions very few home users would know how to apply the info.

However i would agree that the amount a home user is willing to pay can be quite slim.

jasonwatkins

You see dozens of ads in the local paper for computer support/repair/virus removal e.t.c.

All of them trying to undercut the next one and eventually it just becomes a waste of time because there's so much choice available, people will naturally go for the cheapest option so if you want to get in on that action, you have to go even cheaper.

And when you've got the various books about "Computers made Easy" and the various "dummies" books as well that you can get from your local library, it makes you realise that you're on a hiding to nothing.

The only realistic way you could do anything along those lines is set up a website, as duchy suggested, and offer free help and support with guides and tutorials.

You would have to try and recoup your costs and - maybe - turn a profit through advertising and maybe charging a token amount for a personal response.