Support & Operations for Small Business: Keep Your Tech Running Without an IT Team

If you're a small business owner, you're probably the unofficial “tech person” too. Keeping your technology running isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about preventing them. The good news? You don’t need to be an IT pro to stay on top of the basics. In this post, we’ll walk through the everyday support and operations tasks that help keep your business tech reliable, secure, and ready to work when you are.

Problems with your technology can slow your business.

1. Stay on Top of Software Updates

   • Make it a weekly habit to check for updates on business-critical apps (e.g., Microsoft Office, Chrome, Adobe tools)

   • Enable automatic updates where possible to reduce risk of security holes or bugs

   • Restart devices regularly—many updates don’t take effect until you do

2. Back Up Your Files

   • Ensure all team members are saving work to cloud platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox

   • Set reminders to back up local files to an external hard drive or cloud monthly

   • Review your backup access and make sure you can restore key files quickly if needed

3. Check Internet & Device Health

   • Run speed tests weekly to make sure your internet is keeping up (use tools like Speedtest.net)

   • Power cycle your modem/router monthly (just unplug for 30 seconds and restart)

   • Replace old or slow devices—slow tech kills productivity

4. Organize Shared Folders and Passwords

   • Clean up clutter in shared drives so files are easy to find

   • Use a password manager like Keeper or 1Password so your team isn’t reusing weak logins

   • Review who has access to key accounts and remove former employees

5. Set Up Simple Cybersecurity Habits

   • Encourage strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all business tools

   • Train your team to recognize phishing emails and scams (even a 5-minute monthly refresher helps)

   • Limit admin access—don’t let everyone install apps or make system changes

6. Support Your Team’s Tech Needs

   • Create a shared list or spreadsheet where employees can report tech issues or ask for help

   • Assign someone (even if it’s you) to review it once a day

   • Schedule 15–30 minutes weekly to review any open tech concerns and fix what you can

You don’t need a big IT department to keep your business tech running. Having a trusted IT partner to help with the more technical areas and check-ins can prevent problems before they start. The key is consistency—build habits that make tech maintenance part of your business rhythm.

Begin here; Select two tasks from the list above and add them to your calendar immediately. You'll find that addressing tech issues proactively makes everything operate more smoothly. Having an IT consultant or MSP manage some of these tasks ensures everything functions properly.