Everything You Need To Know About Fixing Phones as a Business

Does diagnosing hardware and software issues come naturally to you?

Then your skills might be a good fit for becoming a phone repair technician or starting a phone repair business.

But fixing phones as a hobbyist and fixing phones as a business are two very different things. Is it the right move for you?

To help you decide, we take a deep dive into the top six things you need to know about fixing phones as a business.

Considerations Before You Fix Phones Professionally 

If you’re considering fixing phones professionally, we know you have a knack for all things electronics. But having the skills for phone repair isn’t all there is to a repair business. 

Here’s what you need to consider before taking the leap from hobbyist to business owner:

• Great customer service is by far one of the most important aspects of a cell phone repair business. The ability to communicate with customers and keep them updated is what sets a decent repair shop apart from a great one.
  
  
• It’s easy enough to manage phone repairs when you’re repairing a few phones and ordering parts as needed. But when you own a phone repair business, you’ll need to effectively stock parts, track repair statuses, and manage inventory to keep repair operations running and ensure the business is profitable.
  
  
• While everyone has a preferred device or operating system, an independent phone repair business can’t afford to be picky. To expand your customer reach, you’ll need to stay knowledgeable about — and be ready to fix — every type of phone.

Is Fixing Phones Profitable?

A question we often get is whether or not running a repair business is profitable. The short answer is yes — but you need to do your research.

How profitable your repair store business is can depend on:

• If there’s a lot of competition in your area
• Where you offer services (in a storefront, out of your house, etc.)
• What additional services or products you offer
• Efficiency of your repair process
• Quality of customer service

Start by looking at other repair shops or independent repair technicians in your area and see what their strengths and weaknesses are. Your ability to profit will come from your ability to run an efficient business and your creativity in standing out from the competition.

Fixing Phones as a Business: Top 6 Things To Know

Ready to start a smartphone repair business? We love to hear it! CellSmart POS is a huge supporter of independent electronics repair shops.

As you start your journey, here are a few important things to know:

1. A Degree or Certification Isn’t Required (But It Can Help)

Starting a cell phone repair business doesn’t require any sort of degree or specific certification. In fact, many people start phone repair shops by learning skills online and working out of their houses. 

That said, if you don’t have much formal experience or training in electronics repair, a certification might be a good idea. Earning a repair certification can help build trust with your customers and show that you’re knowledgeable about the latest technology and best practices.

2. Organization Is Key

Today’s customers need their phones and the faster you can get them repaired, the happier they’ll be. 

Staying organized is a must for successful phone repair businesses — but how do you stay efficient with limited resources?

• Physical organization: Invest in labeled storage bins and create a system that works for your space. Ensuring you can quickly find appropriate parts and monitor stock levels is essential to keeping efficiency high. Make sure your tools are consistently available and stored in the same spot.
  
  
• An eye for data: You might also use your point of sale (POS) system to track your most popular repairs, customer history, and sales reports. This data can help your small business make smarter decisions on inventory, store layout, marketing, and various other important things.
  
  
• Inventory management: Inventory management refers to how businesses keep necessary items in stock to meet customer demand. For a phone repair business that means keeping track of:
  • Components (and their serial numbers)
  • Customer devices (IMEI numbers) 
  • Any accessories you sell (phone cases, headphones, etc.) 

Having an accurate view of your inventory will be vital to keeping up the pace of repairs. Inventory management software helps you optimize inventory levels with features like automated reorder reminders that will trigger whenever stock drops below a certain threshold.

3. Manual Processes Will Slow You Down

As a phone repair business owner, you’ll constantly juggle parts orders, work orders, status updates, customer payments, and more. The more you use spreadsheets or other manual processes, the more chances that important tasks slip through the cracks.

Investing in the right technology can help. POS systems built for repair professionals come with many useful features to streamline how you track and manage repairs, such as:

• Robust inventory and component management
• Integrated repair software and ticketing
• Streamlined work orders and repair tracking
• Customized reports and analysis for processes and finances

Find point of sale software that connects all aspects of your business, from vendor management and inventory to repair tracking and customer communication. A comprehensive software solution will help you stay organized and reduce errors. 

Better yet, leverage software with value-added features like customer loyalty and online sales support to offer a better customer experience. Customers expect a modern, convenient experience, so it’s important to invest in the right tools.

4. Good Customer Service Is Essential

When you work as a repair technician, your customer isn’t the device, it’s the device owner. Even if you have the technical knowledge to make quality repairs, customers won’t recommend you if your customer service is lacking. 

These days, positive online reviews are more important than ever for small businesses. So ensuring customers have a great experience from the moment they give you their phone to the moment they pick it up is essential.

Use repair management software to gain full visibility over your open tickets. This will allow you to prioritize repairs, send out updates, and ensure that no step in the repair process is forgotten. Using integrated POS and repair management software will also ensure a consistent user experience and accurate inventory tracking.

Keeping customers updated is half the battle. Automated repair status notifications are a great way to keep customers happy and in the know without manually sending messages.

5. Effective Marketing Will Help You Grow

As a small business owner, your survival will depend on word of mouth and referrals. That means you’ll need to take advantage of every marketing tool at your disposal to build your brand and bring in new customers.

Build an attractive website and keep your Google Business Profile up to date. On your website, list all of your services and estimates for common repairs like battery or screen replacements.

You can also use social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to showcase your skills with repair tips and guides.

Last, use your POS system to offer discounts and create special offers to bring in new customers. Consider offering discounts for common services or product bundles to upsell customers and increase revenue.

6. Flexibility Is a Must 

If you repair phones professionally, then we don’t need to tell you that technology trends and customer preferences change constantly. Limiting yourself to certain services may be fine in the short term but stifles your ability to grow. 

Don’t be afraid to branch out. For example, you could offer repairs for other types of electronics, sell phone accessories, offer training courses, and more. The point is to never get too comfortable and be willing to make changes.

Having a POS system that can handle multiple services and product types is a great way to stay agile as the market changes. When considering a technology partner, look for flexible pricing that allows you to add features as your business grows.

Ready To Fix Phones as a Business? We Can Help

Are you ready to take the leap and start fixing phones as a business? Then it’s vital to find a collaborative technology partner invested in your success.

CellSmart POS specializes in creating powerful, easy-to-use tools that help independent repair shops increase revenue, drive customer loyalty, and boost efficiency. With a dedicated support team and customers across the U.S., we provide everything you need to ensure your business is a success.

Not sure if we’re a good fit? Schedule a free demo and speak to one of our product specialists today.