The mobile phone market in India (and in the rest of the world) is rapidly expanding, which means that there are a large number of cell phone users in every city, town, and even rural areas. Smartphones are becoming more popular as access to the internet, and social media becomes more widespread.
When mobile phones first became available, people would buy a new one only when their old one broke. On the other hand, people today would rather have their smartphones repaired than replaced. Perhaps it's because smartphones are becoming more expensive and sophisticated. Every day, mobile phones become more technologically advanced. Isn't it possible that people will run into software and hardware issues that they can't fix on their own, given the number of phones and features available? Certainly! All of these factors contribute to a favorable business environment for mobile repairing shops. A mobile phone repair business's primary focus is repairing broken or damaged mobile phones and tablets.
Did you know? With over 1.1 billion subscribers as of the end of 2020, India's telecommunications market is the world's second-largest.
Business plan for Mobile Repairing Business
A mobile repair business requires extensive research and planning before it can begin operations. Here is the step-by-step plan to open a mobile repair business in India:
1. Learn and get certified
As a first step in fixing smartphones, you will need a thorough understanding of mobile repairing techniques. You'll also need to know everything there is to know about a phone's internals. To learn as much as possible about mobile repair, taking a mobile repair course is the best option.
Several schools offer classes on how to repair mobile phones systematically. The classes teach students how to diagnose common problems with mobiles, as well as how to repair or replace faulty components.
2. Estimate the investment required
A home-based cell phone repair business requires little start-up capital, as the majority of your expenses will be for supplies, marketing, tools and equipment, and furniture. The initial investment can be between ₹1-2 lakhs. As a qualified technician, you can assume responsibility for all repairs. Begin by stocking a small number of common model-specific parts before gradually expanding your inventory.
Estimate additional costs based on the business model you choose. The main components of investment are space/shop (rental/leased), furniture, spare parts, equipment & tools, Employeees, and promotion of the business (both online and offline channels).
Between ₹5 and 10 lakhs may be needed to open a 200-square-foot shop in a neighbourhood. People who want to open the store in a shopping mall or other big business centers will have to spend more money. You must prepare for a wide range of hardware and software issues that customers may come up with. The number of services you want to provide, such as selling mobile accessories, phone recharging, and so on, is also determined by your investment budget.
3. Choose an ideal location
The location of a mobile phone repair shop or business is one of the most important factors in its success. You need a location that attracts new customers and makes it easy for them to get in and out of the store. The shop must be easily accessible to your customers. It should ideally be located in a place that is accessible to both residential and commercial customers.
Providing good quality customer service is a surefire way to build a loyal customer base. If you open your business in a residential area, providing good service will result in positive word of mouth, which will help in rapid business growth.
Also Read: Complete Guide On Starting Your Own Mobile Shop
4. Get required licenses
To operate a mobile repairing business in India, you will need to obtain all the necessary permits and licenses.
- Shop act license that permits you to run a shop
- Registration of the company, either as a sole proprietorship, limited liability partnership or a Pvt Ltd.
- A company bank account
- Register for a trademark if you want to have a brand name for your business
- GST registration is required and GST number must be there on all your bills.
5. Employ an expert technician
In the beginning, it makes financial sense to keep costs low, but a proper service facility requires at least a few technicians. When hiring a technician for your business, it is critical to consider factors such as the person’s familiarity with a variety of models and their previous experience working directly with customers.
It is preferable to work alone when starting a business. You can, however, hire an expert technician once your business is established, and you begin to receive a steady flow of work. This will also boost your business’s productivity.
6. Inventory and other systems
To help your mobile repairing business succeed, spare parts are essential. Investing in software to scientifically manage stocks makes sense when you consider how many items are involved. An efficient labeling system for the physical stock will make it easier to find what you need.
Invoicing, accounts, and receipts should be managed using suitable software. Your reputation and image will benefit as well as your workload.
7. Equipment and furniture:
Tools and equipment for testing and quality control are investments that must be made with the help of experts. The shop's furniture and layout should be designed to make working and dealing with customers easier.
8. Advertise and promote your business
If you want to build a customer base, you'll need to promote your mobile phone repair business. Analyse your competitors' strategies and come up with a better marketing plan than they have.
You can use a variety of offline and online marketing strategies to accomplish this goal. Offline methods, such as posters, handbills, and so on, can be used to promote your business. Publicize your mobile repair shop on the web by using well-known platforms like Facebook, Google, UrbanClap and JustDial.
For announcing new products and engaging with potential customers, you need to be active on social media. Investing in marketing from the start is now considered a necessity and should be treated as such. Small businesses must take advantage of digital marketing to build a strong brand identity for their establishment while also keeping costs low.
9. Build On Your Strengths
Getting a business off the ground isn't enough. You need to keep an eye on your business's performance. You must ascertain the advantages and disadvantages of your business. Examine whether or not all of the pieces are in place. You must identify the parts of your business that are bringing in revenue and the parts costing you money to make necessary adjustments. For a successful and steady start to your business, you will need to put in extra effort in the beginning.
Tips for the growth of Mobile Repair Business
You should now have a good idea of how to begin a mobile repairing business. Let's take a closer look at a few helpful hints for ensuring the business's success.
1. Focus on quality
Only a happy customer will return and recommend your business to others. The skill of your technical hands and the spares used all should be of high quality. Time (of service) is an important factor for the client, and you must pay close attention to it.
2. Build trust
It takes time to build trust, but the process must get started as soon as possible. Make the customers aware of your policy on confidentiality. A by-line can be added to your invoices to ensure customers know about the safety of their data when having their phones serviced.
Another important factor in building trust is sticking to a delivery schedule. There are times when politely declining the job is the best course of action, such as when parts aren't readily available, or you're unfamiliar with the model in question.
3. Additional revenue items
- Support services: A lot of people are confused with the variety of smartphone features available today. You can start a business advising people on how to get the most out of their phones. You can assist them in locating and downloading useful apps and shortcuts for social media use. In particular, this service will come in handy for the elderly. Sales of mobile devices over the internet are on the rise, thanks to expanding e-commerce. As a support associate for some of the most popular brands in your area, you can assist customers with their first-time use and setup.
- Selling other items: Offering mobile phone accessories, such as covers and cases, earphones, phone chargers, storage devices, and other such items can help you grow your revenue.
Also Read: Essential Steps to know when starting mobile case business
Conclusion
How much value you add to your customers' lives is the key to your mobile repair business's success. What matters most is the quality of your service and customer relations, so it is up to you to decide how many stories to build. Because smartphone usage is increasing, mobile repair technicians have a promising future. A mobile repair business, if run correctly, can be very lucrative and bring in a lot of cash. However, to become a reputable business, it is necessary to offer high-quality spare parts and services. Customers can be asked for their feedback on your services to help you improve even more. This will help you better understand what customers think of your products and services. That way, you'll be able to make plans based on the needs of your products or services. You can also give out special discounts or gifts on various occasions throughout the year.
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