How to Start an iPhone Repair Business
Do you know that iPhone repair is actually thriving? According to Tim Cook, last year, Apple recorded 1.4 billion active devices in the world and a whopping 900 million are iPhones. If we add that to the rate at which active Apple devices grow on a yearly basis, which is 100 million in recent times, then that means about 1 billion (or more) iPhones are being used globally. In this article, you will learn how you can start your own iPhone repair business.
Statistics have also shown that one out of three iPhone users in the United States get their phones fixed each year, which means that there is huge demand for iPhone repair services since lots of iPhones will need fixing. The average independent iPhone repair business owner makes between $55,000 and $70,000 annually.
This article explains:
- What favors starting an iPhone repair business
- What to have or know about starting an iPhone repair business
- What to consider before starting an iPhone repair business
- Practical steps to starting an iPhone repair business
What favors starting iPhone repair business?
It is only natural for anyone who wants to start a business to have some fears and worries here and there as to what the outcome of the business would be and it will please you to know that there are some factors that make this business the right one for you.
Apple’s reputation
Having an iPhone repair business has its benefits and chief among these reasons why this business is profitable has a lot to do with the manufacturer themselves. Apple’s reputation for making slick and well-crafted pieces of mobile technology precedes them along with the notion that it can be just as expensive. This is good news for someone like you who intends to start an iPhone repair business because you now know that the average customer will have little to complain about regarding how much you charge. Apple does not only sell expensive smartphones, they don’t fix them cheap either. In fact, an iPhone 5S screen replacement at Apple (out of warranty) is $129 while it costs only $79.99 to fix the same screen at other independent iPhone repair centers like Amazon. It costs between $75 and $300 to repair a broken iPhone screen, which is not cheap (depending on phone model), and this goes to show how willing people are to pay good money to repair their iPhones. With the way Apple has set the tone for the rest of the independent iPhone repair businesses, you will make good profit as soon as you start getting customers through your door.
Apple repair stores also have a reputation when it comes to customer service; it is not the fastest in the business. Customers have complained of how much time it took to get their iPhones back after a long wait. It takes hours and even days, depending on what the problem is with the iPhone, for Apple repair centers to fix iPhones and then hand them over to their owners. People would have to wait for hours to get an iPhone screen fixed- whereas this process takes less than an hour at some independent iPhone repair centers. The amount of frustration the delay can cause has made more people to completely shun designated Apple phone repair centers. This is another huge factor which will ensure that you keep getting customers.
Another aspect of this business that highlights its potential is that it presents a big opportunity for expansion. Apple is planning to expand their iPhone repair centers to every part of the world, including developing countries and it still is yet to happen. This is an opportunity for any iPhone repair business owner who has the funds to expand their own business as well to other regions as there are countless numbers of iPhone users worldwide who would benefit from such services.
A very obvious downside of this business is Apple breathing down your neck. They can take your breath away (not in a romantic way) if you let them get to you. Their obsession for control over everything that goes on with their products, and fear of losing too much to their competitors, is what fuels their many guidelines that anyone who wants to repair iPhones for a living has to follow. You will be able to fix iPhones if they award you a certificate and before you open your business you will need technicians certified by them if not, you can’t be given a license. The most frustrating part is that even if you meet all the necessary requirements, they can still decide not to give you a chance to even apply. They keep doing everything possible to make sure that third-party accessories don’t work with their devices yet they only make independent iPhone repair centers have access to some and not all of the necessary iPhone spares they need for their businesses.
What to have or know
Before you start your own iPhone repair business, there are a few things you must know which will put you in a good position to face challenges that could arise in the business.
Experience as an iPhone technician
The first thing about having an iPhone repair business is literally repairing broken iPhones and it takes only an iPhone technician to do that. Before making efforts to set up your own business in this field, get some work experience that is related to it. Start working either for Apple or an independent iPhone repair center and gain enough experience and get better at the job so that you will have one less thing to worry about when you go solo.
To become an iPhone technician, you must first be certified by Apple and then you are free to operate on iPhones. Apple always makes sure that they are in control of everything that concerns their products, especially the iPhone, and they recognize that they have competitors so they make sure to set things up in a way that makes even competitors depend on them. One of such ways is by making sure that even the hands that would be touching any iPhone part must be approved by them that’s why they set up a certification process for technicians and without one, you may not be able to operate as an iPhone fixer. Since Apple has stopped giving people certifications, unless you are an employee of one of their Apple Authorized Service Providers, you will need to be employed by one in order to access the online training materials. The two certifications there are to be offered are the Apple Certified Mac Technician and the Apple Certified iOS Technician for technicians. Once you meet Apple’s requirements and pass their exam, they’ll award you a certificate.
Having experience in other aspects of running an iPhone repair center like ordering iPhone spares and accessories, attending to customers on the phone, online or physically, and replacing faulty parts with new ones will put you in a great position to start your business.
Apple’s independent repair provider license
What Apple is saying essentially is this: we are in control of your existence. Apple takes its prized asset very personal and wants to make sure that whoever is going to be responsible for caring for their “babies” must meet certain standards set by them of course. This is also a way of being in control. Apple makes it clear that before you start your own iPhone repair business, you must first be deemed worthy by them and in order to do this, you will need to apply to Apple’s independent repair provider program and if all things go well, your business will be approved by Apple. They have different criteria for selecting eligible candidates for the program. One of the big requirements is that any independent iPhone repair center must have Apple certified technicians. If you’re already certified by Apple, that’s good news but if not (especially if you only intend to run the business and not be the one who fixes the iPhones) then make sure you have Apple certified technicians working with or for you.
Apart from having an Apple certified technician, being granted license by Apple will make sure that you have access to some original Apple accessories and spares that will be needed to repair iPhones. According to Apple, having a certified technician does not guarantee an entry into the program as Apple has the right to reject your application without telling you why, but without it you have no chance of getting in. your business will be affected badly if you cannot get original Apple accessories and spares because Apple is doing everything possible to make sure that third-party accessories, including batteries, are not compatible with their devices.
A degree in IT-related courses
A degree in any relevant field in this regard will give them an edge over others in the business. Although it is not entirely necessary to have a science or IT background, there will always come a time when that extra knowledge will be the defining moment when things hang on a balance. This academic achievement will also be one of the things that will boost your chances of securing a job as an iPhone technician at Apple or any other top independent iPhone repair center which you will need to gather some experience in the business. There are institutions that offer online and offline classes to IT students and some even offer short courses for free in other IT-related courses, depending on what suits you. CompTIA also offers IT certifications like the CompTIA A+ which will make you capable of working on operating systems from different companies including Apple.
Read Also: How to start computer repair business
What to consider
This is a type of business which requires that different important factors must be considered before making the actual steps to get it running. Proper consideration of these factors will bring you success in the business.
Franchising
Starting an iPhone repair business requires that you consider what will be suitable for you and profitable for your business as time goes on. People don’t joke with their iPhones; it is both expensive and a real work of art, as far as smartphones are concerned. You must understand that in this business, it is not just your customers you should be worried about keeping happy, you will also have to impress Apple if you want to be given a chance in this business. Now, if you want to keep both Apple and your customers happy, you must make sure that you have all the necessary tools and show that you are more than capable of fixing iPhones and starting from scratch might mean that you won’t have all the funds to do that, and even if you did have the money to get all that is necessary it would still take some time before you start making enough money to run the business which is why you should consider buying a franchise.
There are already popular and trusted iPhone repair companies that you can buy a franchise from. It is not an easy feat to get a license to be an independent iPhone Servicing Centre and buying a franchise from the top guys would make that easy since you would be running the business under their name. Buying a franchise will make you understand a lot more things and secrets to running this sort of business while bearing some of the risks albeit with less control and money from the business to your name. You would also have more help from the parent company in different forms as you run the business. Buying a franchise will help you get ready for the real world where you start taking full responsibility and have more rivals to compete with.
Location
Before you make up your mind on setting up this sort of business, you will also need to consider the location. The important aspects in this area your focus should be is looking out for competition and setting up shop that will be easy to access in the area. For your business to survive, you must first look out for your biggest competitor’s presence, which of course is an Apple iPhone repair center, and then other independent iPhone repair centers. The average iPhone user’s first choice when it comes to repairing their broken iPhone is an Apple phone repair center and opening an iPhone repair store not far away from there could hurt your chances of getting customers. The same applies to other top independent iPhone repair centers; you will be putting your business in harm’s way by siting it close to them.
The first thing you should do is to check the area to see if there are any other iPhone repair centers, if there are not more than one already in the vicinity then you should consider opening your shop there. The second thing will be to make sure that your repair shop can be easily reached so that people will see it as another reason to stop by. Apple iPhone repair centers are not everywhere and to get to them, some have to move out of their locality and this is something you can take advantage of and really consider before siting your business. Make sure that your servicing shop is close to where most of the inhabitants live. For example, if you decide to set up your iPhone servicing center in a particular town, as long as you’re sure you don’t have too much competition there, work on opening your store near the mall, recreation center or anywhere they can easily access.
Pricing
In order to stay in business, you must consider how you choose to charge your customers and with extra pointers you will make decisions in this area that will benefit your business. Since everyone knows how expensive iPhones can be and how much repairing broken iPhones can cost, it will be only be wise to make sure that you get the pricing of your services right. You must remember that Apple knows exactly what it is at stake and how much they are losing to smaller competitors like you and that’s why they keep making measures to restrict your power however they can. They are responsible for the materials, iPhone spares, batteries, and other necessary accessories that you will need to fix people’s phones thus they will not sell most of these cheap. As a business person, you always try to get goods cheap so that at the end of the day you can sell them at a reasonable price but if they don’t come cheap then it won’t be easy to sell them at an affordable rate. Consider how you will charge your customers after purchasing the parts they need to replace on their iPhones before you start because if people find out that you charge the same fee as Apple, then why shouldn’t they go there instead?
Check the price list of some of the most common parts that get replaced, like the screen and battery for example, and compare how much Apple and other independent iPhone repairers charge. After doing that, you should look at how much you think will be profitable for your business and affordable for customers and if you find out that you can still make money while you fix iPhones cheaper after all the extra expenses, then proceed.
You should also know how to pick your battles in this business because some iPhone spares are expensive while others are not. As you start your business, you may consider dealing with some problems and not necessary all. The ones that will look too expensive on your part should be discouraged; you should ask the customer to visit an Apple phone repair center instead. This will save you money and your service will look affordable.
And if you can afford it, try to give extra offers like better warranty that appeal to customers so that they will have one more reason to ditch others for you. The more affordable your services are, the more your chances of securing more customers.
Read Also: How Do You Price Your Product?
Practical steps to starting an iPhone repair business
Make a business plan
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. The perfect guide to starting and maintain a successful iPhone repair business is a plan of how the you wish to run the business. What you want to name your business must be in tune with the business idea; let the name be enough to explain what the business is all about. Where you wish to site your business, what you expect to work for or against you, where you see the business in a few years and what you need in order to get the business started, the manpower the business will require- including all the financial implications of establishing the business and more- must be clearly stated in your business plan. You should also open a separate bank account for your business; it will protect you in case your business is being sued.
Get the required license to operate
To repair iPhones, you must meet certain requirements as stipulated by Apple and you will also need a license to operate in the area where your business will be sited which will be granted by the government of the location. Therefore, the moment you set your mind on siting your business in a particular city or state, make sure to visit the appropriate governmental establishment in charge of granting businesses like yours license to function for you to know what exactly they will require of you.
Get resources and open
Now that you have the go-ahead from the necessary authorities, you may go ahead and get the various equipment, machinery and manpower to work for you. The marketing aspect should be spearheaded by you and you can start through social media advertising, make flyers and posters, and have a business card and look for every opportunity to hand it out to someone. The moment you are done putting everything in place, you are set to open your store.
Conclusion
Owning an iPhone repair business is profitable, but one of the major challenges is keeping up with Apple and as soon as you know more about how the industry works, you will begin to figure out better ways to enjoy running the business. Start right away and grow your business: Apple is yet to set up iPhone repair stores in many regions and if you plan properly, you might just beat them to it.
