5 Step Buying Guide for Affordable Payroll Services

5 Step Buying Guide for Affordable Payroll Services

If you’re running a small business in Minneapolis or St. Paul, MN, you need a local payroll service. A payroll service ensures that your employees get the right amount of pay. Also, a payroll service can help you stay on top of other payments like tax payments and employee’s benefits or compensation.

For payroll services in Minneapolis, MN, you need a company with a proven track record. You will also need one that has systems and technologies in place to keep up with the times. Other than a brick-and-mortar location, affordability is a selling point of a good payroll service.

In this 5-step guide, we will show you how to find the right payroll services in St. Paul, MN, or Minneapolis, MN that you can afford and rely on. So, sit back, and follow these five steps to getting the right payroll service in your business’s corner!

Step 1: Identify What Your Business Needs

There are more than a hundred payroll services in Minneapolis, MN alone. St. Paul, MN has nearly the same number of companies. All of these companies can provide you with the basics in regard to payroll services. However, it would be misleading to say that all can be a perfect fit for your business.

It comes right down to what you need and want out of a payroll service. If you can determine the ones that cater specifically to startups or small businesses, you have a list of potential candidates.

Step 2: Decide on a Budget or How Much You are Willing to Pay for a Payroll Service

As a startup owner, money might be a consideration. Hiring a payroll service is not the most expensive investment and can actually help you save a significant amount of money. Payroll is a time consuming process and if you are a DIY type you could potentially be costing your business thousands in time and potential errors by not hiring an expert.

If you have no idea how much the average costs are, don’t worry. Luckily, a Google search can give you a range from which you can base your budget for outsourcing processes like payroll.

This conveniently brings us to the next step.

Step 3: Narrow Your Search Further with a Google Search

There is a reason Google seems to monopolize online traffic. Users need it for information and services. As a business owner, so do you.

Starting with a Google search is an efficient and easy way to shop around for the right payroll service. With Google’s local search algorithms in place, you are also likely to see payroll services that are close to you.

A Google search can even yield other valuable information about payroll services. One being client reviews. You will be able to determine your potential experience with a company’s payroll service if the company has many positive reviews. Granted, the satisfaction of past clients may not translate to yours. Be that as it may, you can at least get an idea.

Lastly, Google SERPs of payroll services can also tell you how much you have to pay. This information can be found on the Snack Pack results of the search engine results page. These are usually at the very top.

In short, Google allows you to narrow your options down to the handful you would be willing to hire.

Step 4: Ask Your Top Picks Certain Questions About Their Services

After your Google search, you will have determined a handful of companies you would like to consider. Once you have your list of payroll services, visit or get in touch with them.

Communication and availability are crucial to any partnership. To ensure easy reach, begin with this question:

“Why Should I Hire a Local Payroll Company in Minneapolis, MN?”

Indeed, the thought must have crossed your mind. In Minneapolis, MN, there are two types of firms that can help you with payroll: independent payroll providers and certified public accountants.

On the surface, not many responsibilities separate a payroll service from a CPA. This is where a payroll company has to market the additional advantages provided by their service. By asking this question, you put a payroll company at odds with CPA firms.

As a result, a payroll company would have to do its best to advertise to you the additional pros of their service. For instance, they can guarantee cloud storage of your payroll database for data protection.

Also, asking this question implies that you have the option to hire a CPA. By suggesting this, you put a payroll company in a position where they need to deliver the results they have guaranteed. All in all, you get your money’s worth

“On Top of the Costs Mentioned on Your Webpage or Ad, are There Other Costs I Should Know About?”

Sometimes, there are other costs aside from the one mentioned on a payroll service’s webpage. Asking this question allows you to determine the presence of additional or hidden costs. Also, some companies might have service charges for data additions like adding the payroll information of a new employee.

“What Technologies Do You Use?”

Payroll service companies are usually quick to advertise their app integrations. Of course, others may limit their tech usage to the basics like cloud storage and firewalls. Since you want a payroll service that gives you convenience, you might as well go with one that has:

  • Mobile app integration
  • Account access for employees
  • Payroll software to which you can also have access

“How Do I Sunset Your Services?”

It might seem too early to ask this question. However, it is one you need to ask. You will be able to determine the level of ease or difficulty involved in terminating a payroll company’s service.

Final Step: Select Your Payroll Service Provider

If you have found a payroll service that has the answers you are looking for (see step 4), the company may be the right fit. Besides, at this point, you will have determined the payroll service’s track record and service rating from the Google search you performed. Also, you will have already established from the search that the company has a brick-and-mortar presence.

Once you have selected your provider, submit all the requirements the service needs to integrate you into its system.

Final Thoughts

Follow these five simple steps when seeking a payroll service provider in Minneapolis or St. Paul. If you feel that you lack the time to shop around for payroll services in Minnesota or St. Paul, do not worry!

ICOMP provides payroll services for your startup in this part of Minnesota. We offer:

  • Mobile app integrations you can easily learn and use
  • Flexible services focusing on your unique business needs
  • Regular, real-time updates in tax, contributions, and benefits
  • The latest firewall and data security infrastructure and measures to keep your data private
  • Dedicated support specialists with direct phone lines and emails. We will never put you in a call center or make you wait on hold for hours.

For your startup’s payroll needs, look no further than ICOMP!

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