FREE RESOURCE · NO EMAIL REQUIRED
The SMB IT Readiness Checklist
Twenty-two questions every Pittsburgh or Cleveland small business should be able to answer about their technology. Red, yellow, and green rubric. The one next step to take for each. About twenty minutes to complete.
No email. No popup. No nonsense. The PDF opens in a new tab the moment you click.
PDF · 14 pages · 0.3 MB
SMB IT Readiness Checklist
Identity · Backups · Endpoint security · Network · Incident response · Vendors
- 22 scored questions across 6 domains
- Red, yellow, and green rubric per question
- "Next step" for every answer
- Self-score page + 30 / 90-day action plan
by KawaConnect, Pittsburgh & Cleveland IT consultants
What you get
22 scored questions
Across identity, backups, endpoint security, network, incident response, and vendors. Each question has a red, yellow, or green answer and a concrete next step.
Built for SMBs, not the Fortune 500
No frameworks to memorize, no compliance jargon. Written for an owner, an office manager, or a one-person IT team to complete in 20 minutes.
A 30 and 90-day action plan
End the checklist knowing the three things to fix this month and the three for next quarter. No vendor pitches. No upsells hidden in the copy.
OUR PROMISE
We did not put this behind an email form.
Download the full checklist without giving us anything. No popup stops you halfway. No “sign in to continue.” No dripped chapters. If you want the editable bonus pack (scoring sheet plus action plan template) emailed to you, the form below is optional. If you do not, just close the tab.
BONUS PACK · OPTIONAL
Want the editable templates and a short action plan emailed to you?
The checklist is the main thing and you already have it. If you want the editable scoring sheet (CSV) and one-page action plan template sent to your inbox, drop whatever fields you are comfortable sharing below. Every field is optional except the email address itself.
We will not sell your email, run drip campaigns, or follow up beyond two emails. Your information is stored on our servers only and used to reply to you.
A few honest answers
Why is this free with no email required?
Because hiding a 14-page checklist behind a form is a cheap way to buy email addresses, and we would rather earn the conversation. If the checklist is useful and you want to talk to us, we are easy to find.
Do I really not have to give you my email?
Really. The “Download the checklist” button above is a direct link to the PDF. No wall, no modal, no tracking pixel. Opening it just loads the file.
What happens if I do give you my email?
You get one email right away with the editable bonus pack (scoring sheet + action plan template). One week later, we send a short follow-up asking if the checklist was useful and offering a no-pitch 15-minute call. That is the entire sequence. No drip, no lists sold, no nurture campaign.
What do you do with my phone number, if I share it?
We only call if you ask us to. We will never cold-call, outsource, or share the number.
Can I just talk to someone now?
Yes. Call (412) 556-7007, email [email protected], or send a message from the Contact page.
PREFER A CONVERSATION?
A no-pitch, 15-minute readiness call.
Walk us through your answers. We point out what we would fix first and roughly what it costs. No slides, no contract, no follow-up unless you ask.
QUESTIONS
Questions about SMB IT readiness
What does IT readiness mean for a small business?
IT readiness means your business has the systems, security, and backups in place to keep running smoothly and recover quickly when something goes wrong. For a small business that usually covers reliable devices and networks, protected email and accounts with multi-factor authentication, endpoint security on every machine, current and tested backups, and a clear plan for who to call when an issue hits. Readiness is less about owning the newest hardware and more about knowing your gaps before they cause downtime, data loss, or a security incident. The SMB IT Readiness Checklist walks through 22 questions across identity, backups, endpoint security, network, incident response, and vendors, all in plain language so a non-technical owner can answer them. Working through it gives you an honest picture of where you stand and which gaps deserve attention first, which is the practical starting point for any improvement.
Who should use the SMB IT Readiness Checklist?
Any small or growing business that depends on computers, email, and the internet can use the SMB IT Readiness Checklist, and it is especially useful for owners and office managers without a dedicated IT person on staff. The 22 questions are written for non-technical readers, so you do not need an IT background to answer them or to understand why each one matters. It works whether you have five employees or fifty, and it fits service firms, retail, professional offices, and other small businesses across Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and the surrounding Tri-State region. If you already work with an IT provider, the checklist is still a useful way to confirm the basics are covered and to ask better questions. Construction and cannabis operators have their own tailored versions, but for most general small businesses this is the right place to start before deciding what, if anything, needs fixing.
What should I do after completing the checklist?
After completing the checklist, use your answers to spot the gaps that carry the most risk, such as missing or untested backups, weak account security, an unprotected network, or no plan for who handles a support emergency, and address those first. A simple way to prioritize is to fix anything that could cause data loss or a security breach before tackling convenience items, since those carry the highest cost if they fail. Working through all 22 questions usually surfaces two or three issues worth handling soon, so you are not left with an overwhelming list. If you would like help turning the checklist into a concrete action plan, KawaConnect offers a no-pitch 15-minute readiness call where we point out what we would fix first and roughly what it costs. You can also reach us anytime through our contact page or by calling +1 (412) 556-7007.
Can KawaConnect help fix the gaps the checklist finds?
Yes. KawaConnect provides managed IT, helpdesk, endpoint security, networking, firewalls, and Microsoft 365 support for small businesses across Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and the surrounding Tri-State region. Once the checklist shows where your gaps are, we can help close them and keep your systems monitored and maintained going forward, typically with a one-business-day reply on standard requests. We work both on site and remotely, so most issues can be handled without waiting for someone to drive out. You can engage us for a single project, such as setting up backups or hardening accounts, or for ongoing managed IT that prevents problems rather than just repairing them. If you already have an issue you need handled now, see our IT support options, or explore the software we build, including Tagestry and PryceHawk, for regulated, workflow-heavy businesses. Call +1 (412) 556-7007 to talk it through.