Service providers are always investing in a bunch of tools and software to make their job easy. But for a change, we thought we’d show you how tools and software that help you create new services or increase the value of your services.

A HelpDesk System. Look for those in particular that will allow you to create many desks from one installation, called ‘sattelites’. Why? Many business owners are intimidated by the whole process of a helpdesk. Small wonder, there’s plenty of jargon floating around and people are very confused what they need or don’t need. So you take that out of the equation. Tell them you will provide the helpdesk. All the customer needs to do is tell you what email address they are using (with login information). Because they no longer have to worry about that, yet the software has some value, you can charge a premium on customer support services.

A project management system. Same reasons as the helpdesk. While some clients will want you to use their own, there will also be plenty of others who do not use one. Use the additional perceived value to increase your rates.

Premium plugins like Wishlist. While it is just as easy to promote a plugin as an affiliate, some clients may not necessarily get excited over a plugin. What they are excited about is the final result – what they want. So if what they want requires a premium plugin, bundle it into your project price. True, you may have to support the client but remember, support = maintenance fee.

A web conference room. Many business owners don’t hold regular conferences and still want to be able to take advantage of web conference services when they hold that occasional webinar to promote a product. Save them the cost of investing a monthly fee, build a new service or premium package around the room.

Even though software is relatively cheap these days, but $10 here, $20 there add up. To make it harder, a lot of software today is sold as a service, which means recurring payments that some are not ready to do. By taking that off their minds, you get to use what you like and know best plus add value to your services. No matter what you think, ‘software included’ is a very appealing proposition.

What else can you think of? Share your thoughts below.