Database clean-up and upkeep for small businesses

Small retailers, trades companies, clinics, non-profits and online shops whose records live in spreadsheets, CRMs or accounting software.

Fixed price per clean-up project, plus a monthly retainer for ongoing maintenance, backups and reporting.

• Spreadsheets and SQL basics
• Attention to detail
• Explaining technical things plainly

• Privacy law: check how PIPEDA or your province's privacy rules apply when handling customers' personal information
• Quebec has its own privacy law (Law 25) and French-language expectations, check if you work there
• Professional liability (errors and omissions) and commercial general liability insurance, ask a broker what fits
• Always back up client data before changing it and put access terms in a written contract
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $300 to $2,500, depending on the software, backup tools and insurance you choose. Working from home keeps overheads low, though professional liability cover is worth discussing with a broker.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,500, depending on how many clients you have and how much regular monthly upkeep work you add to one-off clean-ups. Hours start at around 8 a week.

Check how PIPEDA or your province's privacy rules apply to customers' personal information. If you work in Quebec, check Law 25 and French-language expectations. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and what insurance fits.