IT services have become an indispensable part of the business landscape in small, mid-sized, and large companies alike. The need for IT infrastructure and support is a fact of life in the digital age, but the key question facing many organizations is whether it’s better to hire permanent staff or outsource their IT needs to freelance professionals.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) typically serve as the point of contact between businesses and outsourced IT services, brokering contracts that suit the individual needs of their clients. Yet, many would-be buyers are reluctant to outsource their IT needs, largely because they’re under the spell of some common misconceptions. Debunking these misconceptions is an important strategy for MSPs looking to grow their business.

Here are some common myths about IT outsourcing and the truth behind them:

Myth #1: It costs more. Cloud computing has greatly diminished the costs of IT outsourcing. MSPs can now offer fixed monthly fee schedules that can save businesses 25 to 30 percent on the cost of hiring permanent IT staff.

Myth #2: It’s less secure. Many MSPs now offer packages with continuity, security, and recovery services, which can give clients great peace of mind.

Myth #3: It costs people jobs. Outsourcing IT services helps businesses concentrate their resources on internal growth, which actually helps create more jobs in the long run.

Myth #4: Outsourcing IT only makes sense for larger firms. Outsourcing IT services helps small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) take better advantage of emerging technologies, which in turn helps to level the playing field between them and their bigger competitors.

Myth #5: Businesses lose control when they outsource. MSPs should be up front with clients in regards to physical and cloud-based infrastructure controls, points of access, and security features. Buyers tend to be put at ease when they’re shown exactly how the infrastructure works and exactly who is managing it.

Myth #6: Outsourcing and hiring internally are mutually exclusive. There’s no reason a business can’t hire full-time professionals to tackle ongoing, high-priority IT needs while outsourcing others. The more flexible the solutions MSPs can offer, the better their chances of selling a client on their merits.

Myth #7: Outsourcing makes compliance difficult. Because compliance regulations are standardized, MSPs have to meet them all the time. This is especially true of MSPs who deal with a lot of different businesses in a particular industry.

Myth #8: In-house service is more prompt and efficient. In today’s world of instant communication, prompt and efficient service is just a click or a Skype call away. Businesses can enjoy the same service standards with greatly reduced costs by outsourcing their IT needs.

Myth #9: Highly specialized applications won’t be supported. Again, this is simply not true; MSPs can provide specially tailored, highly specific service packages on a pay-per-use basis, giving clients access to even the most specialized applications at a lower cost.

Helping clients see past these misconceptions can help MSPs grow their businesses and build a larger, more loyal base of buyers. As cloud computing continues to evolve, companies are likely to continue to migrate towards outsourcing their IT services. The faster these myths are dispelled, the sooner that transition will complete–and the more business MSPs will stand to win.