In today’s world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword for fancy tech companies - it’s a powerful tool that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and small businesses can use to streamline operations, cut costs, and stay ahead of the competition. Working with a small budget? Don’t worry. AI solutions are becoming more affordable and user-friendly, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Did you know over a third of small businesses are using AI?
If you’ve been wondering how AI can help your small business, this guide is for you. From automating repetitive tasks to engaging customers and winning new business, here’s how you can use AI tools to improve how your business is run.
Customer Service and Engagement
Chatbots: ChatGPT, Tidio and Intercom can respond to routine enquiries for you, such as order statuses or FAQs. This means your customers can get quick responses and leave you and your team to focus on more complex questions.
CRM: Use HubSpot to analyse your customer behaviour and send personalised recommendations. Maybe you want to encourage a customer you’ve not seen in a while to buy from you again; AI will help you figure out who you need to speak to and the sort of offer you can send them.
Customer Reviews: Tools like MonkeyLearn can analyse your customer reviews and mentions on social media to summarise how people feel about your business. With this information, you can make decisions about how to resolve concerns and improve customer satisfaction.
Automate Repetitive Tasks
Invoicing and Accounting: Xero and QuickBooks automate data entry, categorising your expenses, and tax calculations, reducing errors and saving time.
Email Marketing: Email marketing products like Mailchimp analyse your audience to send personalised emails at the right time, so more people can see what you're sending to them.
Inventory Management: AI systems can track stock levels and predict demand based on your customer and order information, making sure you always have the right products on hand.
Supercharge Your Marketing
Data Analysis: Google Analytics uses AI to turn raw data into actionable insights. For example, you can identify which marketing channels drive the most sales or which products are your best sellers. Maybe instead of focusing on social media posts, you’ll want to invest in your website instead.
Ad Campaign Optimisation: Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads use AI to target specific audiences and adjust bids, ensuring you get the most value for your budget.
Content Creation: Struggling to come up with engaging content? Tools like Jasper and Copy.ai can generate blog posts, social media captions, and ad copy in minutes.
Graphic Design: Canva’s AI features simplify design, allowing you to create professional graphics without hiring a designer.
Streamline Recruitment and HR Management
CV Screening: Zoho Recruit or HireVue use AI to filter CVs and highlight the best candidates for your business.
Employee Engagement: Platforms like CultureAmp collect and analyse employee feedback, helping you create a happier, more productive workplace.
So what’s stopping you?
Many AI tools have free or low-cost plans tailored to small businesses, so you can take advantage of them without a big investment. You don’t need a technical team to get started either - most tools are designed for anyone to use. Start by trying to improve one part of your business using a couple of tools, and go from there - you don’t need to do everything at once.
AI is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for SMEs looking to thrive in a competitive market. By starting small and choosing the right tools, you can automate routine tasks, engage customers more effectively, and make smarter decisions.
Want to learn more?
If you’re interested in learning more about using these AI tools in your business, check out CodeBase’s AI Navigator programme. Sign up to your local cohort and take steps to help your business grow.
