AI for Small Businesses: What's Useful, What's Hype
AI can genuinely save small businesses hours every week — but not everywhere. An honest guide to what works today.
AI is everywhere in headlines, and most of it sounds like magic or nonsense. For a small business, the truth is in between: a handful of uses are genuinely valuable today, and the rest can wait.
What works now: AI chat assistants that answer common customer questions on your website at midnight; tools that draft social media posts and product descriptions in minutes; and smart search that helps customers find products in a large catalogue.
What's mostly hype for small businesses right now: replacing your accountant, fully automated marketing that 'runs itself', and anything promising guaranteed sales.
Our rule: AI should remove a chore you already do, not create a new one. If a tool doesn't save you time within the first month, drop it.