AI

Getting Started with AI for Your Small Business

• North Bend Digital
AISmall BusinessAutomationTools
AI technology concept with glowing neural network visualization

AI isn’t just for tech companies anymore. Small businesses are using AI tools every day to save time on tasks that used to eat up hours. Here’s how to get started — no coding required.

What Can AI Actually Do for You?

The most practical AI applications for small businesses aren’t the flashy ones you see in the news. They’re the boring, time-saving ones:

  • Email triage — AI can sort, prioritize, and even draft responses to routine emails
  • Scheduling — Smart assistants that handle back-and-forth booking without you
  • Data entry — Extract information from invoices, receipts, and forms automatically
  • Content drafts — Generate first drafts of social posts, emails, and descriptions
  • Customer FAQs — Chatbots that handle common questions 24/7

Getting Started: 3 Practical Steps

1. Pick One Pain Point

Don’t try to automate everything at once. What’s the one task that eats up the most time or causes the most frustration? Start there.

2. Try Free Tools First

Most AI tools have free tiers that are plenty powerful for getting started:

  • ChatGPT (free tier) for drafting content and brainstorming
  • Calendly for scheduling automation
  • Zapier (free tier) for connecting your apps

3. Build the Habit

AI tools only save time if you actually use them. Block 15 minutes to experiment, and commit to using your chosen tool for two weeks before evaluating.

Tools We Recommend

Here are the top AI tools experts recommend for small businesses in 2026:

AI Assistants & Productivity

  1. ChatGPT — The Swiss Army knife of AI. Use it for drafting content, brainstorming ideas, writing emails, and solving problems. The free tier is powerful enough for most small businesses.

  2. Microsoft Copilot — If you’re already using Microsoft 365, Copilot integrates directly into Word, Excel, and Outlook to help with documents, data analysis, and email management.

  3. Notion AI — Great for organizing projects, meeting notes, and documentation. The AI helps summarize, write, and find information across your workspace.

Automation & Workflows

  1. Zapier — Connects your apps and automates repetitive tasks without coding. Set up workflows like “when a form is submitted, add to spreadsheet and send confirmation email.”

  2. Lindy — A no-code AI assistant that can answer calls, route leads, book meetings, and handle customer support emails 24/7.

Content & Design

  1. Canva — Create professional marketing materials, social posts, and presentations. The AI features help with design suggestions, image generation, and copy.

  2. Adobe Firefly — For more advanced creative work, Firefly generates and edits images directly in Adobe’s creative tools.

Website & Online Presence

  1. Wix AI — Build a professional website quickly with AI-generated layouts, copy, and images. Includes built-in payments, SEO, and booking tools.

  2. GoDaddy Airo — Fast AI website builder with appointment booking, email marketing, and eCommerce — ideal for quick launches.

Customer Communication

  1. HubSpot — Free CRM with AI-powered email templates, meeting scheduling, and customer tracking. Grows with your business.

Pro tip: Don’t try to use all of these at once. Pick one tool that solves your biggest pain point, master it, then add another. Experts say AI tools can save 10–20 hours per week — but only if you actually build the habit of using them.

Have questions about using AI in your business? Get in touch — we’re happy to help.