AI for Small Business: Where to Start in 2026
You've heard the hype. Here's what AI actually does for businesses your size — and what to try first.
Three Actionable AI Use Cases
Customer Support Automation: AI chatbots handle ~70% of repetitive inquiries. Setup: €1,000–€3,000, monthly savings: €500–€2,000. Content Generation: Draft blog posts, social captions, product descriptions with human review (~5 min per piece). Cost: ~€30/month. Process Automation: Data entry, invoice dispatch, lead qualification. Setup: €800–€2,000, zero ongoing cost.
Limitations and Realistic Expectations
AI struggles with strategic thinking and deep business understanding. Instead of vague directives like 'grow my business,' assign specific tasks.
Cost Reality
Subscription services: €20/month. Custom integrations: €1,000–€5,000. The real expense involves planning, implementation management, and monitoring — not the technology itself.
Evaluation Framework
Five questions: Do team members perform repetitive tasks? Do customers ask identical questions? Is content production capacity limited? Do processes follow consistent patterns? Could automation free 5+ hours weekly?
Conclusion
AI isn't magic. It's a tool. Success depends on identifying which repetitive tasks warrant automation first. Start small, measure results, then expand.
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