(BPT) - If your small business doesn't have an online presence, you're getting in the way of your own success. According to a new survey by small business services platform GoDaddy, 89% of consumers say it is important for a small business to have a website, yet nearly a quarter of small businesses (24%) don't.
Maybe you've considered building a website or creating social media accounts for your small business, but lack the time or experience to do so. It's not surprising. Venture Forward, a small business research initiative, surveyed 6,000 entrepreneurs in the U.S. and U.K. and found that 42% of them cite difficulty marketing their businesses as a top challenge.
Artificial intelligence, however, is changing the game for small businesses. Emerging generative AI tools can instantly and inexpensively provide customized help to small businesses. GoDaddy survey respondents indicated they believe AI can save them more than $4,000 and 300 hours of work per year.
Here's how generative AI can help you create, build and grow your business's online presence, even with limited tech skills and tight time constraints.
1. Create your brand
Whether starting a business from scratch or taking your brick-and-mortar business online, you'll need some help creating your digital identity. For example, you may have a business name but no clue how to turn that into a memorable domain name. AI can help you get started on that journey instantly.
Even if you only have an inkling of an idea, a solution like GoDaddy Airo™ can recommend catchy domain names with just a quick description of your business. This may seem like a small step, but once you have a domain that resonates with your vision, all you have to do is register it, and your small business has officially gone digital.
2. Build your online presence
Now that you're online, it's time to build your business's presence. Plenty of platforms offer to do the heavy lifting when it comes to building a website. However, you'll still need to design graphics and draft content to populate your site, taking more time away from running your business. Plus, that work doesn't come naturally to everyone.
Instead of contracting with someone to develop your website, AI can be your web creator. AI solutions go as far as generating a fully built website with imagery and content to help you engage current and potential customers. From creating logos to professional email accounts to auto-generated product descriptions, there's a lot you can do with AI - even register your business as an LLC.
3. Grow your customer base
Once you've established your website, it's time to turn your attention to growing your business by capturing new customers. In the modern world, that means expanding the places your business shows up online.
This is not a one-and-done task. It takes continuous - weekly if not daily - attention.
Instead of taking on these tasks yourself, use AI to build email campaigns, a social media calendar and low-cost ads to draw traffic to your website. These simple activities are essential to the longevity of your business.
Are you ready to let AI work for you? GoDaddy Airo™ makes leveraging the power of AI easy for anyone wanting to start a business or take their existing one to the next level. Visit GoDaddy.com/ai to see everything generative AI can do for you.