Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for businesses, and AI has been referred to as "the next big thing" in the business world in recent years. But today, talk about artificial intelligence is no longer about future speculation, but rather a tangible reality, and the stories that filled the news about ChatGPT are only evidence of that. It is also no longer limited to large companies such as self-driving cars, but startups and small companies can benefit from it as well. So we have an opportunity to benefit from the developments of artificial intelligence in the business world, but how?

This article we review four ways in which small businesses can leverage AI to boost their growth and gain a competitive advantage:

1- Enhancing customer service: While customer service often requires a human touch, AI can make it more efficient. AI's efficiency is evident in its ability to serve as an initial point of contact for responding to customer inquiries. Thanks to AI advancements, conversational robots have become more effective in written and spoken communication, even in different languages. They can efficiently handle customer queries and provide personalized experiences by understanding and responding to customer needs.

The benefits of using AI in customer service extend beyond cost reduction. AI can collect and reuse customer information, offering clear insights into customer requirements and desires. It can use data for predictions, identify areas of improvement, and even indicate potential expansions or advanced services, ensuring customer satisfaction.

Some popular AI tools that can enhance customer service: (ChatGPT, IBM Watson Assistant, LivePerson, Ada, Salesforce Einstein, Bold360, Nuance Nina, Zendesk Answer Bot).

2- Improving email interactions: Dealing with a large volume of customer emails, tracking requests, responding to inquiries, and managing other tasks can lead to chaos even in well-organized teams. Slow and inadequate responses to customer queries can frustrate customers and create a negative perception of a company's brand.

Email robots offer various solutions to overcome the challenges associated with managing email correspondence. They automate comprehensive response services, including addressing pricing inquiries, product quality, delivery services, order updates, and more. They can also escalate more complex messages to the appropriate department within the company. With advancements in robotics, the tone and language can be tailored to enhance communication with customers. This saves time in addressing repetitive customer queries that can be resolved through automated responses.

Some popular AI tools that can help improve email interactions: Grammarly, Crystal, Boomerang, PoliteMail, Respondable by Boomerang (AI-powered tool integrated with popular email platforms like Gmail), Clearbit Connect, X.a.

3- Marketing and sales: AI has numerous applications in the field of marketing. The main advantage of using AI in marketing is that decision-making and communication processes are based on accurate and comprehensive data. AI applications provide a more holistic and accurate view of sales, helping create customer prospect lists and identify strengths and weaknesses before planning marketing campaigns. One survey found that 61% of sales teams exceeded revenue targets by leveraging automation in their sales processes. AI can also be employed to analyze sales data and marketing performance, facilitating better decision-making.

Some popular AI tools that can be useful for marketing and sales: Salesforce Einstein, Marketo Engage, HubSpot Sales Hub, Drift, InsideSales Predictive Playbooks, Gong.io, Conversica, IBM Watson Marketing.

4- Blog writing and search engine optimization (SEO): AI helps increase the quantity and quality of blog content by significantly reducing writing and editing time. It does so by inputting and analyzing keywords, determining their appropriate usage and distribution, and formulating or restructuring sentences and paragraphs related to the keywords. AI simplifies content writing and blog optimization, saving time and effort, reducing errors, and enhancing content quality. In fact, one study indicated that the use of AI by marketers increased from 29% in 2018 to 84% in 2020.

Some popular AI tools that can be useful for blog writing and search engine optimization (SEO): Frase, SEMrush, Surfer SEO, Clearscope, WordLift, MarketMuse, Yoast SEO, TextOptimizer.

Determining the best AI tool to use depends on several factors and considerations, such as: your needs, ease of use, compatibility of the tool with your existing systems, software, or platforms, scalability, pricing of the tool, flexibility and customization within other factures. It is recommended to thoroughly evaluate different AI tools based on the user's specific context and requirements before making a decision.

By leveraging AI in several areas, startups can gain a competitive advantage by streamlining operations, improving customer experiences, and making data-driven decisions. By embracing AI, small businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth and remain competitive in an increasingly data-centric digital business environment.