What Is an AI Agent For Small Business? 

Are you using an artificial intelligence (AI) agent for your small business? If not, why not try one out. AI agents are all the rage as we see entrepreneurs training these digital partners to keep tasks on track, boost customer service, and make daily operations smoother. 

Owning a small or medium-sized business (SMB) is no small feat. According to the Small and Medium Business Trends Report, over 58% of SMBs already use AI to simplify their operations and deliver more personalized customer experiences. An AI agent is more than just a tool — it’s a partner in your growth. Let’s explore how it can become a vital part of your business.

What we’ll cover:

• What is an AI agent for small business?
• Benefits of using an AI assistant in small businesses
• Key features of AI agents
• Spotlight on Agentforce 360
• Real-world use cases of AI agents for SMBs
• Challenges and limitations of AI agents
• The future of AI agents in small business
• Take the next step with Agentforce 360

What is an AI agent for small business?

An AI agent for small business is an intelligent technology partner that handles routine tasks, offers insights, and connects to your customers. AI agents use technologies like natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and predictive analytics to keep operations smooth, automate workflows, personalize marketing, forecast sales trends, optimize inventory, and provide real-time customer support.

For example, Salesforce’s AI-powered customer relationship management (CRM) helps to get your customer data ready for AI. It manages customer inquiries, schedules meetings, and predicts sales trends. For example, if a customer asks about an order, the AI agent can check inventory, provide updates, and even suggest related products. It can also analyze sales data to forecast demand and helps your sales team prioritize leads.

Benefits of using an AI assistant for SMBs

So, what can an AI assistant for your small business do for you? Here are the key benefits:

Increase your efficiency 

Automating tasks like scheduling, responding to customer questions, and managing data saves time. With AI agents working 24/7, you won’t miss opportunities, even when you’re off the clock. 85% of SMB sales teams using AI report better time management and more accurate sales forecasts. Imagine how much easier things could be with AI by your side.

Keep costs down

AI helps you reduce the need for extra hands for routine work. It keeps costs down. Over 60% of SMB desk workers already use or plan to use generative AI (Gen AI), showing how AI can help you get more done without overstaffing. The savings can be reinvested in marketing or new product development.

Improve your customer service

AI analyzes customer interactions and responds with personalized messages. It’s like having an always-open customer service department. In fact, 80% of customers value their experience with a company as much as the products or services they buy. AI can pick up on changes in a customer’s buying habits and send them special offers. With AI assisting you in customer service, you can deliver top-notch support.

Enhance your decision-making

AI provides real-time insights that help you make better decisions. You can see which products are trending or which marketing campaign is working best. 71% of SMB marketing teams use AI to turn data into action. If you want to learn more about making data-driven decisions, check out the benefits of CRM.

Scale your small business

As your business expands, your AI agent grows right alongside it. It adapts to handle more customers and complex processes. For example, you can upgrade your Starter Suite to Pro Suite to get AI features for your business. And, you can activate Foundations to get Agentforce at any time.

Key features of small business AI agents

To get the most out of a small business AI assistant, look for these key features:

• Task automation: AI agents handle repetitive tasks like setting up meetings or sending follow-up emails. 90% of SMB marketing teams use AI to automate customer interactions, giving you more time to focus on building relationships.
• Personalized marketing: 87% of SMBs use AI for personalized experiences, leading to happier customers. AI tailors customer interactions based on their needs and past behavior. This means delivering messages that resonate, even with hundreds of customers. 
• Operations management: AI tools assist in streamlining operations by automating workflows and optimizing team collaboration. You can prioritize your tasks, optimize workflows, and help your teams focus on high-priority work and ensuring projects stay on track
• Data analytics and reporting: AI can analyze customer data and offer insights across various analytics, like tracking account activity or identifying key sales opportunities.. In fact, 88% of SMB marketing teams use AI for data integration, gaining a clearer view of customer behavior.
• Integration: AI agents work well with your CRM and other tools, making the shift to AI-powered processes smooth. When you connect AI with Slack, a messaging platform designed for team communication and collaboration, your team stays connected no matter where they are.

Spotlight on Agentforce 360

Agentforce is Salesforce’s agentic layer that brings AI directly into your CRM, automating tasks, analyzing data, and personalizing customer interactions. Agentforce agents analyze data, build plans, and execute them in real time.  It allows you to have conversations with your data, making it easier to gain insights and take action. It can operate autonomously across various platforms like self-service portals and messaging channels, handling tasks proactively within set guardrails.

Real-world examples of AI assistants for small businesses

AI agents are changing businesses across various industries. Here’s how they’re making a difference:

• Retail virtual agents: An AI agent for retail answers customer questions, and suggests products. Imagine an online store where AI recommends products to shoppers based on their past purchases — no extra staff needed, just better results.
• Healthcare AI tools: Health and Life Sciences AI agents help with scheduling, patient follow-ups, and collecting feedback, freeing up your team to focus on patient care. It manages appointment bookings and reminders, leading to better experiences.
• Service industry chatbots:AI for customer service speeds up response times, and boosts client satisfaction. Whether you’re in real estate, hospitality, or professional services, AI handles inquiries and bookings fast.

Challenges and solutions for AI agents

As you begin this journey into AI agents, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to challenges (and we’ve supplied the solutions for you):

Challenge #1: Getting an AI agent up and running can take some time, especially when it comes to training. Your team may struggle initially with the steep learning curve and might need ongoing support to effectively use AI
Solution #1: With support, the right tools, and some guidance, the process becomes simple. Salesforce provides you with all that to help you understand how to work alongside AI tools on Trailhead, Salesforce’s learning platform.

Challenge #2: Integrating AI agents with existing systems and workflows can be complex, particularly in organizations with diverse and legacy systems. Compatibility issues, data migration problems, or software bugs may disrupt workflows.
Solution #2: Salesforce offers integration capabilities to ensure seamless connectivity between AI agents and existing systems. You can conduct thorough planning and mitigate business challenges to ensure smooth workflows.

Challenge #3: When AI handles customer data, keeping it safe and following privacy rules is crucial. Concerns about data security and privacy can lead to hesitation in adopting AI technologies.
Solution #3: Salesforce helps protect sensitive information while letting you make the most of AI. With features like zero data retention and protection measures, Salesforce ensures that customer data is handled securely and in compliance with privacy regulations.

The future of AI agents in small business

AI  is evolving rapidly, and it’s an exciting time for you to get involved. According to the AI Connected Customer Report, 24% of customers expect AI to match human capabilities in the next five years. Here’s what you can expect to see soon:

AI tools are going to get even smarter. They’ll provide deeper insights and learn to adapt to your unique business needs. It can help you spot trends before they fully emerge, keeping you one step ahead of the competition.

As AI technology continues to become more embedded in our tools, more SMBs will embrace their benefits. The rise of generative AI (GenAI) for streamlining operations is already impressive, and the results speak for themselves. If you’re looking for ways to get started with AI, check out our guide on AI for SMB.

AI has the potential to open up new avenues for revenue, such as subscription services or digital tools. Many successful businesses are customizing AI tools to fit their specific needs, which helps them achieve outstanding results. This could be your chance to rethink your approach and explore innovative ways to expand. Right now, small business leaders are strategizing with AI, data, and CRM, and you’re a part of a history in the making.

Take the next step with an AI agent for your small business

AI agents for SMBs are prepping your future — they’re partners that help you grow and streamline your business. By adopting AI, you can automate tasks, make better decisions, and focus on what matters.

Start your journey with the Starter Suite today. Looking for more customization? Explore Pro Suite. Already a Salesforce customer? Activate Foundations and try out Agentforce today.

AI supported the writers and editors who created this article.