33 results found
Thryv just launched AI Lead Flow for small businesses. Here's an honest breakdown of what it does, what it costs, and who should skip it.
Choosing a popular tool vs custom-built isn't rebellion - it might be the most boring, responsible thing you do for your business this year.
Multi-step forms and chatbot pop-ups get all the buzz. A simpler above-the-fold layout quietly converts better for most small businesses.
Most booking system small business guides push expensive monthly subscriptions. Here's what a Bay Area dog groomer taught me about picking the right one.
The myth: your business data is automatically safe inside AI tools. The reality involves 47 pages of Terms of Service you definitely didn't read.
A step-by-step guide to automating the boring stuff in your business using free and cheap tools - no $800/mo software required.
Mailchimp is the default email marketing pick. For most small businesses, MailerLite does the same job for less - or free.
Most professional services sites skip the one page that actually converts visitors into leads. It's the online equivalent of never asking for the date.
Everyone assumes small businesses need MySQL or Postgres on a managed server. SQLite handles more than you think - and costs nothing to run.
Most small businesses pay for 14 features and use two. A smarter SaaS tool alternative approach saves money and actually works better.
A step-by-step guide to building AI agent workflows that handle real busywork - without enterprise software or a six-figure budget.
You're paying for 14 SaaS tools. You use three. Here's what happens when a small business owner finally audits the credit card statement.
Most small businesses grab Typeform or HubSpot for their signup forms. A custom-coded alternative tripled conversions for a Bay Area dental office.
Twenty years of solo developer lessons distilled into the stuff nobody puts in their LinkedIn posts. Freelance truths, told with dice rolls.
The monthly fee isn't the expensive part. AI vendor lock-in is - and most small businesses don't see it until they try to leave.
I went through a client's SaaS subscriptions tool by tool. $220/month across seven platforms. Two did the same thing. One hadn't been opened since October.
Zapier connects apps. AI actually thinks through tasks. Here are five workflows where the difference matters for small businesses.
Plugging Gmail, Drive, and Slack into your AI feels like magic until the bill arrives. Every connector is a firehose of raw data aimed at your token budget. Here is how to hand AI a clean payload inst...
No-code platforms are a $21 billion market. But the real question isn't which is better - it's which is cheaper for YOUR specific situation.
Most chatbot widgets answer questions nobody asked. Here's what happens when you build a custom AI chatbot trained on your actual business - with real numbers from real installs.
A real story about building a custom supply chain management system in PHP for a Bay Area food distributor - what worked, what broke, and what it actually cost.
Most small business websites lose leads at 9 PM when nobody's answering. An AI chatbot changes that math entirely.
Most small business websites lose leads after hours. An AI chatbot for small business website changes that - here's how it actually works, what it costs, and whether it's worth it.
Most AI tools overpromise and underdeliver. Here are the ones that actually work for small businesses - with real pricing, real examples, and zero hype.
A real look at Make.com - the AI automation tool I set up for plumbers, salons, and HVAC companies - and whether it's worth your money.
Most AI automation for small business is overhyped nonsense. Here's what actually saves time and money for real owners - tested by a developer who builds it.
What building an AI trading bot taught me about ai automation for small business - and why the same principles apply to your HVAC company or bakery.
New AI rules are hitting at the federal and state level. Here's what matters if you run a plumbing company, a bakery, or a med spa - not a Fortune 500.
Most small business owners think AI tools cost thousands. The real numbers tell a very different story - and some of the best tools cost nothing at all.
Missing customer questions after hours is costing you sales. Here's how Tidio's Lyro AI handles them automatically - and whether it's worth it.
Perplexity's Computer agent claims to replace hundreds of thousands in marketing software - for $20/month. Here's what it actually does for small businesses.
Tired of spending your Sunday nights scheduling posts? Metricool's AI features let small business owners automate social media without hiring a marketing team.
Every night your website goes dark and loses leads. Here's how Tidio's AI chatbot keeps answering customer questions while you sleep — for as little as $0/month.