- 55% of US SMBs who are using automation to offset operating expenses are doing so for research, scheduling and data analysis
- 10% of businesses are more likely to invest in automation tools rather than making layoffs (3%)
- From inventory management to marketing and content creation, AI is increasingly handling routine workplace tasks
Website Builder Expert latest survey reveals that US small and medium-sized businesses are actively using AI and automation tools to replace routine manual workplace tasks, as a way to offset operational costs.
Results showed that of the 55% of US SMBs who are using automation to offset operating expenses, the most popular uses include market research (55% of SMBs), as well as scheduling and calendar management (55% of SMBs).
AI investment favored over cutting staff
10% of SMBs say they are investing in efficiency and automation tools, while just 3% are reducing headcount or freezing hiring. This suggests that businesses are turning to technology rather than layoffs to help manage costs.
According to the data, among US SMBs prioritising automation technology, the six most common manual tasks being automated include:
1. Market Research
Over half (55%) of SMBs say they use automation tools to gather and analyse market insights, reducing the need for manual research and reporting.
2. Scheduling and Calendar Management
55% of businesses are using automation to manage scheduling and calendars, helping to organise appointments, coordinate meetings and reduce day to day admin.
3. Data Analysis
More than half (52%) of businesses use AI to process and interpret business data, allowing them to generate reports faster and make decisions with greater accuracy.
4. Inventory Management
Automation technology is being used by 52% of US SMBs to track inventory and manage supply chains, helping them anticipate demand, avoid shortages and adjust stock in real time.
5. Writing Tasks
Nearly half (48%) of businesses use AI to create content like emails and marketing copy, making campaigns faster to produce, more consistent in tone, and easier to scale across channels.
6. Personalised Marketing
42% of SMBs are using automation to tailor marketing in real time, helping them run more targeted campaigns, increase conversion rates, and build longer‑term customer loyalty.
- Top tasks businesses shouldn’t delegate to AI:
Of the 55% of US SMBs who are using automation to offset operating expenses, there are some particular tasks that SMBs aren’t automating as much:
- Cyber security measures (0% of SMBs)
- Legal research (27% of SMBs)
- Design tasks (30% of SMBs)
- Document classification (30% of SMBs)
The tasks listed above are considered to be more high-risk, and can involve sensitive customer information, or require human oversight.
While an AI-generated typo can be edited in just a few seconds, a security breach or legal issue could take your business months to resolve. It could even inflict damage you can’t recover from. In these instances, it is best to rely more on human expertise for critical tasks.
- 4 tips for efficient workplace automations:
Before business leaders begin automating key tasks in 2026, remember to:
- Assess your requirements (Ask yourself, “what tasks do I need streamlined?”)
- Check your budget
- Compare tools on the market, looking at scope, pricing, and ease-of-use
- Consider your team’s needs and if they’ll require onboarding and training
Editor of Website Builder Expert, Lucy Carney, comments: “In light of steeper operational costs, it’s interesting to see that 10% of SMBs are using automation as their main strategy to offset this financial pressure. What I found fascinating when digging deeper here, is the types of tasks being automated – heavy manual jobs like market research and scheduling are most commonly replaced. This shows the shift away from cutting staff towards getting more value from staff time by freeing them up to work on less repetitive tasks.”
