page
Skip to main content

AI for Small Business: Actionable Checklist

A practical, guide for small business owners looking to grow with the help of AI tools. From understanding your market and streamlining operations to boosting sales and keeping customers engaged, it offers simple, actionable tasks paired with the right AI tools—most of which are free or beginner-friendly.

Download Checklist

AI Resources for Business Growth

Adobe Firefly
Resource

Adobe Firefly

A creative tool from Adobe that lets you generate images, text effects, and design elements just by typing what you want.

read more
QuickBooks Online
Resource

QuickBooks Online

This is an accounting software for small businesses that handles everything from invoicing and expense tracking to payroll and tax prep. It’s web-based, easy to use, and helps keep finances organized without needing to be a finance expert

read more
UIPath
Resource

UIPath

A leading automation platform that helps businesses get repetitive tasks off their plate. Whether it's data entry or system updates, UiPath uses bots to do the work faster and more accurately—saving time and reducing errors

read more
Tableau Public
Resource

Tableau Public

"A free data visualization tool that turns spreadsheets into interactive charts and dashboards. It’s often used by analysts and journalists to tell stories with data, and lets you share your work online with a wider audience. "

read more
CrowdStrike Falcon
Resource

CrowdStrike Falcon

"A cybersecurity platform focused on preventing breaches. It runs quietly in the background, watching for suspicious activity on devices and responding quickly to threats before they spread. "

read more
HubSpot CRM
Resource

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is a simple yet powerful tool that helps businesses manage contacts, track deals, and streamline sales and marketing efforts—all in one place.

read more

Related stories

Artificial Intelligence for Small Business: Key Takeaways from Dr. Ameya Pangarkar’s Podcast
Blog

Artificial Intelligence for Small Business: Key Takeaways from Dr. Ameya Pangarkar’s Podcast

Imagine a world where small businesses, from boutique clothing shops to home-based food ventures, can compete with industry giants without incurring significant costs. This isn’t a distant dream—it’s happening now, thanks to artificial intelligence for small business. In a captivating episode of the Dream Big podcast, hosted by the deAsra Foundation, Dr. Ameya Pangarkar, an AI expert and Google-certified digital marketer, shares how AI can transform operations, save time, and drive growth for small businesses.

read more
AI Tools for Small Business: Start with These 20 High-Impact Solutions
Blog

AI Tools for Small Business: Start with These 20 High-Impact Solutions

Running a small business can feel like juggling endless tasks with limited time and money. From marketing to bookkeeping, every second matters. Thankfully, AI tools for small businesses are making work easier, faster, and smarter. In a recent Dream Big podcast by the deAsra Foundation, Dr. Ameya Pangarkar, an AI expert and TEDx speaker, shared how AI solutions for business help small ventures compete with big players.

read more
AI for Small Business Marketing: Save Time, Boost Visibility, and Scale Fast
Blog

AI for Small Business Marketing: Save Time, Boost Visibility, and Scale Fast

For small business owners, marketing can feel like a full-time job—crafting posts, sending emails, and building a brand, all while managing daily operations. AI for small business marketing changes that offer smart, affordable ways to shine online. In a Dream Big podcast by the deAsra Foundation, AI expert Dr. Ameya Pangarkar revealed how AI tools for business help nano businesses compete with industry giants.

read more
AI for Small Business: How to Start Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Blog

AI for Small Business: How to Start Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Starting a small business is challenging enough without the added worry of mastering new technology like artificial intelligence. Yet, AI for small businesses can be a game-changer, simplifying tasks and boosting growth. In a Dream Big podcast by the deAsra Foundation, Dr. Ameya Pangarkar, an AI expert, shared a practical approach to adopting AI tools for small businesses without stress.

read more
How AI Can Make my Business Effective?
Video

How AI Can Make my Business Effective?

Discover how AI can help your business work smarter by automating routine tasks, improving customer engagement, and enabling faster decision-making. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or running a small team, AI tools can save time, reduce costs, and boost overall efficiency.

watch the video
Let AI Do the Work: Quick Content & Visuals for Every Business Vertical
Video

Let AI Do the Work: Quick Content & Visuals for Every Business Vertical

Discover how AI tools can help you instantly generate ready-to-use content and eye-catching visuals tailored to your specific business type. Whether you're in retail, food, services, or education—save hours and boost your brand with AI-powered speed and simplicity.

watch the video

FAQs

Absolutely!
AI today is made for everyday people, not just techies. Recommended Tools are designed with simple, click-and-go interfaces. If you can use WhatsApp, you can use AI tools. Small business owners with zero tech background can confidently use AI in daily tasks. You have to become AI Tools Users and not programmers.

AI saves you time, not adds to it.
Many AI tools work in the background or with just a few clicks. You can start by automating 1-2 small tasks daily—like writing social posts or replying to inquiries. Most tools take less than 10 minutes to set up and start giving results immediately. So weekly 30-45 mins should be okay to start with.

Start with:

  • ChatGPT (Free version) – For content writing, emails, customer replies.
  • Canva AI – For social media and ad creatives.
  • Pictory AI (Freemium) – For making quick marketing videos.
  • Mailchimp (Free for up to 500 contacts) – For automating your email marketing.
    These tools are easy, affordable, and designed for small businesses.

AI can:

  • Suggest better social media captions and hashtags to reach more people.
  • Create videos and product ads automatically.
  • Use a free tool called Yoodli to practice your sales pitch.
  • Automate your customer replies and WhatsApp updates.

Your daily social media post creation.
Use ChatGPT + Canva AI.
You can generate captions and designs for a whole week in 30 minutes. This is the fastest win for time-starved business owners.

Not at all.
AI is your assistant, not your replacement.
It handles routine tasks so you can focus on human connections—like personalized follow-ups, packaging notes, and local events. In fact, AI can help you be more personal by giving you more time for customers.

Zero to very little.
Most AI tools have free or freemium plans. You can start exploring at ₹0, and invest ₹500–₹1000 per month as you scale. It’s less than the cost of one coffee a day, but it gives your business superpowers.

Yes!

AI can help you:

  • Find new audiences with AI-powered social media ads.
  • Write SEO-friendly content and blogs.
  • Automate follow-up emails and WhatsApp messages.
    AI tools help nano businesses attract local and online customers without spending hours daily.

Focus on 1-2 tools that solve your biggest pain point first.
For example:

  • If you struggle with marketing: Start with ChatGPT + Canva AI.
  • If you need more customers: Use Meta AI Ads + Google My Business AI Assistants.
    Don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress. Mantra is: Start consistent, win big.

You can ask any question related to deAsra offerings, services to Udyogmitra bot you will find on deAsra portal. it will even help and guide you to the right resources you are looking for.