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AI Agents for Small & Medium Businesses – Supercharge Your Business
- Astrid van Essen
- Mar 15
- 5 min read
Introduction: Unlocking the Power of AI Agents for Your Business
AI is revolutionising how businesses operate, but many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still unsure how to leverage this technology. You’ve likely heard about AI agents, but what exactly are they? How can they streamline your operations, enhance customer service, and give your business a competitive edge? More importantly, where do you start, and what are the costs?
This blog provides straightforward, actionable insights to help SMEs understand AI agents, explore no-code and coding options, and take practical steps towards integrating AI into their business strategy. Whether you’re looking for a simple plug-and-play solution or want to build a custom AI assistant, this article "AI Agents for Small & Medium Businesses" will help you start today.
What is an AI Agent?
An AI agent is a virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence. It can perform tasks such as:
Answering customer queries automatically
Generating content for emails, blogs, and social media
Summarising documents and reports
Automating repetitive business processes
Managing scheduling and reminders
Unlike traditional software, AI agents learn and improve over time, making them a valuable asset for businesses looking to enhance efficiency and customer engagement.
No-Code vs. Code Options: How to Build an AI Agent
No-Code AI Agents (Best for Non-Technical Teams)
No coding experience? No problem. Several platforms allow you to create AI-powered assistants with simple drag-and-drop interfaces. Popular no-code options include:
OpenAI’s Custom GPTs – Quickly build a chatbot tailored to your business needs.
Zapier AI – Automate workflows and connect AI to apps like Gmail and Slack.
Voiceflow – Create AI-driven voice and chat assistants.
Botpress – Design AI chatbots for customer support and sales.
Low-Code & Full-Code AI Agents (More Customisation)
A low-code or full-code approach allows for greater customisation for businesses seeking more control and advanced features. This can involve:
Python and the OpenAI API are used to build a chatbot.
Deploying AI on your website, WhatsApp, Slack, or other platforms.
Integrating AI with existing business applications for seamless automation.
Cost Involved: What Should SMEs Expect to Pay?
The cost of implementing an AI agent varies depending on your approach:
AI Solution | Estimated Cost |
No-Code AI (Custom GPTs, Zapier, Voiceflow) | £15–£80/month |
Low-Code (Botpress, AI-powered apps) | £40–£240/month |
Full-Code (Custom AI using OpenAI API) | £80–£400/month, plus developer costs |
Many AI platforms offer free trials, allowing you to test before committing to a paid plan.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Build Your SEO ChatGPT Agent (No-Code)
Like to get started? Here’s an example of how to build a custom SEO AI agent using OpenAI’s no-code platform. Follow these simple steps to create a powerful SEO expert assistant that can automate research, generate insights, and enhance your digital marketing efforts.
Step 1: Access OpenAI’s Custom GPT Feature
Go to OpenAI’s Custom GPT Page
Click “Create a GPT”
Follow the step-by-step guide provided by OpenAI’s interface.
Step 2: Define Your AI’s Role & Personality
Role: Define the agent as an SEO expert with knowledge of best practices, Google algorithms, keyword research, and growth strategies.
Personality: Choose a tone: Professional, Friendly, or Analytical
Example: “A data-driven SEO strategist who provides concise, insightful, and actionable advice.”
Step 3: Train Your AI with Relevant Data
In the "Provide Instructions" section, include:
Expertise Areas: On-page SEO, technical SEO, link building, content strategy, local SEO, etc.
Research Capabilities: Guide the AI to use web search tools to fetch the latest SEO trends.
Content Optimisation Methods: Explain how it should structure recommendations for blogs, product pages, and landing pages.
Provide example queries like:
“What are the top-ranking keywords in the fitness industry for 2025?”
“How can I improve my website speed for better SEO?”
“Analyse [competitor website] and suggest improvements.”
Step 4: Integrate Web Research for Real-Time Insights
Enable Web Browsing in the AI settings.
This lets the agent pull live data about SEO trends, competitors, and algorithm updates.
Step 5: Automate Reports & SEO Recommendations
Set up custom outputs like:
Monthly SEO reports
Blog post keyword suggestions
On-page SEO audits
Backlink-building strategies
You can use Zapier to connect ChatGPT with Notion, Google Sheets, or Email for automated updates.
Step 6: Test & Optimise
Run different SEO queries and analyse responses.
Adjust the GPT instructions based on feedback.
Keep refining by adding case studies and examples to improve responses.
Step 7: Deploy & Use Your SEO ChatGPT Agent
Use it daily for SEO planning and execution.
Share access with your marketing team.
Set up integrations with Slack, Google Docs, or your CMS for workflow automation.
Bonus: Expand Capabilities
Add NLP-based analytics to analyse website content.
Integrate ChatGPT with AI writing tools for content generation.
Connect with Google Search Console & Ahrefs for deeper SEO insights.
By following these steps, you’ll have a powerful no-code AI SEO expert to boost your website traffic and optimise your content.
Final Thoughts AI Agents for Small & Medium Businesses: Start Small & Scale Up
AI agents are no longer just for large enterprises. SMEs can harness their power to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and reduce operational costs.
Starting with free or low-cost AI solutions allows you to experiment and scale as your business grows.
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About AI Agents for SMEs
1. What is an AI agent, and how can it help my business?
An AI agent is a virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence that can automate tasks like customer support, content generation, SEO optimisation, and data analysis. It helps businesses save time, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
2. Do I need coding skills to create an AI agent?
No! Many platforms offer no-code solutions like OpenAI’s Custom GPTs, Zapier, and Voiceflow, allowing businesses to create AI assistants with simple setup steps. For more advanced features, low-code and full-code options are available.
3. How much does it cost to implement an AI agent?
The cost varies based on the solution you choose:
No-Code AI: £15–£80/month
Low-Code AI: £40–£240/month
Full-Code AI: £80–£400/month, plus developer costs
Most platforms offer free trials to get started.
4. Can AI agents provide real-time insights for SEO?
Yes! By enabling web browsing capabilities, AI agents can pull live data on SEO trends, competitor analysis, and algorithm updates, helping businesses stay ahead of the competition.
5. How do I get started with an AI agent for my business?
Start small by using OpenAI’s Custom GPTs or a no-code platform. Define your AI’s role, train it with relevant data, and test it with real queries. Download our step-by-step guide to walk you through the process!
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