
Navigating Uncertainty: The Power of Digital Tools for Small Businesses
Our recent report, Digital Ads and AI Help Small Businesses Navigate Uncertainty, shows that small businesses are using digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate economic uncertainty, drive growth, and compete with larger companies. The report, based on a survey of 4,000 U.S. small- and medium-sized business (SMB) leaders, comes as lawmakers consider regulations that could change how SMBs leverage tools like digital advertising and AI technology, causing serious harm to businesses nationwide.

Background
In today’s unsettled economy, SMBs’ access to affordable and effective digital tools is more important than ever. Tools like personalized digital advertising and AI technology help SMBs drive growth and compete with larger companies. Ensuring that these innovations remain available and effective will be critical to SMBs’ continued success, and overregulation of such tools could have serious impacts.
Lead Findings:
Digital Tools Are a Safety Net for SMB Leaders in an Uncertain Economy
Digital Ads, Especially Data-Driven Ads, Help SMB Leaders Reach New Customers and Compete With Larger Rivals
AI Adoption Growing as SMB Leaders See Business Efficiencies and Growth
Findings by State

Methodology
RXN with its think tank, the Data Catalyst Institute, conducted an online survey of 4,000 leaders of U.S.-based small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs; <500 FT employees) that sell products or services to businesses and/or consumers. The survey was conducted between November 6-25, 2024. The main sample (N = 4,000) has a margin of error of +/-1.5%. The main survey was weighted to known census and SBA demographic variables as well as to data from previous U.S. SMB research we conducted. Every person we surveyed is an SMB leader involved in making decisions affecting their entire business. The full results of our survey can be found here.