- Joe O'Connor
- Jul 25
- 7 min read
Smart business owners know how important it is to adapt to changing market patterns.
Whether you’re thinking about updating your business website, restructuring your business development plan or revising your small business marketing tactics, making informed changes based on shifting tides will help you stay competitive and thrive.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of emerging small business trends to watch in 2025, so that you can make smarter decisions.
What are the small business trends in 2025?
If you’re looking for insights on how to run a business today, here are eight small business trends to keep in mind.
01. AI adoption
Artificial intelligence is not going away—and for good reason. However, the story is evolving.
In 2025, small business owners are moving beyond the AI testing phase to strategic adoption. That means identifying specific pain points and applying AI solutions that deliver measurable results for their business.
Ido Kosover, head of Media at Wix, recognizes this transition. “I believe we’re now in a phase where AI is becoming more practical and less about flashy, experimental uses. It’s about achieving real, objective results that we actually want to accomplish.”
You should explore ways to use AI not just for chatbots and content generation, but also for team meetings, advanced analytics, workflow automation, customer segmentation and even supply chain management.
There are plenty of top-notch free versions of AI tools for business to get your feet wet, like Wixel for design, Base44 for fully functional small business apps, and, of course, the many Wix AI tools to cover your web creation needs.
Jean-Briac Coadou, founder of Horizons IA, advises SMBs to “start by integrating basic artificial intelligence tools to automate repetitive tasks and improve the operational efficiency of your business.”
02. Data transparency
Trust is still currency. Now that customers expect complete transparency in how their personal information is handled, small businesses will treat data with as much care as big companies.
If you’re a small business handling personal information, it’s important that you implement and provide a privacy policy for your site. A privacy policy is a statement that discloses how a website collects, uses and manages the data of its visitors and customers.
Having a privacy policy will also fulfill a legal requirement to protect your client’s privacy. Be clear with your clients about the type of information you collect and how you use it. You can also mention your site’s use of cookies, which are small pieces of data stored on a site visitor’s browser. Being as transparent as possible with your customers reinforces your credibility.
03. Move to multi-hyphenate
Small businesses are no longer staying in their lane.
Whether it’s a wine-bar-turned-events-space or design-agency-turned-podcasting-studio, we’re seeing more and more SMBs go multi-hyphenate.
Cashing in on non-core offerings isn’t just about diversification—it’s also a survival strategy. By creating multiple touchpoints with their audience, small businesses aren’t just selling products or services; they’re building an ecosystem around their brand.
And AI is making it even easier to test and multihyphenate quickly. You can launch a digital product, automate your marketing and adjust based on data in real time—all without needing a big team.
Tip: If your company has loyal customers who love your brand, why not move into merch with Wix Print on Demand? It allows small businesses with limited resources to design, sell and dropship products without the hassle of inventory management and shipping.
04. Micro-influencer collabs
In 2025, expect to see more small brands partner with micro-influencers as they look to reach a wider audience with greater authenticity.
Unlike traditional celebrities or large influencers, micro-influencers tend to have smaller but highly engaged audiences who trust their recommendations. Plus, most micro-influencers operate within specific niches or local markets, making them the ideal partnership for small businesses looking to maximize their impact on a limited budget.
Sarah Adam, head of marketing partnerships and influencer marketing at Wix, shares advice for SMBs considering using micro-influencers as part of their marketing strategy.
“The right influencer can deliver your message in a far more authentic way than you can. Leveraging their content creation skills and boosting their content to reach a wider audience can be highly effective in raising brand awareness and driving traffic to your business website.”
Tip: Adam recommends small businesses look for real customers who are also talented content creators. “It’s a true win-win and can act as an extension of your marketing team when leveraged correctly.”
05. AI ethics
With generative AI gone mainstream, customers now demand authenticity and disclosure. That means small businesses need strategies for ethical AI use in their marketing, content and customer interactions.
How can you do this? Start by disclosing when your company is using AI and ensuring AI-generated content aligns with your brand values. Audit your business regularly, use trusted AI tools and make sure a human is always involved in making important decisions to help uphold ethical standards.
“Why does ethics in artificial intelligence matter?” asks Gustavo Miller, an artificial intelligence specialist. “Because AI systems are impartial and depend on this data to be trained. The responsible collection and use of data are essential to prevent algorithms from perpetuating and reinforcing discriminatory patterns.”
Miller advises SMBs to instill ethical principles right from the start to avoid problems down the line.
06. Domain strategy
A strong domain name is still prime online real estate.
And now, small businesses are getting in on the act. They’re getting creative and strategic with domains—using unique extensions, securing branded short links and optimizing URLs to boost search rankings and establish brand trust.
"When choosing a domain, prioritize one that aligns with your brand and is easy for customers to remember,” advises Einat Shafir, product manager at Wix. “A domain should reflect your business and make it simple for people to find you online.”
This year, we’ll see new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .ai and .shop gain even more popularity among tech startups and eCommerce businesses, as they offer a targeted, professional identity that stands out.
Wix now offers and supports .ai domains to all users across all channels.
“This latest addition addresses the growing demand for .ai domains, which have become increasingly popular and competitive in the industry,” says Tom Pasha, product manager at Wix Premium Services.
Tip: Are you struggling to come up with a powerful domain name that will help you make your mark online? Use the free Wix domain name generator to instantly get unique domain name suggestions for your site.
07. Remote work flexibility
Yes, the remote working debate rumbles on.
As many big tech companies reassess their WFH policies and encourage staff to return to the office, small businesses will use it as a way to compete.
Unlike larger companies with extensive resources, SMBs often can't match the high salaries or benefits employees are looking for, so offering flexible work options can make all the difference.
By giving employees the option to work remotely, they can also reduce overhead costs, increase employee satisfaction, improve productivity and reach a wider talent pool.
If you’re a small business that can afford work-from-anywhere flexibility, use it as a calling card when you’re building your team and advertising your jobs.
08. Optimizing for LLMs
SEO has always been a moving target, but AI is shifting the search goalposts like never before.
In 2025, more small businesses will adopt a holistic approach to SEO, creating valuable, engaging content that answers user queries comprehensively and is optimized for large language model (LLM)-based search engines.
While it’s still a science in flux, the good news is that Wix Analytics offers an AI Visibility Overview tool that helps businesses understand and improve how they appear across LLM search engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude. It highlights how their site shows up on AI platforms, if at all.
“Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO, is SEO for the AI era,” says Wix’s Head of Analytics Doreen Weissfelner. “We are empowering users to bring AI search into focus by giving them information on how their sites are being cited, perceived and surfaced by leading AI platforms.”
Small business trends FAQ
What businesses are going to boom this year?
The following business sectors are expected to experience significant growth:
eCommerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC): The rise of online shopping and the growing popularity of DTC brands are driving strong demand for businesses that can effectively sell and ship products to consumers.
Healthcare and healthtech: As people prioritize their health and well-being, businesses offering healthcare services, fitness and wellness products and telemedicine solutions are expected to benefit.
Technology and AI-related businesses: The continuous advancement of AI technology is creating new opportunities for businesses that can develop innovative solutions and adapt to changing consumer needs.
Sustainable and eco-friendly businesses: As consumers become more environmentally conscious, businesses that offer sustainable products, services, and practices are gaining traction.
Pet care industry: As pet ownership rises globally, pet care services and products continue strong growth. Services like premium pet products, veterinary tech and pet-related digital platforms are now in high demand.
What are small businesses struggling with right now?
There are a variety of common small business challenges facing SMBs today, including:
Inflation and high costs: The rising costs of labor, rent and supplies are putting a strain on small businesses' profitability.
AI integration: Many small businesses are feeling pressure to keep up with AI trends, but lack the time, skills or resources to do so.
Limited access to capital: Small businesses often have difficulty securing loans and other forms of financing, which can hinder their business growth.
Digital marketing: Small businesses may lack the resources or expertise to effectively market their products or services online and stay up to speed with social media and SEO.
Navigating regulations: Businesses must comply with a complex web of regulations, which can be a significant burden for small firms.
Finding and retaining talent: The labor market is tight, and it can be difficult for small businesses to find and retain qualified employees.
Burnout and mental health: Many small business owners are spinning too many plates, leading to burnout and decision fatigue.
Where are the opportunities for small businesses to thrive?
There are many opportunities for small businesses to thrive, such as:
Focusing on niche markets: Small businesses can often compete effectively by focusing on niche markets and catering to specific customer needs.
Building a strong online presence: Small businesses can leverage the power of the internet to reach a wider audience and generate sales.
Emphasizing customer service: Providing excellent customer service can help small businesses differentiate themselves from larger competitors.
Being adaptable and innovative: Small businesses can be nimble and quick to respond to changing market conditions.
Adopting AI and automation: Small businesses that adopt AI tools for marketing, workflows, inventory and customer service are working efficiently and effectively within their sectors.
Offering events and experiences: As more people crave connection and novelty, small businesses specializing in pop-up experiences, workshops, classes and events are reaping the rewards.
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