Running a small business often means juggling too many tasks at once. From answering customer questions to following up with leads, it’s easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. That’s where workflow automation comes in. By automating routine processes, small businesses can save time, reduce errors, and focus more on growth.
Below, we’ll walk through some common questions small business owners ask about automation and provide evidence on why it can be a game-changer.
What is Workflow Automation and Why Should I Care?
The answer: Workflow automation is the use of technology to handle repetitive tasks so you don’t have to. This might mean automatically sending a welcome email when someone joins your list, scheduling appointments without back-and-forth emails, or following up with leads at the right time.
Evidence: According to a report by McKinsey, up to 60% of all occupations could save up to 30% of their time through automation of repetitive tasks【https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/what-the-future-of-work-will-mean-for-jobs-skills-and-wages】. For small businesses, that’s not just time saved—that’s money and stress saved too.
If you want to simplify your operations, Surge by Thrive’s workflow automation tools let you create custom sequences that handle these repetitive tasks in the background while you focus on growing your business.
How Can Automation Help Me Get More Leads?
The answer: Automation ensures no lead slips through the cracks. Instead of manually tracking who filled out a form or when to follow up, automation can send reminders, emails, and texts at the right time.
Evidence: Research from HubSpot shows that companies that automate lead management see a 10% or greater increase in revenue in 6–9 months【https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/marketing-automation-statistics】. Automated lead capture forms, combined with a CRM, make sure every inquiry gets logged and followed up.
With Surge, you can set up custom forms that feed directly into your CRM and lead capture system, ensuring every prospect gets the right message at the right time.
👉 Want to see it in action? Request a live demo today.
What’s the Best Way to Automate Appointment Scheduling?
The answer: Use an online calendar that connects with your workflows. Instead of emailing back and forth to find a time, automation lets customers book directly into your calendar and sends confirmations and reminders automatically.
Evidence: A study from TimeTrade found that nearly 70% of customers are more likely to choose a service provider that offers online scheduling【https://www.timetrade.com/resources/white-papers/state-of-online-scheduling/】. By removing the friction of scheduling, you’re more likely to win new clients.
Surge makes this simple with its appointment scheduling tools, which integrate seamlessly into your workflows.
Can Automation Really Improve Customer Relationships?
The answer: Absolutely. When you use automation to stay on top of reviews, send personalized messages, and provide instant answers, customers feel more cared for—even though you’re not manually managing every interaction.
Evidence: BrightLocal reports that 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations【https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/】. Automating requests for reviews ensures you’re consistently building your reputation without extra work.
Surge has tools for reputation and review management as well as AI chat widgets that can answer customer questions on your website 24/7.
What About Marketing—Can That Be Automated Too?
The answer: Yes, and it should be. Instead of sending every email or text manually, automation lets you create campaigns that run on their own. This could be a welcome sequence for new customers, abandoned cart reminders for e-commerce, or seasonal promotions.
Evidence: Campaign Monitor found that automated email campaigns generate 320% more revenue than non-automated emails【https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/email-marketing-new-rules/】. That’s because the messages are timely, personalized, and consistent.
With Surge, you can easily set up email and SMS marketing campaigns that run in the background and keep your business top of mind.
Will Automation Replace the Human Side of My Business?
The answer: Not at all. Automation should handle the repetitive, low-value tasks so you can focus on the high-value human interactions—like strategy, creativity, and building real relationships.
Evidence: Deloitte’s research notes that companies that combine automation with human strengths see the greatest productivity gains【https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/human-capital/articles/human-capital-trends.html】. It’s about balance, not replacement.
By using automation wisely, you’ll actually have more time to connect with your customers personally.
So, Where Should I Start with Workflow Automation?
Here are a few smart first steps for small businesses:
- Capture leads automatically with custom forms that go straight into your CRM.
- Set up appointment scheduling with built-in calendars.
- Create email and SMS sequences with marketing automation.
- Add AI chatbots with chat widgets to answer FAQs.
- Request reviews automatically with reputation management tools.
If this feels overwhelming, Surge by Thrive makes it simple by bundling all of these tools into one platform.
👉 Ready to simplify your business? Contact us here to get started.
Final Thoughts
Workflow automation isn’t just for big corporations anymore. For small businesses, it’s quickly becoming a must-have. Whether it’s saving hours of admin work, boosting your revenue with automated marketing, or making sure no lead is forgotten, automation pays for itself many times over.
With Surge by Thrive, you don’t have to piece together dozens of tools. Everything—from workflow automations to SEO-friendly websites—is under one roof, built to help small businesses thrive.
👉 Request a live demo and see how easy automation can be for your business.