Small Business Software & AI Starter Pack
The core software stack for a small business, plus the AI tools and automations worth knowing about.
Overview
Running a small business means covering a recurring set of jobs -- getting paid, keeping the books, booking time with customers -- and increasingly, deciding which of those jobs are worth automating instead of doing by hand. This pack covers the software fundamentals, the general-purpose AI tools worth knowing, and ideas for what to automate or ask a builder for next.
Recommended Software
QuickBooks
Accounting and bookkeeping software for small business
The most common starting point for bookkeeping, invoicing, and tax prep for a small business.
Gusto
Payroll, benefits, and HR for small business
Once you hire your first employee or contractor, Gusto handles payroll, tax filings, and benefits.
Calendly
Automated meeting scheduling
Lets customers book time with you directly instead of trading emails to find a slot.
Squarespace
Website builder with built-in online store
A template-driven way to get a real website live without hiring a developer.
AI Agents Worth Exploring
General-purpose AI tools that can be applied to this work today -- not a substitute for a purpose-built agent, which is exactly what the ideas below are for.
ChatGPT
AI assistant for writing, research, and Q&A
For drafting customer replies, researching suppliers, or summarizing a long document.
Intercom
Live chat and conversational customer support
Includes a built-in AI agent ("Fin") that answers customer questions from your own help content.
Automations & Workflows
Ideas You Could Post
“I need an AI agent that reads new customer emails and drafts a reply for me to approve.”
“I need an automated workflow that turns a paid invoice into a bookkeeping entry without me re-typing it.”
“I need an AI assistant that answers common customer questions from my website chat, trained on my own FAQ.”
Featured Builders
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see the right fit?
Post what you need -- software, an AI agent, or an automated workflow -- and let builders decide how to solve it.
Post a Need