10 Smart Ways to Automate Your Business
Get the list of top ways to automate your business with links included!
how Automation Makes Your Business More Valuable
If you’re feeling overwhelmed running your business—or thinking about selling it someday—one of the smartest moves you can make is to automate.
Automation isn’t about removing the human touch. It’s about setting up systems that work without your constant involvement so you can focus on high-impact work, get your time back, and build a business that thrives independently of you.
This isn’t just a productivity hack.
It’s a value-building strategy that makes your business more enjoyable to run and more attractive to buyers down the road.
Let’s break it all down…
Why Automation Matters (Now and Later)
When you're deep in the day-to-day operations, it's easy to accept the idea that you have to do everything. You’ve likely built this business from the ground up, so of course you know how it all runs.
But that level of involvement can lead to burnout, bottlenecks, and a business that becomes hard to grow—or hard to sell.
Here’s how automation changes the game:
Reduces Owner Dependency: Buyers want businesses that don’t require the owner to be in ten places at once. Automation shows that your operations are systemized and can function smoothly without you.
Boosts Value: A business with automated systems (especially for sales, marketing, and customer service) typically sells for a higher multiple. Why? Because it’s more scalable and easier to manage.
Frees Your Time: Automation gives you back your time so you can lead your business strategically—or simply enjoy your life outside of it.
Supports Consistency: Automated workflows deliver a repeatable, consistent experience for your customers—something buyers love to see.
Future-Proofs Your Business: Systems and tools that run automatically ensure your business stays resilient, even if you step away or bring in new team members.
Let’s Get Practical: 10 Ways to Automate Your Business
These aren’t just ideas—they’re the exact tools and strategies that smart business owners are using to create freedom, flow, and future value.
1. Website Automation – Squarespace
Your website should do more than look pretty.
With Squarespace, you can:
Automate appointment bookings
Send form replies instantly
Process orders and payments without manual follow-up
Trigger email opt-ins and lead magnets automatically
Think of it as your always-on digital assistant.
2. Email Marketing – Flodesk
Your email list is one of your most valuable assets—and automation makes it work for you.
With Flodesk, set up:
Welcome sequences to nurture new subscribers
Abandoned cart emails to recover lost sales
Evergreen campaigns that promote your offers 24/7
Email automation helps build relationships at scale and moves people through your funnel without the need to show up live every time.
Related Blog Post:
3. Pinterest – Tailwind
Pinterest can drive long-term, high-converting traffic—but only if you show up consistently.
Tailwind allows you to:
Schedule pins weeks (or months) ahead
Loop high-performing content
Pin at optimal times without logging in daily
That means a steady stream of new traffic without any extra effort. And for a future buyer, consistent inbound traffic is gold.
4. Social Media – Meta Business Suite
Social media can feel like a full-time job—but it doesn’t have to.
With Meta Business Suite, you can:
Plan and schedule posts across Instagram and Facebook
Set up auto-responses to common DMs
Review insights and tweak strategies without bouncing between platforms
Buyers love seeing organized, consistent marketing. Automation here makes that effortless.
5. Chatbots – ManyChat
Customer support is important—but it doesn’t have to be all manual. Chatbots can:
Answer FAQs automatically
Direct leads to products, pages, or booking links
Collect contact information and qualify leads while you’re offline
This improves the customer experience and signals operational readiness to a potential buyer.
6. Phone – OpenPhone
A separate business number with automation options like:
Custom voicemails
Scheduled call forwarding
Auto-replies via text
keeps you professional while maintaining boundaries. It also simplifies handing off communication if you scale your team or sell.
7. Product Crosslisting – Vendoo or List Perfectly
If you sell products on multiple platforms, this is a must.
Instead of manually creating listings on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, etc., these tools:
Auto-fill product info
Sync inventory across sites
Prevent overselling or duplicated effort
Crosslisting automation saves hours—and tells buyers your inventory management is dialed in.
8. Text Marketing – Postscript
Texting is personal, powerful, and has high open rates. You can:
Schedule promotions, back-in-stock alerts, or sales
Set up automated responses for keywords like “HELP” or “BUY”
Integrate with your eCommerce platform for a seamless customer journey
Great for engagement—and impressive from a systems perspective.
9. Payroll & HR – QuickBooks Payroll
Even small teams can benefit from payroll automation. These platforms:
Handle direct deposits
Calculate and pay taxes
Onboard new employees or contractors
Ensure compliance
This not only saves time—it removes liability and makes transitions (like a sale) much smoother.
10. Online Courses or Client Portals – Thinkific
Thinkific is my go-to for creating:
Digital courses
Client onboarding portals
Scalable education or training content
Automating delivery means you can stop repeating yourself—and a buyer can instantly see the value of your IP.
So, What Does This Look Like in Real Life?
Imagine this:
You’re traveling for a week, and your business keeps running.
Your new customer gets a welcome email, downloads their guide, and books a consult—without you lifting a finger.
You check your dashboard, and your Pinterest traffic is up, your social posts are going out, and someone just bought your digital product.
A new buyer comes along and sees not only consistent revenue—but a streamlined operation they can step into with confidence.
That’s the power of automation.
And that’s what The Confident Exit is built to help you create.
Ready to Build a More Efficient, Valuable Business?
Inside The Confident Exit, I’ll guide you step-by-step through building systems, streamlining your operations, and preparing your business for a future sale—even if you’re not ready to sell yet.
Whether you’re just starting to think about the future or you’re already feeling overwhelmed, automation is one of the most powerful tools in your business owner toolbox.
Let it support you now.
And build value that lasts.
Not every business is sellable. And just because a business makes a profit, does someone want to buy it. So much plays into the sale of business. At the end of the day, you are selling a job. Here are 10 tips to add value to your biz and get it sold.