Welcome to 2026! If you’re running a small business or growing your own venture, the start of a new year is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and plan your next move.
In 2025, we watched AI evolve from buzzword to everyday tool. Social platforms started acting more like search engines, and AI bots began doing the searching for you. But don’t worry — this isn’t about reinventing everything you do. Small, intentional tweaks can deliver big results, and that’s exactly what this guide will help you with.
Many of the best opportunities in 2026 come down to using what you already have more effectively and showing up online with more purpose.
In this guide, we’ll explore the real trends shaping small businesses right now, and focus on practical moves you can make to grow smarter this year.
What’s changing — and why it matters for online businesses
The new year brings fresh opportunities for small business owners and solopreneurs ready to grow. After 25 years helping people bring ideas to life online, 123 Reg has seen how fast things can change — and how the right tools make the difference.
First things first: AI is changing the way people find you. Google and most other search engines now put AI-generated answers at the top of results pages, which means fewer clicks to websites. For online businesses, this makes clear, structured content more important than ever — content AI can easily interpret and choose to show in search results.
AI is also showing up in the tools you already use. Professional email platforms, office apps, and all sorts of software increasingly come with smart features built in. Tasks that once took hours can now happen in seconds. The challenge isn’t access to AI anymore — it’s knowing what’s there and how to use it without losing the personal touch that makes your business yours.
The challenge isn’t access to AI anymore — it’s knowing what’s there and how to use it without losing the personal touch that makes your business yours.
But customers are catching on. Heading into 2026, there’s growing backlash against percieved “AI slop”. When content lacks authenticity, trust disappears fast. When content feels inauthentic, trust disappears fast. The businesses that do well are the ones using AI wisely while keeping things real.
Your website still matters — owning a domain name still matters — but it’s not always first. Social platforms like Instagram and YouTube are also top spots for product recommendations and answers to questions. The “shop where you scroll” trend isn’t slowing down.
Trust is more important than ever. Shoppers are becoming pickier about who they share data with. Smart tools save time, but it’s the human touch — helpful, honest, and genuine — that keeps people coming back.
It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things well.
7 Top Tips and Trends to Watch in 2026
Online businesses succeed by staying flexible, not chasing every change. In 2026, the goal is to make small, smart improvements that help your business without adding extra work.
From getting more from AI in everyday software to making your website easier for people and AI to use, these ideas focus on building a better business while keeping it manageable.
This list highlights seven key trends for the year, with simple steps you can start today.
1. Discover the AI in apps you already use
Many of the apps you use every day quietly gained AI features throughout 2025. Before reaching for the credit card, it’s worth checking what’s new — you might find tools that really save time. In Microsoft 365, for example, Copilot can draft emails, summarise documents, and turn short prompts into organised tasks. That means things that once took hours can now run automatically in the background, giving you more time to focus on planning and growth.
See also: More Than Email – M365 Add-Ons to Power Your Small Business
2. Create with AI – but keep it authentic
AI can save a lot of time, but audiences are quick to spot content that feels rushed or robotic. Businesses that stand out in 2026 are the ones combining AI with real stories, lived experience, and a human perspective. Use AI to draft ideas or structure content, then edit carefully to make it sound like your brand.
3. Optimise your website for AI search results
More people are getting answers directly from AI tools, so fewer clicks go to websites. That makes clear, structured content more important than ever. Focus on well-organised pages, short direct answers, and headings that AI can easily interpret. Applying E-E-A-T principles — showing expertise, experience, authority, and trust — helps AI pick your site to display.
Publishers have seen click‑through rates drop by almost half when Google’s AI Overviews appear, with some sectors reporting organic traffic falls of 15% and 64%.
For small businesses, SEO still matters, but the focus is shifting towards clear, structured content that AI can easily understand and trust. Search assistants favour experience‑led pages in plain English that show real expertise and answer specific questions.
See also: How to Get Your Business Seen in Google’s New AI Mode
4. Balance personalisation with customer privacy
Shoppers want personalised experiences, but they also care about how their data is used. Transparency builds trust, and small, thoughtful steps go a long way. Clear privacy notices, two-factor login, and SSL certificates show customers you take their safety seriously while still offering customised experiences.
It’s a balancing act. In a 2024 global survey, 64% of consumers said they prefer to buy from companies that tailor experiences to their needs… but more than half reported “high concern” over the privacy of their personal information!
5. Sell where your customers scroll
People are searching less on Google and more on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube — and that trend is only growing in 2026. Short videos and posts that answer real questions or show products in action get the most attention. Even quick clips or simple posts can reach the right audience and build awareness fast.
6. Automate your accounting with AI tools
AI accounting tools grew in popularity in 2025, and in 2026 they’ll connect more easily to banking apps for live insights. Not every small business is using them yet, but they can give a clearer picture of cash flow and costs. The goal isn’t just automation, it’s smarter decisions without extra work.
7. Equip your team with the right remote-work apps
Remote work isn’t going anywhere — 40% of UK workers already do some work from home, and many won’t go back to full-time office roles. Flexible setups are now part of everyday business, so the right tools make all the difference. Platforms that combine email, documents, chat, and tasks — plus AI features like meeting summaries or scheduling — keep small teams productive wherever they are.
See also: 10 Ways AI Can Help Your Small Business Grow
But some things never change…
Even as tools and trends shift, the basics still keep your business on track: a great website, an organised team, and safe data. These fundamentals make the biggest difference, no matter the year.
Build a website that works for you (and your customers)
Your website is where people find you, check your offers, and pick your brand. A fast site that works on any device keeps them around and helps search results.
In 2026, fast, mobile-friendly pages are still key — people expect sites to load in seconds on phones, tablets, or computers. Clear, easy-to-use sites also help you appear higher in search results.
With tools like Website Builder and Managed WordPress Hosting, it’s easy to build and manage a fast, secure site. Built-in AI can help with layout and content, so you spend less time setting up and more time running your business.
See also: How Much Does a Website Cost in the UK? Less than you think!
Secure your domain name, protect your brand
Your domain name is your web identity. With 123 Reg, you can manage everything in one place to protect your name and help your brand grow:
☐ Protect your name: Register matching domains (.co.uk, .com, .uk) to stop others from copying your brand or creating fake sites. This keeps your online identity safe and prevents confusion for customers.
☐ Manage multiple domains: Keep all your domains and websites under one account so renewals, updates, and settings are easy to track. No more juggling logins or losing sight of what’s active.
☐ Expand your reach: Use additional domains or subpages for new products, marketing campaigns, or local pages. This helps you target different audiences while keeping everything linked to your main brand.
See also: How to Buy a Domain Name
Protect your business and stay safe online
Online threats are getting smarter — from phishing to AI scams — and 2026 will bring more of the same. Staying safe doesn’t have to be complicated. With these tools, your site and data stay safe, so you can focus on running your business:
123 Reg has you covered:
☐ SSL Certificates to help keep your website and customer data secure
☐ Domain Ownership Protection to prevent others from taking or copying your domain
☐ Hosting plans with backup – built-in backups and malware checks for easy recovery
See also: Website Security – How to Keep Your Business Safe Online
Keep your team organised, wherever they are
Great teams make great businesses. Professional Email with your brand address sets the right tone. Microsoft 365 adds docs, calls, and calendars for easy teamwork. And if you need help, 123 Reg supports setup and keeps things running.
Learn more about Business Email with Microsoft 365
Wrap Up
2026 is changing how people find and connect with your business. AI tools across email, office apps, and everyday software can save a lot of time — but the businesses that do best are the ones using them wisely while keeping content and interactions genuine. AI search overviews now appear at the top of results pages, meaning fewer clicks to websites and making clear, well-structured content more important than ever.
Focus on the basics that count: a fast, easy-to-use website, a secure domain, and organised teams that keep a friendly, human touch at the heart of everything they do. Small, smart steps like these make work easier, build trust, and help your business stand out online.
Last year, 123 Reg turned 25. It’s a milestone that reminds us why we started. We give small businesses the confidence and support to build something they’re proud of. We’re here to help you do the same this year.
