A pan-European study by team.blue, a leading provider of digital solutions for SMEs and entrepreneurs, has just been published, revealing a key paradox in the digitalization of small businesses: they want to adopt digital and artificial intelligence tools, but they don’t know where to start.
The study, which involved the participation of more than 8,000 SMEs from 30 different countries, addresses the key points of digital maturity analysis, with results that show a clear trend: the real brake for SMEs is not a lack of interest, but a lack of reliable guidance.
The panorama in Spain follows the same logic as in other places: a lot of motivation on the part of SMEs, but a technological ecosystem that is too complex for those who do not have advanced knowledge or access to adequate tools.
Some of the most relevant data from the study on SMEs:
- 30% of SMEs do not know what digital and AI tools they should use.
- 24% admit that they do not have the necessary skills or confidence.
- Among companies more than 10 years old, resistance to AI exceeds 60%.
- Complexity (27%) and lack of time or resources (26%) are other major obstacles for SMEs.
- Almost half trust AI results less than those of a person.
- One in 5 companies uses AI intensively and a third are still experimenting.
- Only 27.5% update their tools each year, which limits their efficiency.
Trust and clarity continue to be a challenge for SMEs
AI is gaining ground among SMEs: almost one in five companies uses it intensively and another third is experimenting with different tools. However, a quarter say they have no plans to use it, a position that is especially common among companies with more years of activity (60%). Trust is a key factor: Nearly half of companies trust AI-generated results less than those made by people, citing concerns about security, accuracy, and consistency with brand voice.
For SMEs, technological adoption does not automatically translate into efficiency, which is why training is key
Although just over half of companies believe that AI will make them more competitive, more than 22% believe that they still do not have enough information to move forward.
Practical guidance is essential for SMEs
What SMEs need most is not more technology, but more clarity and concrete guidance. 26% say they do not have the necessary skills or knowledge, and half say a step-by-step guide would help them move forward. 42% need clear recommendations on what tools to use and 38% value receiving related training or workshops.
Furthermore, only 27.5% of companies update their tools each year, and most do so only when strictly necessary, which limits the optimization and efficiency of digital resources.
These data clearly show that, for SMEs, technological adoption does not automatically translate into efficiency, which is why training is key.
In the words of Jonas Dhaenens, founder and president of team.blue, “digital tools only matter when they empower the people who use them. Our commitment is to make that experience more accessible and safe, because the prosperity of SMEs directly influences the health of our communities.”
Spanish market outlook
In the case of Spain, the results reflect a trend similar to that of the rest of Europe: high motivation among SMEs, but difficulties in navigating a complex technological ecosystem.
According to Manuela Becerra Fuentes, Country Manager of team.blue in Spain: “Spanish SMEs are very willing to incorporate digital and AI tools, but many tell us that their main obstacle to doing so is the complexity of the process. The data we have collected clearly shows that what SMEs need most to move forward is clarity. If we offer them simple, safe and truly useful solutions, we will help entrepreneurs leave that complexity behind and turn their digital potential into real results.”
The full report has been developed in collaboration with team.blue brands in Europe, including SuperHosting, Simply.com, Loopia, Combell, Names.co.uk, LCN, Guru, UKDedicated, Catalyst2, Register365, LetsHost, Hosting Ireland, Webnode, Nominalia, Webempresa, Raidboxes, TransIP and SimplyBook.me. The full report is available here.
The conclusions suggest that the key for SMEs is not to offer more technology, but rather more clarity, more practical guidance and truly usable tools, something that is lacking in the market today.
