50% of Small Businesses Exit a Challenging 2024 with Expectations of Revenue Increases Heading into 2025 According to Thryv’s Small Business Index
Thryv's 2024 Small Business Index reveals resilience among small businesses despite economic challenges. While 40% reported revenue increases in 2024, 50% anticipate growth in Q1 2025. The survey of 500+ small business owners shows improved economic outlook, with 45% expecting better conditions, up 61% from last year.
Notable findings include:
- 66% plan to maintain current staffing levels
- 43% expect to use AI in 2025, up 38% year-over-year
- 37% plan to increase technology investments
- 82% report holding their own against competitors
The survey also revealed that 48% of owners started their business to fulfill their self-employment dream, with 35% citing being their own boss as their greatest joy. Despite 53% noting economic deterioration in 2024, businesses are adapting through technology adoption and infrastructure investments.
Il Small Business Index 2024 di Thryv rivela la resilienza delle piccole imprese nonostante le sfide economiche. Mentre il 40% ha segnalato un aumento dei ricavi nel 2024, il 50% prevede una crescita nel primo trimestre del 2025. L'indagine su oltre 500 proprietari di piccole imprese mostra un miglioramento delle prospettive economiche, con il 45% che si aspetta condizioni migliori, un aumento del 61% rispetto all'anno precedente.
Tra le scoperte notevoli ci sono:
- Il 66% prevede di mantenere i livelli attuali di personale
- Il 43% prevede di utilizzare l'IA nel 2025, in aumento del 38% rispetto all'anno precedente
- Il 37% intende aumentare gli investimenti in tecnologia
- Il 82% riporta di competere bene rispetto ai concorrenti
L'indagine ha anche rivelato che il 48% dei proprietari ha avviato la propria attività per realizzare il sogno di autoimpiego, con il 35% che cita il fatto di essere il proprio capo come la maggiore gioia. Nonostante il 53% noti un deterioramento economico nel 2024, le imprese si stanno adattando attraverso l'adozione della tecnologia e investimenti nell'infrastruttura.
El Índice de Pequeñas Empresas 2024 de Thryv revela la resiliencia entre las pequeñas empresas a pesar de los desafíos económicos. Mientras que el 40% informó aumentos en los ingresos en 2024, el 50% anticipa crecimiento en el primer trimestre de 2025. La encuesta a más de 500 propietarios de pequeñas empresas muestra una mejora en las perspectivas económicas, con el 45% esperando mejores condiciones, un aumento del 61% con respecto al año pasado.
Entre los hallazgos notables se incluyen:
- El 66% planea mantener los niveles actuales de personal
- El 43% espera utilizar IA en 2025, un aumento del 38% año tras año
- El 37% planea aumentar las inversiones en tecnología
- El 82% informa que se defiende bien contra los competidores
La encuesta también reveló que el 48% de los propietarios comenzó su negocio para cumplir su sueño de autoempleo, con el 35% citando ser su propio jefe como su mayor alegría. A pesar de que el 53% nota un deterioro económico en 2024, las empresas se están adaptando a través de la adopción de tecnología y inversiones en infraestructura.
Thryv의 2024년 소기업 지수는 경제적 어려움에도 불구하고 소기업의 회복력을 보여줍니다. 2024년 수익 증가를 보고한 비율은 40%였으며, 50%는 2025년 1분기에 성장을 예상합니다. 500명 이상의 소기업 소유자를 대상으로 한 설문조사에서는 경제 전망이 개선되었으며, 45%가 조건이 나아질 것으로 예상하고 있습니다. 이는 작년 대비 61% 증가한 수치입니다.
주요 발견 사항은 다음과 같습니다:
- 66%는 현재 인력 수준을 유지할 계획
- 43%는 2025년에 AI를 사용할 것으로 예상하며, 이는 전년 대비 38% 증가한 수치입니다
- 37%는 기술 투자 증가를 계획
- 82%는 경쟁자에 맞서 잘 싸우고 있다고 보고
설문조사는 또한 48%의 소유자가 자영업의 꿈을 이루기 위해 사업을 시작했으며, 35%는 자신이 직접 비즈니스를 운영하는 것을 가장 큰 기쁨으로 언급했습니다. 2024년 경제가 악화되었다고 응답한 53%에도 불구하고, 기업들은 기술 채택과 인프라 투자로 적응하고 있습니다.
Index des petites entreprises 2024 de Thryv révèle la résilience parmi les petites entreprises malgré les défis économiques. Bien que 40 % aient signalé une augmentation des revenus en 2024, 50 % s'attendent à une croissance au premier trimestre 2025. L'enquête auprès de plus de 500 propriétaires de petites entreprises montre une amélioration des perspectives économiques, avec 45 % s'attendant à de meilleures conditions, soit une augmentation de 61 % par rapport à l'année dernière.
Parmi les résultats notables, on trouve :
- 66 % prévoient de maintenir leur niveau actuel d'effectifs
- 43 % prévoient d'utiliser l'IA en 2025, soit une augmentation de 38 % par rapport à l'année précédente
- 37 % prévoient d'augmenter leurs investissements technologiques
- 82 % affirment faire face à la concurrence avec succès
L'enquête a également révélé que 48 % des propriétaires ont créé leur entreprise pour réaliser leur rêve d'auto-entrepreneuriat, 35 % citant le fait d'être leur propre patron comme leur plus grande joie. Malgré le fait que 53 % notent une détérioration économique en 2024, les entreprises s'adaptent grâce à l'adoption de la technologie et aux investissements dans l'infrastructure.
Thryvs kleiner Unternehmensindex 2024 zeigt die Resilienz kleiner Unternehmen trotz wirtschaftlicher Herausforderungen. Während 40% von Umsatzsteigerungen im Jahr 2024 berichteten, erwarten 50% ein Wachstum im ersten Quartal 2025. Die Umfrage unter über 500 Kleinunternehmern zeigt eine verbesserte wirtschaftliche Sicht, wobei 45% bessere Bedingungen erwarten, was einem Anstieg von 61% im Vergleich zum Vorjahr entspricht.
Bemerkenswerte Ergebnisse umfassen:
- 66% planen, die aktuellen Mitarbeiterzahlen beizubehalten
- 43% erwarten, 2025 KI zu nutzen, was einem Anstieg von 38% im Jahresvergleich entspricht
- 37% planen, die Investitionen in Technologie zu erhöhen
- 82% berichten, im Wettbewerb gut abzuschneiden
Die Umfrage ergab auch, dass 48% der Inhaber ihr Geschäft gegründet haben, um ihren Traum von Selbstständigkeit zu verwirklichen, wobei 35% angeben, ihr eigener Boss zu sein, sei ihre größte Freude. Trotz der 53%, die einen wirtschaftlichen Rückgang im Jahr 2024 feststellen, passen sich Unternehmen durch die Annahme von Technologie und Investitionen in die Infrastruktur an.
- None.
- None.
-
Less than half of SMBs say their revenue increased over the past year;
50% expect revenue increases through Q1 2025 -
A quarter expect a deteriorating economy to extend into 2025, down from
42% last year at this time -
The amount of SMBs likely to invest in technology and infrastructure jumped
61% year-over-year
40 percent of small businesses say their revenue increased over the past year. (Graphic: Business Wire)
Although more than half (53 percent) of small businesses cited a deteriorating
The Role of Technology
The majority (66 percent) of small businesses plan to manage any expected lift in their business with existing staffing levels. Technology stands to play a role in how they will scale despite level headcounts: 29 percent of small businesses say they are likely to invest in equipment and infrastructure, a 61 percent increase over 2023. More than a third plan to increase their technology budget. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will also be a factor: 31 percent are currently using AI, but 43 percent expect to use AI in 2025, a 38 percent year-over-year increase.
“As small businesses look to turn the page on an economically challenging 2024, a majority tell us they are holding their own against their competitors and half are expecting to see revenue increases over the coming months,” said Joe Walsh, Chairman and CEO of Thryv. “Planned investments in technology and AI will help small businesses scale with existing staffing levels, pointing to a promising year ahead.”
2024 Challenges and Successes
- Degree of Difficulty: when asked if it has been more difficult or easier to run their business today than it was a year ago, 51 percent say it is about the same, while 38 percent say it is more difficult. Only 11 percent say it is easier today than a year ago.
- Economic Woes: almost one-third worry efforts to control high inflation will not come fast enough to help their business.
-
Election Concerns: just over half (53 percent) worried about the
U.S. presidential election and its impact on the economy and government regulations. - Revenue Changes: 40 percent of SMBs say their revenue increased over the past year.
- Competitive Strength: an impressive 82 percent say they hold their own against their competitors.
- Employee Count: only roughly 14 percent have decreased headcount.
Looking Ahead to 2025
- Revenue Expectations: 50 percent expect their revenues to increase in Q1 of 2025.
- Profit Margins: 47 percent expect their profit margins to remain level; 39 percent expect their profit margins to increase; 14 percent expect a decrease.
-
Economic Outlook: when asked what their expectations are for the
U.S. economy over the next 6 months, 45 percent expect it to improve; 30 percent expect it to remain the same; 25 percent expect it to deteriorate. - Investing in their Business: 43 percent are likely to invest in equipment or infrastructure; 29 percent are unlikely to make those investments; 28 percent are indifferent.
- Technology Investment: 57 percent expect their software budget to remain the same; 37 percent plan to increase their investment; only 6 percent expect to decrease budget.
- Employee Count: 66 percent expect to keep their headcount the same; 28 percent expect to increase it; only 6 percent expect a decrease in headcount.
Why They Do What They Do
When asked what best describes why they opened their business, 48 percent say it has always been their dream to be self-employed.
This description aligns with answers received to the question: what brings you the most joy from owning your own business:
- 35 percent say being their own boss
- 29 percent say making a living doing something they love
- 14 percent say creating something that fills a need for people
- 13 percent say having a work/life balance
- 9 percent say providing employment for others
“Being your own boss is a dream that comes with a unique set of challenges. That’s where marketing automation and operations technology can step in, helping those dreamers achieve sustained growth so they can focus on doing what they love,” said Walsh.
To access the 2024 Thryv Small Business Index, visit: https://www.thryv.com/2024-smb-index/.
Study Methodology
Thryv conducted the research from an online survey of 507 small business owners and decision-makers in various industries across
About Thryv
Thryv Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:THRY) is the provider of the leading do-it-all small business software platform that empowers small businesses to modernize how they work. It offers small business owners everything they need to communicate effectively, manage their day-to-day operations, and grow — all in one place — giving up to 20 hours back in their week1. Thryv’s customizable platform features three centers: Thryv® Command Center, a freemium central communications hub, Thryv Business Center™ and Thryv Marketing Center™. Approximately 300,000 businesses globally use Thryv software to connect with local customers and take care of everything they do, start to finish. For more information, visit www.thryv.com.
1 Based on Thryv survey sample of 181 clients. Calculations assume a 40-hour work week. Results may vary.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210905765/en/
Media Contact:
Julie Murphy
Thryv, Inc.
617.967.5426
julie.murphy@thryv.com
Investor Contact:
Cameron Lessard
Thryv, Inc.
214.773.7022
cameron.lessard@thryv.com
Source: Thryv
FAQ
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