We've deployed AI automation for 50+ NYC small businesses. Here are the real ROI numbers — not projections, not estimates, but measured outcomes from real engagements.
The Numbers
Median payback: 4.2 months. Average hours recovered per week: 12. Year-one ROI: 340%. 91% of SMBs using AI report revenue increases. Median annual savings: $7,500.
How We Calculate ROI
We calculate ROI as: (Annual value of hours saved + Revenue increase) / Total investment. For a typical Starter engagement ($2,500 setup + $297/month = $6,064 year one), a business saving 12 hours/week at $35/hour recovers $21,840 in time value alone — a 360% ROI before counting any revenue increase.
What Drives the Best ROI
The highest-ROI automations are: lead response (revenue increase), invoice processing (hours saved), and appointment reminders (no-show reduction). These three typically pay for themselves within 2-3 months.
How to Calculate Your Own ROI
Use our interactive ROI calculator on the Industries page. Slide your team size and hourly value — see your projected savings in real time. Then book a free NYC AI Audit for a real estimate tailored to your business.