When people think about digital inclusion, they often picture students or older adults learning how to navigate online tools. But there’s another group deeply affected by the digital divide: small business owners.
Across the U.S., small businesses continue to face barriers to fully participating in the digital economy. Even in 2025, reliable broadband access and basic digital skills remain uneven, limiting business growth, local innovation, and community resilience.
Access: The Foundation for Digital Success
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 report, The Impact of Technology on Small Business, broadband access and affordability are still foundational challenges for many small business owners. In both rural and urban areas, some entrepreneurs have only one internet service provider option, or none that can reliably support e-commerce, teleconferencing, or cloud-based operations.
These gaps don’t just slow down websites, they slow down entire local economies. The NTIA’s federal broadband reports confirm that many areas continue to be classified as “unserved” or “underserved”, underscoring the need for continued investment through programs like BEAD and the Affordable Connectivity Program.
The Digital Skills Divide
Even when internet access is available, many small business owners report that they lack the time, confidence, or know-how to take full advantage of online tools. A 2024 survey by Small Business Majority found that more than half of respondents said they need help with technology training, with everything from setting up e-commerce platforms to managing online ads to protecting their data.
Without those skills, small business owners often rely on word-of-mouth or manual processes rather than using digital tools to reach new customers or streamline operations. The result? Lost opportunities in a market that increasingly exists only online.
Uneven Adoption and Missed Opportunities
Reports from the OECD and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlight wide disparities in digital adoption across industries and geographies. Microbusinesses, rural enterprises, and many minority-owned businesses are less likely to use digital marketing, data analytics, or cybersecurity tools compared to larger firms.
These differences aren’t about motivation, they’re about capacity. Many owners wear multiple hats, with limited time or staff to dedicate to digital transformation. Even simple improvements, like learning to use online invoicing or setting up two-factor authentication, can make a meaningful difference.
Why It Matters
When small businesses thrive online, so do their communities. A connected, digitally confident business can reach new customers, hire more staff, and contribute to a stronger local economy. Conversely, when digital skills and broadband access lag, entire neighborhoods lose opportunities for growth and inclusion.
How digitalLIFT Can Help
At digitalLIFT, we believe every small business deserves the tools, training, and confidence to thrive in the digital world. Our online courses are designed to help organizations provide their small businesses clients digital literacy training. We have curricula covering everything from online safety to using productivity tools and effectively managing an online presence.If your organization works with small businesses and wants to expand digital access in your community, we’d love to collaborate. Partner with us and explore how you can use digitalLIFT’s curriculum to deliver impactful digital skills training that helps businesses, and communities, grow stronger online.
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