Smarter telcos in the age of AI
We’re entering a new era, where artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, but a daily business enabler. For small business owners, AI-powered tools are now capable of doing what only agencies and tech specialists could do previously: creating websites, driving efficiencies, and enhancing customer engagement.
For telcos across the globe, this shift is a golden opportunity
As small businesses become more digitally driven and AI-aware, they expect more from their service providers. Connectivity remains critical, but it’s increasingly just the foundation. The real growth lies in providing innovative, mobile-first digital tools that help customers build and grow their businesses fast.
A mobile-first website builder is one such value-added service (VAS). A simple, powerful tool that helps small businesses thrive digitally, while offering telcos a way to increase ARPU, improve customer retention and expand their role in the digital economy.
The rise of smart tools for smart businesses
Website builders are not new, but AI has fundamentally changed what they can do and how quickly they do it. Instead of a complex and time-consuming experience, modern platforms enable business owners to get online quickly with AI-powered onboarding. Answer a few questions about your business and an AI can present a carefully curated list of options that can be used straight out of the box or further edited and developed by the business owner themselves.
This shift is profound for small businesses. It dramatically lowers the barrier to getting online, reduces reliance on web developers or agencies, and puts control back in the hands of the business owner. When combined with mobile-first design and commerce features, these platforms enable businesses to create a professional online presence with minimal friction.
Why website builders make sense for telcos
For teleco providers already serving small businesses a mobile website builder is a logical extension of their core offering. It pairs naturally with mobile and broadband services, is inherently digital, and supports the same business outcomes that telcos care about: customer success, loyalty and lifetime value.
Specifically, a white-label website builder can help telcos:
- Drive ARPU: Positioning the builder as a premium add-on or bundling it with existing plans creates new revenue streams from existing customers.
- Improve retention: Offering more value as a complete package solution is harder for customers to leave behind.
- Increase relevance: Offering smart business tools aligns with the evolving expectations of SMEs, who now expect digital solutions, not just data and minutes.
- Simplify digital transformation: Tools that help businesses digitise faster are seen as indispensable, especially if they’re easy to use and mobile-first.
But not all solutions are created equal. For a website builder to truly meet the needs of modern small businesses, it has to deliver a simple, intuitive mobile experience.
What small businesses need in a modern website builder
- Mobile editing
The ability to build and update a site from a smartphone is no longer a luxury – it’s a must-have. Small business owners are already managing operations via mobile. A tool that allows them to publish content, edit pages, or manage bookings on the go supports their real working style.
- Simple, intuitive interface
Simplicity is everything. A builder should be designed for people who don’t write code, don’t know what “hosting” means, and don’t want to spend hours watching tutorials. A clean interface, straightforward steps and user-friendly language make all the difference.
- AI onboarding
Starting from scratch is hard. AI-powered onboarding removes friction by generating a tailored site based on just a few inputs. The business owner doesn’t have to make a hundred decisions upfront. Instead, they get a head start and can tweak from there.
- Store and bookings functionality
Most small businesses want more than just a brochure site; they need to take payments, sell products, and/or manage appointments. Built-in commerce and booking tools allow them to run their business online, all from one place.
- Real-time mobile and desktop previews
Confidence matters. Seeing exactly how a site looks on mobile or desktop in real-time gives users clarity and control. It also reduces mistakes and improves the quality of the final result.
So, where does BaseKit fit in?
BaseKit offers telcos a white-label solution they can brand and offer as part of their small business portfolio. Its standout features – mobile editing, AI-powered onboarding, built-in commerce tools, and live previews – make it especially relevant in the age of AI.
What sets us apart is not just that our software has been designed specifically for small business owners, but also that our robust, secure, and self-contained platform already powers millions of websites worldwide and is designed to help our partners scale.
From telco to tech partner
In the age of AI, telcos have a choice: continue selling connectivity alone, or evolve into partners that help businesses thrive in a digital world.
Offering intuitive tools, such as a mobile website builder, is a clear and achievable step toward that evolution. It’s a way to stay relevant, deepen relationships and grow revenue – all while helping small businesses unlock the potential of AI in ways that feel effortless.
Smartphones have revolutionised the way small businesses operate. Smart sites – built quickly, managed on mobile, and powered with the help of AI – are the next logical step. And telcos are ideally placed to make it happen.