How to create a simple website using AI

Have you ever struggled with knowing how to code a website for your small business, portfolio or project? You maybe think you’d need to learn HTML, alter tonnes of settings and spend ages trying to get your button to work.

Thankfully with AI website builders, you can easily create a simple website. You’ll have suggestions on how to layout your website, ideas on what to include in your content and organised content based on your description. You will still have full control when designing your website.

In this article, we’ll show you how to create a simple website using AI tools. We’ll be using an example of a home baker.

1. Decide what you want your website to do

When using an AI tool to create your website, you should know what you want people to do on your website.

For example, if you are a home baker, you may want people to look at your designs and request a cake. If you are a freelance designer, you may want people to look at your previous work and contact you. As a student you may want to showcase your work.

Note down who you’re targeting, what you want to achieve and what information you want to include. If you’re creating a simple business website you may just want your homepage, services/products page, about page and contact.

Avoid extra features. Even though it can look amazing to have a detailed 10 page website, it is most likely better to keep it simple with just 3 pages.

2. Choose your AI website builder

There are a few AI website builders.

Wix allows you to use AI to create your website. Simply tell them about your business and adjust the design. Framer also allows you to use AI to create pages and adjust using visual tools.

Both are worth noting. Both are slightly different. Look into the prices for the current time. Do you need a custom domain, payment features and advanced features?

Stick to one AI website builder to create your first website. This means you’ll know how to use the editor. This will save you time.

You can also use an AI chatbot to help plan your page. However this will only give text.

3. Be specific with your prompt

Your prompt will tell the AI builder exactly what to do. If you’re not specific with your prompt, your website will look very generic.

Be specific. Tell the AI builder exactly what you want. Tell them about your business, who you’re targeting, what design you want, what pages and what you want people to do.

For example,

"Create a clean website for a home baker based in Lahore called Sweet Crumbs. Use warm colours such as creams and chocolates. Create a homepage, cake gallery, about page and contact details. Include a Request a Cake button. Keep the design friendly, simple and easy to navigate. Include placeholder text."

This is a very specific prompt. I haven’t included prices, address or customer reviews as I wouldn’t know what these would be.

If you’re not happy with your first website, adjust your prompt. Ask for less pages, clear menu and large text.

4. Change your placeholder text

Your website will start to become personal.

Your website builder may create some amazing headings, services and images. However they may have some errors and false information. Never include false testimonials, qualifications, prices or contact details.

Change the text. Describe simply what you offer. Instead of "We deliver innovative culinary excellence" we could write "Fresh bespoke cakes for birthdays and celebrations in Lahore".

If possible, include your own images. Including images of your products will help customers know what they’re purchasing and will help you stand out from others using the same template.

Ensure your content makes sense. If there are any complicated sentences, adjust these.

5. Make your website easy to navigate

Just because your website looks nice, doesn’t mean it is easy to navigate.

Ensure your menu is clear. People should be able to easily find your products, pricing and contact details. Ensure your key CTA is at the top of your homepage and throughout.

Keep your paragraphs short, headings clear and font easy to read. Ensure you have plenty of padding around your buttons.

Most AI website builders will allow you to personalise your colours, images, sections and padding. Don’t settle for a messy design.

As you’re a home baker, it is more important to have a clear cake gallery and easy to click enquiry button. Having a well designed website will help users complete a task without needing to think.

6. Ensure your website looks good on mobile

Someone may have found your bakery through a social media post whilst on the bus. They would likely look at your website on their phone.

Look at your website on the mobile version of your website builder. Look at your homepage, menu, gallery and enquiry form. Are the headings cut off? Are the images overlapping with text? Is the enquiry button easy to click?

Adjust any areas that look busy or unclear. If possible look at your live site on a real phone.

Even though your AI website builder may suggest your website will look good on mobile, it cannot guarantee everything will look great. Spend a few minutes adjusting your website.

7. Add basic SEO and useful information

Adding SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) will help search engines and users know what your pages are.

Ensure your titles and meta descriptions make sense. For example on our homepage we could have "Custom Birthday Cakes in Lahore | Sweet Crumbs". This will help people know what we do and where.

Ensure your headings make sense. Ensure your images have useful alt text. Avoid repeating the same keywords throughout each paragraph.

Ensure your business name, address and contact details are the same throughout. If you have a contact form ensure the messages are being sent to the right place.

Whilst your AI will create some text to help with your SEO, ensure all statements are true. Google advise to focus on giving accurate and useful information.

8. Preview, publish and test

Have a quick look at your website.

Click through all your navigation links. Look at your gallery. Enquire. Ensure there are no spelling errors, contact details and buttons that say they will do something.

Ensure your publishing settings are set correctly. Some website builders will allow you to publish your website to a branded subdomain. If you would like to use your own domain this may be an additional cost. This is what people will type into their browser. Your website will need to be hosted. Many managed website builders will include this.

Once published, look at the public link on a private browser. Look at it again on your phone. If anything isn’t working, go back into the editor and adjust.

Common Mistakes When Creating a Website using AI

Assuming your AI draft is ready to show your customers. There may be repeated information, irrelevant images and missing information.

Paying for features you don’t need. If you’re creating a simple portfolio you probably won’t need a fully functional shop. Keep it simple, add features if needed.

Being worried about security. Don’t include any customer information, passwords or sensitive business documents in your prompt. If your website has any personal information ensure you know how your website builder deals with this and what privacy information you need to include.

Not keeping your website up to date. Ensure your opening times are up to date, any old promotions are removed and check your forms occasionally. Whilst your AI will help you get started, you will need someone to manage your website to ensure it is trustworthy.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a programmer to create a useful first website. Decide what you want to achieve, choose an AI website builder and describe your idea. Adjust your website to ensure the information is accurate and test thoroughly.

It could be a simple homepage with a few images and easy contact details for a small business. Or to showcase your best work for a portfolio.

Although you’ll be using AI tools, they will help save you some time with the boring set up.

Keep it simple, keep it useful and improve as you learn.