How To Use AI to Build a Website in 2026

Using AI to build a website involves defining your goals, choosing an AI website builder, entering your business details, and generating a draft site with prompts.

Working from the draft, you can edit the design and content, optimize for SEO and accessibility, and test the site before publication.

This guide explains how to use AI to build a website step-by-step, including how AI website builders work, their benefits and limitations, and when they are the right choice.

How To Use AI To Build A Website

To use AI to build a website, define your goals and audience, choose an AI website builder, enter your business details, generate a draft site with prompts, customize design and content, optimize for SEO and accessibility, test the site, and publish.

Using AI to build a website is a straightforward process in which user-generated prompts define the site’s goals and style.

Once prompts are added, the AI uses them to generate templates, themes, and layouts, written content, and visual media.

These elements can then be manually edited and repositioned using the site owner’s drag-and-drop editor.

Here’s a concise, step-by-step overview of how to use AI to build a website:

1. Plan your website: Whether launching a small business idea or a large-scale operation, a website plan provides the foundation for the overall process.
2. Choose an AI website builder: Next, select the optimal builder for your goals, evaluating the cost and features you’ll need to get started.
3. Generate pages: With your builder chosen, you can generate your site’s core pages, using templates to streamline the process.
4. Customize content and design: AI-powered tools can then be utilized to flesh out the site’s content and design, adding visual media and informative text for your visitors.
5. Optimize and publish: AI tools can also be used for optimizing the website, from SEO and online store optimization to ensuring security measures are up to date.

You should continue to monitor your site’s performance after publication, using the builder’s built-in metrics and data analysis tools.

What Is An AI Website Builder?

An AI website builder is a tool that automatically generates customized, functional websites in minutes using artificial intelligence, based on user prompts.

The AI generates layouts and content for all types of websites, using machine learning and natural language processing to deliver high-quality results.

Once the site is generated, users can edit and customize pages, layout, and content, optimizing the site for publication.

Recommended reading: Website project plan.

How AI Website Builders Work

AI website builders work by analyzing user prompts and business details using machine learning and natural language processing to automatically generate page layouts, design styles, and written content.

Let’s explore the basic steps AI website builders use in more detail:

1. Interpreting user prompts with natural language processing, from the business name and industry to the site’s intended purpose and audience.
2. Creating templates and design elements, including the website’s fonts, color schemes, and written content.
3. Applying machine learning to generate the website by analyzing vast, design-related datasets to ensure the site is user-friendly and functional.
4. Facilitating human refinement via the editor, typically with a drag-and-drop functionality that streamlines layout tweaks and asset changes.
5. Assisting with search, mobile optimization, and accessibility checks (for example, against **World Wide Web Consortium WCAG 2.1 guidelines).

In short, AI website builders alleviate the need for in-depth website design timelines, instead performing the key tasks automatically.

Benefits Of Building A Website With AI

As more businesses embrace modern software development practices for AI, designing websites with AI is increasingly commonplace.

Here are some of the key benefits of creating a website with AI-powered builders and tools:

• Speed and ease of use: With no experience required for the coding and design process, AI-generated websites are exceptionally easy to build in a short period of time.
• Cost savings: Creating a professional website with AI is affordable, with many platforms bundling the required tools and website hosting.
• Design and content generation assistance: You don’t need to know how to design a logo when building a website with AI, which includes various tools you can use to create content and assist with the design process.
• Built-in optimization: AI web design tools can also assist with site optimization for e-commerce and search engine results, helping prepare the site for publication.

This versatility makes them suitable for all types of entrepreneurship and for quickly building personal sites.

Limitations And Risks Of AI Website Builders

Understanding the potential risks and limitations of using an AI website builder helps you make an informed decision about its suitability.

Here are some of the potential downsides of using an AI website builder, and steps you can take to overcome them:

• Generic design outputs: Artificial intelligence can create stunning websites, but user oversight may be necessary to avoid generic logos and other visual assets.
• Potentially inaccurate written content: Likewise, written content may require oversight for accuracy, particularly if it’s been used to write a bio or other content where accuracy is imperative.
• Data and privacy concerns: Websites that contain sensitive information, such as those for medical transportation businesses, may require additional work to ensure data is fully protected.

By evaluating your business type and the corresponding website requirements, you can weigh the viability of using an AI builder.

When to Use (and Not Use) AI Website Builders

Using AI to create websites isn’t always the best option; some site types are better suited to the technology than others.

Let’s break down when building a website with AI works best, so you can plan your website accordingly:

AI Website Builders Work Best For:

• Startups and solopreneurs working with limited budgets and requiring a faster turnaround for milestones and release dates.
• MVPs or test projects, used to demonstrate the viability of a new concept to attract additional investment and funding.
• Quick portfolios and family business pages with limited information and website complexity, which can be created by AI and easily edited before publication.

AI Builders May Not Be Ideal For:

• Custom-coded SaaS or eCommerce platforms may be limited by the platform’s security and compliance capabilities compared with fully custom solutions.
• Sites needing advanced integrations or industry-based compliance, or that must be published in line with specific government regulations.
• Large-scale content operations, such as entertainment streaming platforms for music, TV, and movies, with multi-channel distribution models.

Learn more: How to trademark a name.

Key AI Features & Tools

AI-powered tools can be used to create a website that includes all of the essential elements needed to succeed in a competitive market.

Some of the core functional categories of AI features used in website builders include:

• AI Design & Layout Generation: AI tools can be used to design a website from the ground up, generating layouts and site structures.
• AI Copywriting & Content Tools: There are several OpenAI-based writing assistants capable of copywriting and generating other written text, such as brand manifestos and About pages.
• AI Image & Visual Generation: AI tools like Canva and DALL·E can be used alongside built-in tools to create high-quality images and edit photos professionally. These tools are typically used alongside an AI website builder rather than replacing the builder entirely.
• SEO Optimization & Analytics Tools: Additional content optimization and performance tracking tools enable site owners to gain deep and actionable insights from their visitors.

With new AI tools for graphics and photos continually emerging, creating a fully functional, visually striking website has never been easier.

How To Use AI To Build A Website In 10 Steps

Whether you’re setting up a new personal blog or launching an online business, using AI will streamline the website creation process.

Here’s how to use AI to build a website, from defining your goals and audience expectations to building out the pages with high-quality content.

Step 1: Define Your Website Goals & Audience

Before using AI tools, you should plan your website and outline your core goals, essential structure, and target audience.

This process includes brainstorming a sitemap and other critical features, and determining what content the site requires.

Take the time to research competitors in your industry and draw up a checklist of features that align with your goals.

Step 2: Choose An AI Website Builder

Once you’ve established whether you’re making a business website or something else, you can find the best AI website builder for your needs.

When researching your options, prioritize platforms that offer fast content and design generation, with built-in SEO and accessibility tools.

Other factors include any necessary business features, such as scheduling and e-commerce, as well as the platform’s user-friendliness.

You can then shortlist potential platforms and compare their overall feature-set with pricing, subscription costs, and potential hidden fees.

Step 3: Enter Your Business Details

Entering your business details into the AI builder helps it more accurately assess your site’s tone and style in its proper context.

Whether you’re creating an informational website or a site for a local business, include the following information:

• Industry
• Services
• Location
• Brand voice
• Competitors

Once this information has been added, you can elaborate with more specific instructions for layout, style, and other elements.

Step 4: Write High-Quality Prompts

Writing high-quality AI prompts is vital for transforming the raw information provided into an aesthetically pleasing design that matches your vibe.

Here, you can use more descriptive language, referencing relevant media and designs that match your objectives.

When creating your prompts, aim for the following structure:

Identity + Target Audience + Vibe + Specific Features

You can then create additional prompts for different design processes, covering landing pages, online stores, and overall site navigation.

Step 5: Generate An Initial Site Draft

Once all your inputs have been added, you can let the AI generate an initial site draft, ready for you to review.

Review the draft’s layout, navigation, and visual style, and make extensive notes on tweaks and fixes you’d like to see.

Each of these aspects can then be addressed in turn, either through new AI prompts or direct, hands-on website editing.

Step 6: Upload Or Generate Visual Assets

During the initial site draft, the AI tools may have included generic, placeholder content and text that needs to be replaced.

These assets can be easily replaced in the builder’s editor tools, reinforcing your brand identity and changing the typography for written content.

You can use AI tools to generate new visual assets, such as infographics, images, and videos, or upload unique, human-created content.

If you’d prefer to avoid the stock-photo style, consider using tools like Midjourney and DALL-E 3 to create custom visuals.

Alternatively, you can hire designers, animators, and other creative professionals from freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.

Step 7: Refine Layout, Branding & Navigation

Refining your site’s layout goes beyond incorporating your brand pillars; it also involves improving site structure and navigation.

Check whether the site’s hierarchy is logical and has a clear flow that allows visitors to easily find relevant content.

Applying the “three-click rule” is another excellent method for optimizing navigation, along with limiting the number of primary menu items to avoid overwhelming visitors.

Including call-to-action buttons is also essential for optimizing site navigation, especially when funneling traffic towards sales.

Step 8: Personalize And Edit All AI-Generated Content

Once you’re happy with the layout and site structure, it’s time to personalize and edit all AI-generated content.

We’ve discussed the importance of replacing placeholders for your site’s brand elements, and the same process should be applied more broadly.

While AI tools can be used for written content, if your website includes such text, it may need to be edited and humanized.

This will ensure it reflects your distinct tone of voice and presents a sense of authenticity to site visitors, boosting retention.

Evaluate the pros and cons of blogging to decide how to approach written content built around keyword research for SEO and AEO.

Step 9: Optimize The Site For SEO, Accessibility & Mobile

Optimizing a website for SEO, accessibility, and small-screen mobile devices can often be handled with AI tools.

For search engine optimization, these tools can generate multiple assets, including meta titles, descriptions, and keywords for headings and content.

If you’re selling products or services, apply e-commerce website optimization to convert visitors into paying customers.

Checking the site for accessibility is also necessary, ensuring adherence to standards like WCAG, improving usability, and supporting search visibility.

Step 10: Gather Feedback, Test, & Publish

Before you hit “Publish” and launch your website, you should gather feedback and test it thoroughly to identify and resolve any outstanding issues.

When testing your website, address the following areas:

• Page loading speed
• Booking and contact forms
• Internal and external links
• Mobile device usability

If necessary, consider creating an FAQ page to help site visitors quickly resolve issues or find answers to common queries.

These test processes can then be added to your website maintenance guide, streamlining future reviews.

Essential resource: Website audit checklist.

Best Practices For Building A Website With AI

Building a website with AI is straightforward, but the process can be further enhanced by implementing best practices.

Here are some tips for streamlining your AI website-building process to achieve impressive results with speed:

• Establish clear branding guidelines: If you’re setting up a site and already have branding elements ready, use them to guide the AI.
• Optimize the site for machine discoverability: Implementing structured data, such as TL;DR sections and FAQs, can significantly improve your site’s discoverability.
• Schedule regular site maintenance: Planning maintenance and auditing your website are other strategies to keep it fresh and functional.

By using the builder’s built-in analytics, you can assess a range of metrics to refine your site’s functionality and SEO, thereby increasing traffic.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Website With AI?

The costs of building a website with AI vary, from free plans for casual bloggers to fully-fledged solutions for enterprises.

Here’s an overview of the three main pricing tiers you can expect to pay for AI website builders:

• Free and entry-level plans: Free AI builders are ideal for casual content creators who don’t mind external branding and ads on their pages. These can be upgraded to personal plans between $10 and £20 per month, removing ads and expanding asset storage.
• Typical pricing for standard business needs: For business websites and other professional services that require advanced tools and features, monthly subscriptions range from $20 to $50.
• E-commerce and enterprise-level solutions: If you need a complex site supporting high traffic volumes and custom integrations, subscription costs can exceed $100 per month.

Domain name and hosting costs should also be factored into the budget for AI-based website development.

Learn more: The 10 best AI business ideas.

FAQs About Using AI To Build A Website

If you’re still unsure about using AI to build your website, here are some answers to FAQs:

Can AI build a full business website?

Yes, AI can build fully functional business websites without coding, delivering publication-ready results in minutes.

AI website builders generate customized layouts based on user prompts, covering everything from landing pages to e-commerce stores.

Is an AI-built website good for SEO?

AI-built websites provide a solid SEO foundation, but can lack the deep optimization, backlinks, and content quality needed for high rankings.

By adding human oversight and content creation to the process, sites can improve their optimization and user experience.

Is it ethical to use AI to build websites for clients?

Using an AI builder for clients is ethical if its use is transparent and doesn’t compromise the quality of the final results.

If you’re using AI-powered tools to create a website for a client, clarify which tools and processes they cover.

Summary

Using AI to build a website involves five stages: planning your goals, selecting an AI website builder, generating and editing your site with prompts, optimizing for SEO, accessibility, and mobile devices, and testing before launch.

AI website builders significantly reduce the technical barrier to creating professional websites, but the best results still require human review, branding input, and content editing.

It’s a cost-effective and user-friendly option, with new and powerful AI tools emerging that address a variety of processes.