AI Website Builders: Pros and Cons

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming an increasingly more talked-about tool for everything from content creation to research to web development. Do-it-yourself web building applications like Wix and Squarespace have also jumped on the bandwagon and are now offering AI-built site options; exactly how useful are these AI tools and are they worth trying for your website? Here we lay out the pros and cons and learn exactly how to gauge the success of these new tools.

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Advantages

Ease of Use and Accessibility: Truly, AI website builders are intuitively built to be so user-friendly that even a person without any prior web design experience could easily build one. Drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates in the websites mean users can come up with visually appealing websites fast, with little learning required. This low learning curve makes them a fit for assistance and as a fun project for those who would like to experiment with the technology.

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It’s Cost-Effective and Speedy: AI website builders are relatively more affordable compared to a professional web designer. They have cost-effective packages—in fact, some have even a free version—thereby accommodating different types of budgets. Fast set-up, plus the automatic updating these platforms provide, are part of what has made many so curious about this method.

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AI-Driven Design Enhancements: The platforms are AI-driven to suggest design elements, layouts, and content in accordance with user inputs and preferences. This aids in arriving at something slightly more cohesive with very little effort. However, at this time technology is simply nowhere near on par with professional design services.

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Disadvantages

Limited Customization and Flexibility: AI website builders provide a range of templates. However, customization options can be restricted. This limitation might be problematic for users seeking a unique or highly specialized design. Advanced features and custom integrations are often not supported, which can restrict functionality and adaptability.

This could be a poor brand fit with your existing brand style and values because, at best, the AI can only be partially capable of understanding what really makes you unique and translate that feeling into its design. For instance, if your brand emphasizes innovation and cutting-edge technology, a standard template might not convey the same level of sophistication or modernity that a custom-designed site could. This misalignment can impact how visitors perceive your brand and potentially undermine your efforts to differentiate yourself in a competitive market.

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Not As Cost Effective As They Seem: Choosing AI-generated web designs can be a cost-effective solution in the short term, offering a lower initial expense for building a website quickly. However, this apparent savings can be deceptive, as the true cost may be higher in the long run. While AI platforms provide a budget-friendly entry point, their limitations in customization and functionality might necessitate additional investments later on. As your business grows and your needs become more complex, you may find yourself needing to upgrade or completely overhaul your site to achieve a more unique and scalable solution. These ongoing costs for modifications, potential redesigns, and dealing with limitations can add up, greatly overshadowing the initial savings over time. In essence, while AI-generated websites offer short-term affordability, they may lead to greater expenses (not to mention headaches) in the future as you seek to enhance or adapt your online presence.

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Performance Concerns: Besides, while some AI builders offer basic SEO tools, they are not as good compared to a professional developer's tools. Performance optimization is also an issue, and this may affect user experience and search engine rankings.

For example, the AI tools available on these platforms usually provide surface-level insights and recommendations for improving SEO. They might just suggest general best practices but often lack the ability to offer comprehensive data analysis or tailored strategies based on in-depth research. Professional developers, on the other hand, use advanced SEO tools and techniques to conduct thorough audits, track performance metrics, and implement targeted optimizations that can significantly enhance a site’s search engine rankings.

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Generic Designs: AI platforms mostly work with designed templates. This can result in websites that look somewhat similar to others built with the same tools. AI website builders often use stock images, generic icons, and common design elements. While these resources can be practical, they may result in a website that lacks originality and feels impersonal. The overuse of stock imagery and design elements can make your site blend in with others that use the same assets, which may result in a bland and forgettable site. Nobody wants that!

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Absence of Artistic Flair: Creativity involves more than just combining elements in an aesthetically pleasing way. It encompasses an understanding of visual storytelling, emotional impact, and innovative design techniques. AI, while capable of generating aesthetically balanced layouts, cannot replicate the nuanced artistic sense of a human designer. This means that AI-generated websites might lack the unique touches and creative flourishes that contribute to a compelling and memorable user experience.

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Platform Dependence: Creation by an AI website builder makes you dependent on a certain platform. Data and content management are handled by the platform, which can raise concerns about data security and ownership.

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Are AI web builders right for you?

AI website builders offer a convenient and cost-effective solution for quickly creating websites, with automated design enhancements. Ai generated sites might be great for displaying your child’s online science project,  but they come with limitations in customization, advanced features, and performance optimization. 

In order to create a proper finished product for your business, it is still highly recommended to work with a design agency. For those needing a unique, highly functional, and strategically optimized website, a professional web designer is worth the initial investment to guarantee a site that is best suited for your needs and results in greater exposure, and consequently, profits. For tips on how to find a web designer, check out this article.

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