AI website builders: good enough for a small business?

2 min read · Updated

The short answer

An AI website builder can produce a decent-looking site in minutes, which is useful for getting started. What it can't do is know your business: it fills pages with generic copy and sometimes invents services, areas or claims. Treat it as a first draft, replace every generic line with your real details, and check what you can export.

What they do well

  • A layout, color scheme and page structure in minutes.
  • Placeholder copy to react against.
  • Basic pages: home, services, about, contact.

What to fix before publishing

  • Every generic sentence, replaced with what you actually do and where.
  • Services, areas, certifications or years in business it made up.
  • Stock photos, replaced with your own.
  • Page titles and descriptions, if the builder lets you set them.

The part AI can't do

Know that you stopped offering a service last spring, that you don't go north of the river, or that your best customers find you through one supplier. A site that says those things accurately beats a prettier one that doesn't.

Questions

Is an AI-built website bad for SEO?

Not by itself. Generic, inaccurate or thin pages are the problem, however they were made.

Can I move an AI-built site later?

It depends on the platform. Check export options before you commit.

Should I use one to start?

For a first site, it's a reasonable start. Put your real details in before it goes live.

Want to discuss Websites?

Book a time with Lehvel and we’ll go through what your business actually needs.