If you’re a non-coder and want to create your own website, you might be thinking: should I use a website builder or ask AI to write all my website code?
In theory, AI sounds like the ultimate solution. After all, you just ask ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI to generate HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and voilà – your site appears. Right? Well… not exactly.
If you’re surprised that AI just doesn’t give you the right answers every time, read “Google AI Says to put Elmer’s Glue in Your Pizza Sauce…How Smart Is AI Really?“.
For non-coders, trying to build a complete website with AI can quickly become overwhelming – even discouraging. AI tools are great for snippets, troubleshooting, or adding functionality to an existing site, but expecting them to produce a complete, working website in one go – and without bugs – often leads to frustration.
The Reality of AI-Generated Websites
Here’s what often happens:
- AI gives you partial code every day. Large websites are composed of multiple files and components. AI cannot always generate the entire structure at once, especially in environments where files are split across directories, like many hosting platforms.
- Integration headaches. Copying and pasting snippets from AI into a live hosting environment can break existing files or create conflicts. Suddenly, the website is half-working, half-broken.
- Non-stop adjustments. Every time AI gives you new code, you must adjust and test it. For non-technical users, it can feel like trying to navigate a maze with the walls shifting every day.
Even with AI-powered support, the learning curve is steep, and progress can feel painfully slow.
Why Website Builders Can Save You Weeks of Frustration
This is where modern website builders shine. They’re designed for people who aren’t professional coders. Unlike AI, which gives you raw code to assemble, a website builder provides:
- Pre-built structures. Everything from headers to footers, navigation menus, and page layouts comes ready to use.
- Organized file structure. Your website’s files and components are already properly structured, so you don’t have to worry about broken layouts or missing links.
- Integrated hosting and support. You can get your hosting environment already set up correctly, and support teams can help you without asking you to debug fragmented code. If you choose UltimateWB, at the same time you can have the option to switch servers.
- Flexibility with control. Builders let you tweak design and content as needed, without requiring deep coding knowledge.
Instead of fighting with fragmented code snippets, you can focus on your content, your design, and your business goals.
When AI Can Still Help
AI isn’t useless – far from it. The key is knowing how to use it effectively:
- Generate specific code snippets (like a JavaScript animation, or custom CSS for a button) to plug into your builder.
- Create content such as blog posts, product descriptions, or meta tags.
- Troubleshoot errors on your custom coding, or suggest optimizations when your site behaves unexpectedly.
AI works best as a tool in your toolkit, not a full replacement for structured website development.
The Bottom Line
If you’re non-technical and want to get a professional website up and running quickly, a modern website builder will save you weeks of stress. AI can support you, but it cannot magically assemble a full, hosted website in one go – especially when you’re juggling multiple files, hosting quirks, and coding gaps.
Think of it this way: AI is like a helpful assistant, while a website builder is like having the scaffolding and tools already in place. The choice isn’t about avoiding AI – it’s about choosing the right approach for your skills and goals.
TL;DR: Trying to have AI build your entire website is slow, stressful, and error-prone for non-coders. Using a website builder gives you structure, control, and speed – while still letting AI help with content and small features.
Related:
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Ready to design & build your own website with an easy, low-maintenance website builder? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.