How Do AI Website Builders Work?
AI website builders use large language models (LLMs) to transform your text description into a complete website. You describe your business in plain English, the AI analyzes your industry, target audience, and goals, then generates custom HTML, CSS, images, and content - all in under 60 seconds. Unlike templates, each AI-generated site is unique to your specific needs.
Last updated: December 2025
The 4-Step AI Website Generation Process
Here's exactly what happens when you use an AI website builder like ChilledSites to create a website.
You Describe Your Business
Enter your business name, type (e.g., "Italian restaurant in Manchester"), and any specific requirements. The more detail you provide, the better the result.
AI Analyzes & Plans
The AI identifies your industry, target audience, and common user expectations. It plans the site structure, sections, and content strategy.
AI Generates Everything
The AI creates HTML structure, CSS styling, written content, and selects appropriate images. Everything is generated fresh, not pulled from templates.
Your Site Goes Live
In under 60 seconds, you have a complete, mobile-responsive website ready to publish. Edit anything you want, then launch.
The Technology Behind AI Website Builders
Large Language Models (LLMs)
AI website builders are powered by large language models - the same technology behind ChatGPT and Claude. These models have been trained on billions of web pages, learning patterns in design, content, and code.
When you describe your business, the LLM draws on this training to generate appropriate content, choose suitable layouts, and write clean code - all tailored to your specific needs.
How ChilledSites Uses AI
ChilledSites uses Claude (by Anthropic) to power its website generation. Claude excels at understanding nuanced business descriptions and generating high-quality, contextually appropriate content and code.
What the AI Actually Generates
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HTML Structure
Semantic, accessible markup with proper heading hierarchy and SEO-friendly structure.
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CSS Styling
Modern, responsive CSS with appropriate colors, typography, and spacing for your industry.
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Written Content
Headlines, body copy, calls-to-action, and meta descriptions tailored to your business.
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Image Selection
Appropriate stock imagery or AI-generated images that match your business context.
What You Can (and Can't) Customize
What You CAN Customize
- All text content - headlines, paragraphs, buttons, everything
- Images - swap any image with your own or generate new ones
- Colors & fonts - match your brand identity
- Section order - rearrange, add, or remove sections
- Contact information - phone, email, address, social links
- Forms & CTAs - add contact forms, booking buttons, etc.
Current Limitations
- Complex e-commerce - basic stores work, but complex inventory needs Shopify
- Custom databases - user accounts, dashboards need custom development
- Complex animations - basic animations yes, but not Webflow-level
- Third-party integrations - some supported, but not all CRMs/tools
Pro tip: AI website builders are perfect for 80% of business websites. For complex web apps or custom functionality, tools like Bolt.new or traditional development are better suited.
AI vs Templates vs Manual Building
| Factor | AI Builders | Template Builders | Manual/Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Launch | 60 seconds | 2-8 hours | 2-8 weeks |
| Uniqueness | Unique every time | Shared with others | Fully custom |
| Content Creation | AI writes it | You write it | You provide it |
| Technical Skill Needed | None | Basic | Advanced |
| Cost | £10-50 | £100-500/year | £2,000-10,000+ |
| Best For | Small businesses, MVPs | Blogs, portfolios | Complex web apps |
When AI Website Builders Are NOT the Right Choice
AI builders are powerful, but they're not the solution for every project. Here's when you should look elsewhere.
Large E-commerce Stores
If you need inventory management, complex product variants, or integration with shipping providers, use Shopify or WooCommerce instead. AI builders handle simple product showcases, not full e-commerce operations.
Web Applications
User dashboards, login systems, real-time features, or data-heavy applications require full-stack development. Consider Bolt.new or Lovable for these use cases.
Complex Integrations
If your site needs to connect with specific CRMs, ERPs, or custom APIs that aren't commonly supported, you'll need developer help. AI builders support common integrations but not everything.
When AI Builders ARE Perfect
- Business landing pages
- Restaurant websites
- Professional portfolios
- Service business sites
- Event pages
- Product showcases
- Coming soon pages
- Local business sites
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an AI website builder create a website?
AI website builders use large language models (LLMs) to analyze your text description, understand your business type and goals, then generate appropriate HTML, CSS, and content. The AI selects layouts, colors, and imagery based on your industry and preferences.
What information does AI need to build a website?
Typically, AI needs your business name, industry/type, a brief description of what you do, and optionally your brand colors or style preferences. Some AI builders like ChilledSites can also analyze photos you upload to match your existing brand.
Can I customize an AI-generated website?
Yes, most AI website builders allow customization after generation. You can edit text, swap images, change colors, add sections, and modify layouts. ChilledSites offers a visual editor plus AI-powered editing where you describe changes in plain English.
Is AI-generated website code high quality?
Modern AI builders produce clean, semantic HTML and CSS that's mobile-responsive and SEO-friendly. ChilledSites generates production-ready code with proper accessibility features, fast load times, and search engine optimization built in.
How is an AI website builder different from templates?
Templates are pre-made designs you fill in, while AI builders create unique websites from scratch based on your specific description. AI can combine elements in unlimited ways, creating truly custom designs rather than variations of the same template.
See AI Website Building in Action
Describe your business and watch AI create your website in 60 seconds. No technical skills needed.
Free to try • No credit card required • Build unlimited previews