WordPress.com launches a new AI-based site builder.
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WordPress.com has introduced a new AI-powered website builder, currently in early access, capable of creating websites on WordPress. This new resource promises to generate “beautiful and functional websites in minutes,” including fully written text, design, generated images, and more. However, for the moment, it is not suitable for creating e-commerce sites or those with "complex integrations." The company has indicated that additional features will be announced in the future.
To start the free trial of the WordPress AI Site Builder, you need a WordPress.com account. A credit card is not required to try the tool, but a WordPress.com hosting plan is needed for the site to be functional, starting at $18 per month (or less if paid for a full year).
The functioning of the builder is straightforward: prompts are entered into a chatbot. Users can specify whether they need a personal or business site, as well as detail the header design, color preferences, among other aspects. The more precise the initial instructions, the better the results will be; the chatbot can also request additional information such as the business name and location. Based on this, it generates a site that includes headers, images, and AI-generated text. Users can then continue adjusting elements like colors, styles, and photos through further instructions to the chatbot.
While experimenting with this tool, a fictitious website for a retro video game store was created, which featured a basic but functional design organized into sections such as Discover, Events, and Visit Us. A collection of images of random game rooms was generated, including an image of a girl leaning against a CRT television while playing a puzzle game similar to Tetris. Additionally, an event titled "Sega Saturday Showdown" was presented for which visitors could RSVP.
Once the site is built, it is possible to transfer it to WordPress.com hosting, where it can be manually edited further or returned to the AI builder. It is important to note that this tool is only available for new WordPress instances and cannot be used on existing sites.
This launch comes in a context where Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, announced a 16% reduction of its staff last week. Furthermore, it is facing a lawsuit filed by WP Engine, a hosting company that offers various tools for site creation and management.