Should web developers bother with AI website builders?

Why use AI builders if you know how to code?

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As a professional web developer, you may be skeptical about using one of thebest AI website builders. After all, you already have the coding skills to build sites from scratch. Why would you need or want to use an AI tool that seems geared more towards beginners?

It turns out, there are actually several compelling reasons why even experienced developers can benefit from AI. AI website builders, for example, can streamline your existing workflow, improve turnaround times, and even introduce additional revenue streams for your business.

Want to learn how? I’m a professional no-code writer, reviewer, and development enthusiast who’s been experimenting with all thebest website buildersand AI website builders. Here’s how I think you can use AI tools as a professional developer.

Understanding how AI tools work in web design

AI website builders use machine learning to automate and optimize various aspects of the web development process. These tools are trained on vast datasets of existing websites, allowing them to understand design principles, user experience best practices, and coding patterns.

When you input your content and design preferences into an AI website builder, it analyzes that information and generates a unique website layout tailored to your specific needs. The algorithm considers factors like color schemes, typography, image placement, and responsive design to create a visually appealing and functional website.

Under the hood, the AI is essentially writing the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code for you based on its understanding of web design best practices. It can also optimize the code for performance, ensuring fast load times and smooth user experiences across devices.

Some AI website builders even use natural language processing (NLP) to allow users to describe their desired website using plain English. The algorithm then interprets those instructions and generates a corresponding website design. This makes the process of creating a website feel more intuitive and accessible, even for users with no coding experience.

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But, these website builders are not a complete replacement for human developers. While they can automate many aspects of the process, they still require human input, guidance, and fine-tuning to achieve the best results. Professional developers can leverage AI tools to streamline their workflow, but your expertise and creativity are still essential to building truly high-quality websites.

How can AI tools help professional web developers?

For professional web developers, AI website builders can add efficiency and speed to your typical workflow. By automating repetitive tasks and providing intelligent design suggestions, these tools allow developers to focus on higher-level strategy and custom coding.

Here are some specific use cases for how developers can leverage AI website builders:

A few developer-friendly AI website builders to try

Not all AI website builders cater to beginners. Plenty of advanced tools also exist — ones that cater specifically to technically-savvy and coding-literate users who want to build complex designs faster. Here are some of them you can try today, from Webflow to Bubble to Editor X.

Webflow

Webflow is a powerful no-code web development platform that combines the flexibility of custom coding with the ease of visual design tools. With Webflow, developers can create complex, responsive websites without writing HTML, CSS, or JavaScript by hand.

It offers a wide range of customization options, including the ability to add custom code snippets and integrate with external APIs. Webflow’s collections and ecommerce features make it a versatile choice for building dynamic, data-driven websites.

Read our fullWebflow website builder reviewto learn more.

Framer

Framer is a design and prototyping tool that leverages AI to help developers create interactive, animated user interfaces. Framer lets you design and code simultaneously using a React-based framework to build fully functional web and mobile apps.

The platform’s AI-powered design assistant can generate code snippets and suggest design improvements based on your inputs. Framer also integrates with popular design tools like Figma and Sketch, making it easy to incorporate into your existing workflow.

Read our fullFramer website builder reviewto learn more.

Wix Studio

Wix Studio has replaced Editor X as the companies dedicated platform for advanced website design.

AI-assisted design tools can help you optimize your site’s layout, color scheme, and typography for maximum impact. Wix Studio also offers a range of advanced features like API integration, custom code injection, and e-commerce functionality.

Read our fullWix reviewto find out more.

Bubble

Bubble is a no-code web application development platform that allows developers to create complex, data-driven apps without writing traditional code. Its visual programming interface can design your app’s UI, define its data structure, and set up logic and workflows using intuitive drag-and-drop tools.

AI can help you troubleshoot issues, optimize performance, and even suggest new features based on your app’s data. Plus, Bubble offers a robust plugin ecosystem and API integration capabilities.

Duda

Duda is one of thebest website builders for agenciesand freelancers, focusing on creating fast, mobile-friendly websites for businesses. With responsive design tools and pre-built templates, Duda users can quickly create professional-looking websites that adapt seamlessly to any device.

Duda’s design assistant can analyze your website’s content and suggest optimizations for layout, images, and calls-to-action. It also offers built-in tools forSEO, e-commerce, and multi-language site management.

Read our fullDuda website builder reviewto learn more.

Ritoban Mukherjee is a freelance tech and innovations journalist from West Bengal, India. His work focuses on reviews, guides, and features about consumer and business software, such as AI website builders and CRM platforms, among other things. He has been published on Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, Creative Bloq, IT Pro Portal, Gizmodo, Medium, Quartz, and Mental Floss.

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