- Yoon Jeong Cho
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
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This guide breaks down the essential, must-have features of an AI website builder so you can choose the tool that helps you build a better website with AI.
But not all AI website builders are created equal. Some are incredibly powerful tools that act more like a creative partner, while others are little more than random template generators. If you want a website that actually helps your business grow, rather than just filling a URL, you need to know what to look for.
In order to choose the right AI website builder you need to find a balance between automation and control. You want the speed of AI but you also want the freedom to make your website your own.
Must have features of an AI website builder
01. Context-aware design generation
The most basic job of an AI website builder is to create a website layout. But a great AI website builder doesn't just pull a random design out of a hat, it should understand the context of what you're building too.
A portfolio for a moody wedding photographer needs a completely different vibe than a landing page for a children's dentist. The best AI website builders ask you specific questions about your industry, your style preferences and your goals. Or they get you to interact with them via a chat interface where you feed them those directions and guidance in natural language. They then use that information to generate a site that fits your brand personality right out of the gate.
The best AI website builders, including Base44, that offers generative design rather than just matching you with a pre-made website template. This means the AI is making decisions about color palettes, font pairings and layout structures based on your unique inputs. It gets you 80% of the way there instantly, giving you a solid website that feels professional and intentional.
02. Deep customization capabilities
This is where many people get stuck with creating a website with AI. They use a simple AI tool to generate a site, but when they want to move a button three inches to the left, they can’t. The builder locks them into a rigid grid.
A great AI website builder understands that the AI’s output is just a draft. You must have the ability to change anything and everything, something often called design freedom. You should be able to move elements anywhere on the screen, resize images, change typography and tweak spacing without fighting the software. Either through AI prompts or through a drag and drop editor, depending on the type of AI website builder you choose to use.
If the AI builds a section you don't love, you should be able to regenerate just that specific part by chatting with your builder or manually edit with a drag and drop editor until it's perfect. The goal is to have the AI do the heavy lifting of the initial build but leave the final edits in your hands. If a builder restricts your ability to edit, you'll eventually outgrow it as your business and brand grows.
Vibe coding a website shouldn't restrict the look and functionality of the site you build. It should be as customization as any other website you build.
03. Mobile editing and optimization
A huge chunk of your website traffic will come from mobile devices, so your mobile site cannot be an afterthought.
Most builders will automatically squish your desktop site down to fit a phone screen. Sometimes this works but often it looks cluttered or breaks the flow of the page. A must-have feature is a dedicated mobile editor.
You need the ability to adjust the mobile view independently of the desktop view. Maybe you want to hide a large decorative image on mobile to speed up loading times, or perhaps you want to stack your buttons differently for easier tapping. The best platforms let you fine-tune the mobile experience so it feels native and comfortable for visitors on the go.
04. Intelligent content creation
A great looking website with empty boxes isn't very useful. One of the biggest hurdles in launching a site is writing the copy. You know what you want to say but staring at a blinking cursor can be paralyzing.
Robust website AI builders come with built-in text generation tools. You should be able to tell the AI, "Write a friendly paragraph introducing my dog walking business," and get a usable block of text instantly. It helps you fill out your pages faster and keeps the tone consistent across the site.
This is also where better prompts for vibe coding a website come in handy.
But it goes beyond text because visuals are just as important. Look for features that help you generate or edit images as well as text. Whether it's creating custom illustrations or enhancing your own photos, these tools save you from having to hire a separate graphic designer or copywriter just to get your basic website pages done.
05. Scalable business integrations
Your website is a tool for your business and your business is going to grow. The AI website builder you choose needs to be able to handle that growth. A simple brochure site might be fine for today but what about six months from now?
Maybe you decide to start selling merchandise. Can the builder add a store? Maybe you want to start booking consultations. Can it integrate a scheduling calendar? Perhaps you want to start a newsletter. Is there a built-in marketing suite?
The feature you are looking for here is extensibility. You want a website builder with a rich app market or built-in business solutions. You shouldn't have to migrate your entire site to a new platform just because you decided to add a blog or a checkout cart. The AI should help you set these up quickly, integrating them into your existing design without breaking the layout.
06. Reliable performance and security
This might not be the flashiest feature but it's arguably the most critical. When you build with AI, you're entrusting the platform with your brand's reputation. The site needs to load fast and it needs to be secure.
Slow websites lose visitors, yes it's really that that simple. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, people will click the back button. Look for website builders that prioritize performance optimization automatically. They should handle image compression and server response times in the background so you don't have to worry about it.
Website security is equally important. You want to know that your data—and your customers' data—is safe without you having to configure complex server settings.
07. Support and learning resources
Even with the smartest AI, you might get stuck. Maybe you’re trying to connect a custom domain, or maybe you’re trying to figure out how to set up shipping rules for your store. When that happens, you need help fast.
A must-have feature for any serious platform is accessible customer support. This could be 24/7 live chat, a comprehensive help center or a library of video tutorials. The best platforms also have active communities where you can ask questions and learn from other users. Knowing that help is available gives you the confidence to experiment and push the boundaries of what you’re building with AI.