*Thisarticle is based on a YouTube video by Sophie Hundertmark, an expert in the use of artificial intelligence with a focus on chatbots and strategic AI applications in companies and public institutions. Sophie is a researcher and lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and is doing her doctorate in Conversational AI at the University of Fribourg. The blog text was created using a custom GPT model that was trained on Sophie’s video content, language style and expertise. The result is well-founded, up-to-date articles based on Sophie Hundertmark‘s own expertise.
You can find the link to the video at the end of this article.
AI has long since moved beyond simply creating text, images, or presentations. Nowadays, even entire websites can be created directly using AI tools. One interesting feature for this is ChatGPT Sites. This allows you to create a simple website in no time, without having to write any code yourself.
I tried out the feature and had a page created about myself and my professional work. In this post, I’ll show you how ChatGPT Sites works, what’s already working well, and what the limitations of the feature are.
What is ChatGPT Sites?
If you look under “More” on the left side of ChatGPT, you’ll find various sections such as Images, Shopping, Sites, and GPTs.
You may already be familiar with GPTs: They allow you to create custom assistants tailored to specific tasks or use cases. Sites adds another option. This isn’t about an assistant; it’s about creating a website directly with ChatGPT.
The exciting thing about it is that you don’t have to write HTML or use a traditional website builder. Instead, just tell ChatGPT which page you need.
Here’s how I created my first page using ChatGPT
For my test, I wanted to create a website that showcases me and my professional work. My prompt was worded quite simply: ChatGPT was supposed to create a page about me that highlights my professional expertise, with the goal of attracting new clients.
The result was available after about ten minutes.
The result was a relatively simple but very appealing website. What was particularly interesting was that ChatGPT drew on content from my existing website to generate the text.
These included, among other things, existing texts, images, and references. At the same time, the content wasn’t simply copied. ChatGPT restructured the page, wrote additional text, and decided on its own which content should be highlighted.
New phrasing and a relevant quote were also generated automatically. ChatGPT even added certain links on its own. For example, the legal notice included a link to my existing website.
This highlights one of the feature’s greatest strengths: a relatively brief description is enough to generate a complete initial website design.
The Benefits of ChatGPT Sites
ChatGPT Sites is especially useful when you need to get things done quickly. You can put an idea into words and, within a short time, receive a visual draft that you can then refine further.
I find this feature particularly interesting for two use cases:
- Initial website designs: If you’re not quite sure yet what your new website should look like, you can quickly try out different ideas with ChatGPT Sites.
- Short-term websites: For an event, a specific occasion, or a limited-time promotion, a simple page may be all you need.
You can then edit the page you’ve created and share it with others. You can choose whether it should be publicly available or accessible only to you.
This can be particularly interesting for prototypes. Instead of spending a long time discussing the structure, content, and layout of a website, you can start by having a concrete version created and then use it as a starting point for further work.
What are the limitations of ChatGPT Sites?
As practical as this feature is, I would take a closer look at it before using it on a corporate website that needs to be productive over the long term.
One important point, for example, is the URL. With a site created using ChatGPT Sites, you won’t initially have your own standard company URL, like the one you’re used to seeing on a professionally hosted website.
This can be important both in terms of public perception and search engine optimization. If you want to use a website over the long term for your business, your personal brand, or to attract customers, having your own domain and control over the hosting are key.
That’s why I see ChatGPT sites primarily as a quick and easy way to get started—rather than as a substitute for any kind of professional website.
Alternative: Create an HTML webpage using AI
If you need more control over your website, there’s another interesting approach: You can use an AI assistant to have an HTML file created for you directly.
For example, I created an entire website in about two hours using Claude. To that end, I described in the discussion how the website should be structured, what content it needs, and what features should be included.
In the end, I had the program generate a finished index.html file for me. I was then able to upload this file to my own hosting provider.
The big advantage: This meant the website was accessible directly through my own URL.
Interactive elements and various features could also be integrated in this way. Even a language selector was created through interaction with the AI.
This highlights just how much generative AI is transforming web development. You don’t necessarily have to know how to code to build a custom website. Instead, you can describe what you need to the AI, test the result, and refine it step by step.
ChatGPT sites or your own HTML website—which is better?
Which approach makes more sense depends largely on your specific use case.
If you want to start by visualizing an idea, creating a prototype, or quickly launching a small website, ChatGPT Sites is an interesting and fast way to do so. You can get started without any prior technical knowledge and see visible results in no time.
If, on the other hand, you want to use a website productively over the long term, I would currently lean more toward a custom-built website. AI can take a large part of that work off your hands today, too. However, with your own HTML file and your own hosting, you’ll have more control over the domain, content, features, and technical development.
Therefore, the two approaches do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. ChatGPT Sites, for example, can be used to quickly create a first draft. This can then serve as inspiration for a custom-designed website.
AI Makes Creating Websites Much Easier
ChatGPT Sites provides a very good illustration of the direction in which AI tools are evolving. We no longer use AI just to create individual pieces of content for a website. Instead, we are increasingly able to generate fully digital results.
For initial drafts, quick ideas, and websites needed on short notice, ChatGPT Sites is definitely worth checking out.
At the same time, it’s worth trying out different approaches. An AI-generated HTML webpage can be an exciting alternative, especially for productive applications, because it gives you more control over the final result.
It’s best to try it out for yourself to see which approach works best for your specific use case. Especially with new AI features, it’s often only when you use them in practice that you realize where they can really save you time.
Any further questions?
Do you have any questions? I am happy to support you, act as a sparring partner and answer your questions. I am always happy to receive your messages, preferably by WhatsApp message or e-mail.
