The Truth About AI Websites: Will They Actually Make You Money?
If you’ve spent five minutes on Facebook or Google lately, you’ve probably seen the ads. "Build a professional website in 60 seconds with AI!" or "The end of web designers!"
It sounds tempting, doesn't it? As a busy business owner in Brisbane, the idea of clicking a button and having a finished website ready to take bookings by lunchtime is a dream. No more back-and-forth with designers, no more waiting weeks for drafts, and a price tag that’s usually cheaper than a carton of beer.
But here is the reality check I give my mates when they ask about this: Building a website is easy. Building a website that makes people pick up the phone is hard.
I’ve seen dozens of local businesses—from electricians in Coorparoo to boutique shops in Paddington—get sucked into the AI hype, only to find themselves three months later with a site that looks okay but doesn't bring in a single lead.
In this guide, I’m going to break down the different AI approaches available right now. I’ll tell you what works, what’s a complete waste of your time, and how much it’s actually going to cost you in the long run.
The Three Ways AI "Builds" Your Website
Not all AI builders are the same. They generally fall into three buckets, and the one you choose will determine whether you get a tool that grows your business or a digital paperweight.
1. The "Magic Button" Builders (Wix ADI, Hostinger AI)
These are the ones you see in the ads. You answer four questions about your business, and it spits out a site.The Good: It’s incredibly fast. If you just need a digital business card so people can check you're a real human, this does the job. The Bad: The text it writes is usually boring and generic. It uses phrases like "We strive for excellence" and "Customer-centric solutions." Nobody in Brisbane talks like that. Your customers want to know if you’ll show up on time and if you’ve fixed a leaky roof in their suburb before. The Verdict: Great for a hobby, risky for a serious business. You often end up with a slow website that frustrates people before they even see your phone number.
2. The Content Assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Jasper)
This is where you use AI to write the words and find the images, but you (or a pro) put it into a proper website platform like WordPress.The Good: You can feed it your actual business details. "I’m a plumber in Morningside, I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and I specialise in hot water systems." The AI can then turn that into readable text. The Bad: AI is a notorious liar. It might claim you offer services you don’t or use technical terms that don't apply to QLD building codes. The Verdict: This is a powerful tool if you have a human (you) checking every single word. It saves time, but it doesn't replace the need for a solid strategy.
3. The Professional Hybrid (How we do it at Local Marketing Group)
This is where an expert uses AI to handle the grunt work (like basic coding or resizing images) but handles the strategy, the layout, and the "sales pitch" personally.The Good: You get the speed of AI with the brain of a marketer who knows what makes a Brisbane local click "call now." The Bad: It costs more than a $15/month DIY subscription. The Verdict: If you want your website to be an investment that pays for itself through new customers, this is the only real option.
Why Most AI Websites Fail to Get Phone Calls
I’ve audited hundreds of websites. Most AI-generated sites fail for one simple reason: They are designed to look pretty, not to sell.
An AI doesn't know that people in South East Queensland are currently worried about rising electricity costs or storm season. It doesn't know that your main competitor down the road is offering a 10% discount for seniors.
To get results, you need small website tweaks that guide a visitor's eye directly to your contact form or phone number. AI tends to bury these things under "cool" animations that just get in the way.
Comparing the Big Players: Which One Should You Use?
If you are determined to go the DIY AI route, here is how the popular options stack up for a small business owner.
Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence)
How it works: You tell it your business name and industry. It scours the web for your info and builds a site. Cost: Around $30–$45 AUD per month for a decent business plan. Pros: Very easy to use. No technical skills required. Cons: It’s hard to move away from Wix later if you outgrow it. It can also feel a bit "cookie-cutter."Hostinger AI Builder
How it works: Similar to Wix, but even more streamlined. It generates the layout and the images based on a single prompt. Cost: Very cheap, often under $10 AUD per month to start. Pros: Cheapest way to get online quickly. Cons: The AI-generated images often look "fake" or American. Nothing kills trust faster for a local Brisbane business than a photo of a house that clearly belongs in Ohio.Framer AI
How it works: You type in a description of the site you want, and it builds it layout by layout. Cost: $20–$40 AUD per month. Pros: Produces very modern, high-end looking designs.- Cons: It’s a bit more technical. If you aren't tech-savvy, you'll find it frustrating. It’s also overkill for a local tradie or shop.
The "Hidden" Costs of Cheap AI Builders
When a builder tells you a quote is "too good to be true," you usually know there's a catch. Websites are no different. While the monthly fee might be low, the actual cost to your business can be huge.
1. The Cost of Lost Leads: If an AI site doesn't load properly on an iPhone or makes it hard to find your address, customers will just go back to Google and click the next guy. If you lose just one $500 job a month because your site is clunky, that "cheap" AI site just cost you $6,000 a year. 2. The SEO Problem: Google likes websites that are helpful and unique. AI often generates "thin" content that Google ignores. If you don't show up when someone searches for your service in Brisbane, the site is invisible. 3. The "Same-Same" Factor: If every mechanic in the Redlands uses the same AI builder, all your websites start to look identical. Why should a customer pick you if you look exactly like the guy who charges less?
What Should You Do First?
Before you go out and sign up for an AI builder, do these three things:
1. Write down your goal: Do you want people to call you? Fill out a form? Buy a product? If the AI builder doesn't make that goal the #1 priority on the page, don't use it. 2. Get your own photos: Even if you use an AI builder, use real photos of your team, your van, or your shop. Real photos build trust; AI photos look like a scam. 3. Check the mobile version: Most people in Brisbane will find you while they are on their phones. If the AI site looks great on a computer but messy on a phone, it’s a waste of money.
Look, I get it. You’re busy. You’ve probably heard that you "must" have an AI strategy. But don't let the technology distract you from the basics of business. Your website is your 24/7 salesperson. Would you hire a salesperson who just repeats generic phrases and doesn't know how to ask for the sale?
Most of what you read online about AI web design is rubbish written by people who have never had to make a payroll. At the end of the day, a website is just a tool to get you more work. If it's not doing that, it doesn't matter how "smart" or "fast" the AI was.
Need a Website That Actually Works?
At Local Marketing Group, we don't just click a button and hope for the best. We use the latest tools to build sites that are fast, professional, and—most importantly—designed to get your phone ringing. We’ve helped businesses all over Brisbane turn their websites into their best lead-generation tools.
Stop guessing with AI and start getting results. Contact us today to see how we can build a site that actually grows your business.