Can a Robot Actually Build You a Profitable Website?
I get asked about this at least twice a week. A business owner in Chermside or a tradie out in Ipswich sees a flashy ad promising that "AI can build your entire website in 30 seconds for the price of a pub lunch."
It sounds like a dream, doesn't it? No more back-and-forth with designers, no more waiting weeks for a draft, and a tiny price tag.
But here is the reality check I give my mates: A website that exists is not the same as a website that sells.
I’ve seen dozens of Brisbane businesses try these AI builders lately. Some are great for getting a basic page online quickly. Others are a complete waste of your time and money because they produce a generic site that Google ignores and customers don't trust.
If you want a site that actually rings your phone and puts money in the bank, you need to know which of these tools are worth your Saturday afternoon and which ones you should stay away from.
The Quick Verdict: Who are these for?
Before we dive into the names, let’s be blunt.
Use an AI Builder if: You are just starting out, have a tiny budget (under $500), and just need a "digital business card" so people can find your phone number. Avoid AI Builders if: You are an established business, you want to rank high on Google in a competitive Brisbane suburb, or you need your website to do heavy lifting—like taking complex bookings or selling hundreds of products.
1. Wix ADI: The "Safest" Middle Ground
Wix has been around forever, and their AI tool (called ADI) is probably the most polished. You answer about eight questions—what’s your business name, where are you located, what’s your vibe—and it spits out a site.
The Good: It’s very easy. If you own a cafe in Paddington, it will pull in nice photos of coffee and food automatically. It handles the basics of making sure your website works on phones without you touching a single line of code.
The Bad: It can feel a bit "cookie-cutter." Also, Wix gets expensive quickly once you start adding the features you actually need to run a business.
Cost: Roughly $20–$45 per month. Time to see results: You can have it live in two hours. Getting it to show up on Google? Give it 3–6 months of consistent work.
2. Durable: The 30-Second Speed Demon
Durable is the one you’ve likely seen on TikTok. It literally builds a site in under a minute. It writes the text, picks the photos, and sets up a contact form.
The Good: It’s incredibly fast. If you’re a solo sparky or a lawn mower and you just need something live today, this is it. It even includes a basic tool to manage your leads.
The Bad: The writing is often very "robotic." It uses generic American-style phrasing that can turn off a local Brisbane customer. If your text doesn't sound like a real person, people won't call. To fix this, you should make your website feel alive by swapping out their AI text for your own stories and local knowledge.
Cost: About $12 USD per month. Time to see results: Live in minutes. Great for a quick win if you have zero online presence right now.
3. Hostinger AI: The Budget Choice
Hostinger is a massive web hosting company that added an AI builder to their service. It’s very cheap and surprisingly capable.
The Good: It’s one of the cheapest ways to get a professional-looking site. The AI "heatmap" tool is actually quite clever—it shows you where people are likely to look on your page so you can put your phone number in the right spot.
The Bad: The editor is a bit clunky compared to Wix. If you aren't great with computers, you might find yourself getting frustrated trying to move a button two inches to the left.
Cost: Often as low as $5–$10 per month if you pay upfront. Time to see results: A few hours to build.
Why Most AI Websites Fail to Make Money
Here is the bit the ads won't tell you. The AI can build a pretty page, but it doesn't know your business. It doesn't know that customers in North Lakes care about different things than customers in Ascot.
To actually get more enquiries, you need to add the "human" elements that AI usually misses:
1. Real Proof
AI will give you a section for reviews, but it will use fake names like "John D." Real customers see right through that. You need to show reviews that sell by using real names, real photos of your work, and specific local suburbs. That is what builds trust.2. Local Authority
Google loves local businesses. An AI builder will write generic text about "Quality Plumbing Services." A business owner who wants to win will change that to "Emergency Plumbing in Coorparoo: We’ll be at your door in 40 minutes." The AI can't give you that local edge.3. Speed and Reliability
Some AI builders create "heavy" sites that take ages to load on a mobile phone with a spotty connection. If a customer is standing in their kitchen with a leaking pipe, they won't wait 10 seconds for your flashy AI animation to load. They’ll click the next guy.What Should You Do First?
If you are staring at a blank screen and feeling overwhelmed, here is my recommended game plan:
1. Don't overthink the tech. Pick one tool (Wix is usually the safest bet for most) and get a basic page live with your phone number and services. 2. Replace the AI photos. Take 5 minutes to snap a photo of your team, your van, or your shopfront on your iPhone. Real photos beat stock photos every single time. 3. Check it on your phone. Open your new site on your own mobile. Is the "Call Now" button easy to hit with your thumb? If not, move it. 4. Watch the clock. If you spend more than 5 hours fiddling with an AI builder and you still don't have a site you're proud of, stop. Your time is worth more than the money you're "saving" by doing it yourself. At that point, it’s costing you more in lost jobs than it would to hire a pro.
The Reality of "Free" and "Cheap"
I’ve seen many Brisbane business owners spend twenty hours trying to save $1,000 on a website, only to end up with a site that gets zero phone calls.
If your business makes $100 an hour, you just spent $2,000 of your time to build a $0 website. That’s bad business.
AI is a fantastic tool to get started, but it isn't a silver bullet. It’s a shortcut to a starting line, not the finish line. If you want a website that dominates your local area and keeps your calendar full, you eventually have to move past the "automated" look and build something that actually speaks to your customers.
Ready to stop messing around with robots and start getting real customers?
At Local Marketing Group, we don't just build websites that look nice—we build tools that grow your business. If you're tired of tech headaches and want a site that actually works for a change, let's have a chat.
Contact Local Marketing Group today and let’s get your phone ringing.