Getting started with WordPress is challenging. You install the app, log in, and… then what? Many first-time users face this conundrum – the next steps aren’t obvious.
The content management system (CMS) becomes easier as you navigate its learning curve. But it’s worth wondering how many people give up before they reach that point.
Technology may have a solution. AI-powered site builders are starting to infiltrate the market. They aim to make it easier for non-developers to build a website by answering a few questions.
Perhaps they sound like yet another attempt at a DIY tool, something else to replace web designers. This makes sense on the surface. However, AI has the potential to break down some longstanding barriers to using WordPress. If so, they could be useful to professionals and novices alike.
With that in mind, let’s explore the potential of combining AI with WordPress. We’ll look into the future and make a few guesses as to what’s to come.
WordPress Lacks a Great Onboarding Experience
Before we dig into AI’s potential to help WordPress users, we should define the problem that needs to be solved. Logging into WordPress for the first time is like being dropped into the wilderness.
There’s a welcome message at the top of the dashboard and a hefty menu on the sidebar. Both will lead a curious user to explore. However, some may be overwhelmed by the number of options.
Plus, they’ll need to know at least something about these aspects of WordPress:
- Where to find and install themes and plugins.
- How to edit their theme via the Site Editor (block themes) or Customizer (classic themes).
- How to use the Block Editor to create pages and posts.
- Any site settings they need to change.
- Best practices for security and performance.
Learning WordPress requires commitment. The default onboarding doesn’t put people on that path.
It’s also a burden on web professionals. Setting up a new site means a lot of repetitive tasks, and we’re also responsible for training clients to use the software. All told, we spend significant time doing things other than site building.
Better onboarding could make all the difference.
How AI Could Improve the User Experience
In broad terms, an AI site builder is an onboarding tool. Its mission is to learn about your website needs and produce something relevant. So far, the results of these tools have been mixed.
Good or bad, the result isn’t a finished product. It’s a foundation to build upon. We can take what’s there and go further, whether via “chatting” with a bot or doing it ourselves. But the story doesn’t have to end there.
The potential lies in catering to various niches. The current generation of builders tends to focus on non-developers, people who want to build a quick and cheap website. They’re a one-size-fits-all proposition.
However, there’s room to make these tools more specialized. For instance, a site builder aimed at professionals may focus on things developers want. That could include pre-configured website blueprints that install a theme, plugins, and other custom tweaks.
Consider the time we spend getting ready to build a website. The right tool could do these tasks for us, saving time and money. A simple text prompt could check several steps off our to-do list.
AI is already splitting into several subgenres. We have models trained for coding, education, and business. Adding tools for freelancers and agencies follows this trend.
Meanwhile, tools for non-developers also have greater potential. They may recommend plugins (or categories of them) based on industry or other user input. Perhaps uploading a logo helps AI create color and typography schemes.
In addition, these tools can go beyond the initial site build. AI might also help users learn to create and manage content. A tool could provide tips and relevant content from the Learn WordPress archives. They could perform routine checks to keep WordPress as secure as possible.
AI site builders aren’t necessarily doing these things today. However, service providers will recognize the opportunity to do more. A little imagination will go a long way.
An Opportunity to Improve WordPress for All
The term “site builder” may make you cringe. We won’t blame you – these tools have a checkered history of spotty quality and dubious value. Besides, web professionals aren’t their target market.
That could change as more AI-powered products come online. For example, WordPress.com recently released a tool that will reportedly become part of the self-hosted (WordPress.org) version. Such an open-source app could be tailored to all sorts of interesting uses.
The idea of a site-building tool could be turned on its head soon. If done right, it could solve one of the most frustrating aspects of learning WordPress, not to mention a productivity boost for web developers.
Let’s hope AI helps us take the next step toward making WordPress easier for everyone.
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here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.
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