Build Your First AI Website
From zero knowledge to publishing your first AI-powered website.
A complete, step-by-step learning path for non-technical founders and creators. You'll go from knowing nothing about AI website builders to publishing a real, functional site on the internet. Each stage includes specific tools, practice tasks, and milestones.
6 Stages
Objective
Know what tools exist and when to use which
Key Concepts
- What AI website builders do
- Visual vs code-based builders
- Full-stack vs frontend-only
- Exportable code vs locked-in
Tools You'll Use
Tasks
- Sign up for free trials of 3 different AI builders
- Build the same simple landing page with each tool
- Compare: which was easiest? which produced the best code?
- Write a 1-page comparison of your top 2 choices
Milestone
You can explain the difference between Lovable, Framer, and Bolt.new to a friend
Objective
Write prompts that produce exactly what you want
Key Concepts
- Role prompting
- Structured descriptions
- Constraint-based prompts
- Iterative refinement
- Negative prompts
Tools You'll Use
Tasks
- Write prompts describing your ideal website in 5 different styles
- Experiment with: colors, layout, content, navigation in prompts
- Learn to describe components specifically (e.g., 'hero section with headline, subtitle, and two buttons')
- Build 3 different versions of the same page using prompt variations
Milestone
Your prompts produce consistent results within 2 iterations instead of 10
Objective
Understand basic design so your AI-generated site looks professional
Key Concepts
- Layout principles
- Color theory basics
- Typography pairing
- Spacing and rhythm
- Mobile-first design
Tools You'll Use
Tasks
- Analyze 3 websites you admire — what makes them look good?
- Create a color palette for your site (3-5 colors)
- Choose a font pairing (display + body)
- Define 5 layout zones for your homepage
- Rebuild your AI site with intentional design choices
Milestone
You can spot 3 specific design improvements on any website you visit
Objective
Connect your AI site to real data with Supabase
Key Concepts
- Why you need a database
- PostgreSQL basics
- Tables and rows
- User authentication
- Row Level Security
Tools You'll Use
Tasks
- Set up a free Supabase account and project
- Create your first table (e.g., 'posts' or 'items')
- Add 5 sample rows of data
- Connect your AI site to display data from Supabase
- Enable user authentication (sign up/login)
Milestone
Your website now displays data from a real database, not hardcoded content
Objective
Get your site ready for the public
Key Concepts
- Domain names
- HTTPS/SSL
- Site speed
- Basic SEO
- Privacy policy requirements
Tools You'll Use
Tasks
- Purchase a domain name (aim for .com, .co, or .app)
- Connect your domain to your hosting
- Run a Lighthouse test and fix any critical issues
- Create a Privacy Policy and Terms page
- Test your site on mobile phones and different browsers
Milestone
Your site loads in under 3 seconds on mobile, has HTTPS, and passes basic accessibility checks
Objective
Launch your site and improve it based on real visitor data
Key Concepts
- Analytics
- User feedback
- Continuous improvement
- Iteration cycles
Tools You'll Use
Tasks
- Add analytics to your site
- Announce your launch on social media and relevant communities
- Track: where do visitors come from? What do they click?
- Pick the top 2 user pain points and fix them
- Plan what to add in month 2
Milestone
You have at least 100 unique visitors in your first month and can name the #1 thing they care about