The New Reality
In 2026, anyone can have a website in 10 minutes. Describe your business to an AI tool, and it generates a complete site with copy, images, navigation, and hosting. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Framer, and Durable all offer this.
The question isn't whether AI can build your website. It's whether the result is good enough.
When AI-Generated Works
Portfolio sites: Freelancers, photographers, designers. A clean site that shows your work and has a contact form. AI handles this perfectly.
Simple service businesses: If you need a homepage, about page, services page, and contact form, AI-generated is fine. Especially if you're validating a new business idea and don't want to invest heavily in a site.
Landing pages: Single-purpose pages for campaigns, events, or lead magnets. AI generates these in minutes with decent conversion rates.
When You Need Custom
Client-facing portals: Any site where clients log in and interact with your business needs custom functionality.
Complex booking systems: Restaurants, clinics, service businesses with multi-step booking logic.
E-commerce with unique requirements: Custom product configurators, subscription models, or industry-specific checkout flows.
Data-driven dashboards: Sites that pull live data and display it in meaningful ways.
Brand differentiation: If your website IS your competitive advantage (SaaS, agencies, premium services), generic AI output won't cut it.
The Hybrid Approach
Start with AI to generate the structure and copy. Then customise the parts that matter. This gives you speed without sacrificing quality where it counts.
The Cost Spectrum
AI-generated: Free to £20/month. Template with customisation: £500-2,000. Custom build: £5,000+. Custom web app with AI: £10,000+.
Get the Right Build
OrcaScale builds custom websites and web apps for businesses that need more than a template. From simple sites to complex platforms.