Right, so AI can build websites now. That's a thing. But here's the question: can it build a website that actually works? One that's accessible, loads fast, shows up in Google, and—here's the important bit—converts visitors into customers?
In my experience working with Swindon businesses, the answer is: sort of. AI can generate code, suggest designs, and even write content. But creating a website that actually serves your business? That still needs a human who knows what they're doing. Let me explain how to use AI properly, when you actually need a database (spoiler: you probably don't), and what modern technologies make sense for your business.
How AI-Assisted Development Actually Works
Building a website with AI assistance is a bit like having a really fast apprentice who never sleeps but sometimes makes questionable decisions. You use AI for the repetitive bits—code generation, initial design ideas, content suggestions—and then a developer (that's me) steps in to make sure everything actually works properly.
This hybrid approach means Swindon businesses can get professional websites faster and more cost-effectively, but without sacrificing quality. AI handles the boring stuff, I handle the important bits like making sure your site is accessible, fast, and actually converts visitors into customers. If you're curious about how this could work for your business, drop me a line and we can chat about it.
Do You Actually Need a Database? (Probably Not)
This is a question I get asked a lot. The short answer? Most Swindon businesses don't need a database at all. But let me explain why, because it'll save you money and headaches.
When You DON'T Need a Database
Static websites (sites without databases) are perfect for most businesses. I'm talking about:
- Brochure websites: Simple sites that tell people what you do, show your work, and let them contact you
- Small business websites: Local businesses like plumbers, electricians, consultants, sole traders—basically most Swindon businesses
- Portfolio sites: Creative professionals showing off their work
- Landing pages: Single-page sites focused on getting people to do one thing
- Service-based businesses: If you don't need user accounts or constantly changing content, you probably don't need a database
Why Static Websites Are Brilliant
Static websites have some serious advantages:
- They're fast: No database queries means pages load instantly. Your visitors will thank you.
- They're more secure: No database means fewer ways for hackers to break in. It's like having a house with fewer windows—fewer entry points.
- They're cheaper: Static hosting costs less than database-driven hosting. Every penny counts when you're running a small business.
- They're easier to maintain: Less complexity means fewer things that can go wrong. Trust me, you'll appreciate this.
- They perform better: Can be served from CDNs (Content Delivery Networks) so they're fast no matter where your visitors are
- Google loves them: Fast loading times improve your search rankings. It's that simple.
For most Swindon businesses, a static website is the right choice. It's faster, cheaper, more secure, and easier to maintain. If you're not sure whether you need a database or not, let's have a chat about your specific needs.
When You DO Actually Need a Database
You'll need a database if your website requires:
- User accounts: Customer logins, member areas, user profiles—if people need to log in, you need a database
- Dynamic content: Blog posts, news articles, or content that changes frequently and needs to be managed through a CMS
- E-commerce: If you're selling products online, you need a database for product catalogues, shopping carts, and order management
- User-generated content: Comments, reviews, forums, or any content that visitors create
- Complex systems: Booking systems, appointment scheduling, inventory management—anything that needs to track and manage data
But here's the thing: most Swindon businesses don't need any of this. A simple static website that tells people what you do and lets them contact you is often all you need. Don't overcomplicate things.
Modern Technologies That Actually Matter
Static Site Generators (The Good Ones)
For websites without databases, static site generators are brilliant. They let you build fast, SEO-friendly websites while still giving you flexibility. The ones worth knowing about:
- Jekyll: Good for blogs and documentation sites
- Hugo: Ridiculously fast, perfect if you've got loads of content
- Next.js (Static Export): React-based, great for modern web apps
- Astro: Newer framework that's optimised for performance
These tools generate fast, SEO-friendly static websites but still let you add dynamic features through APIs and JavaScript when you need them. Best of both worlds, really.
Headless CMS (If You Need Content Management)
If you need to manage content but still want a fast static website, headless CMS is your friend. It's like having a content management system without the database baggage:
- Contentful: API-based, easy to use
- Strapi: Self-hosted, gives you more control
- Sanity: Real-time editing, good for teams
- Netlify CMS: Git-based, works seamlessly with static sites
These let you manage content easily while still generating fast static websites. You get the convenience of a CMS without the performance hit.
Modern Web Tech That's Actually Useful
Here's what I actually use when building websites for Swindon businesses:
- HTML5 & CSS3: Modern semantic HTML and CSS features that make sites accessible and maintainable
- JavaScript (ES6+): Modern JavaScript for interactivity without the bloat
- Progressive Web Apps (PWA): Websites that work like apps—useful if you want that app-like experience
- Web Components: Reusable components that make development faster
- CSS Grid & Flexbox: Modern layout techniques that actually work (unlike the old table-based layouts, which were a nightmare)
The key is using the right technology for your specific needs. Not every business needs the latest framework—sometimes simple is better. If you're not sure what's right for your business, let's discuss your requirements and I can recommend the best approach.
Making Sure Your Website Is Actually Accessible
Accessibility isn't optional—it's essential. Not just because it's the right thing to do (which it is), but because it means more people can actually use your website. That's more potential customers. Plus, there are legal requirements to consider.
AI can generate accessible code, but it's not perfect. An experienced developer (that's me) needs to review and test everything to make sure your website actually meets accessibility standards. Here's what I check:
Key Accessibility Stuff
- Semantic HTML: Using the right HTML elements so screen readers can actually understand your content
- ARIA labels: Extra information for screen readers on interactive elements
- Keyboard navigation: Everything should work with just a keyboard (not everyone can use a mouse)
- Colour contrast: Text needs to be readable for people with visual impairments
- Alt text: Descriptive text for images so screen readers can tell people what's in them
- Focus indicators: Clear visual indicators for keyboard users so they know where they are on the page
- Responsive design: Works on all devices and screen sizes (because people use all sorts of devices)
AI can help with some of this, but human review and testing is essential. I test websites with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and various devices to make sure they're actually accessible. If you want a website that works for everyone, get in touch and we can discuss how to make your site properly accessible.
SEO: Getting Found in Google
Right, so you've built a website. Great. But if nobody can find it, what's the point? SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is how you make sure your Swindon business website actually shows up when people search for what you do.
An experienced developer ensures your website is properly optimised for search engines. Here's what that actually means:
Technical SEO (The Boring But Important Bits)
- Fast loading times: Optimised code and assets so your site loads quickly (Google penalises slow sites)
- Mobile-friendly: Responsive design that works on all devices (most searches happen on mobile now)
- Clean URL structure: SEO-friendly URLs that make sense (not random strings of numbers and letters)
- Structured data: Schema markup so Google can understand your content and show rich results
- XML sitemaps: Help search engines find and index all your pages
- Robots.txt: Tell search engines what to crawl and what to ignore
On-Page SEO (The Content Bits)
- Optimised titles and meta descriptions: Compelling, keyword-rich descriptions that make people want to click
- Heading structure: Proper H1, H2, H3 hierarchy so Google understands your content structure
- Local SEO: Location-specific content for Swindon businesses (mentioning Swindon, local areas, local landmarks)
- Internal linking: Strategic links between pages so Google can crawl your site properly
- Image optimisation: Compressed images with descriptive alt text (good for accessibility too)
For Swindon businesses, local SEO is crucial. You want to show up when people search for "web developer Swindon" or "plumber near me" or whatever your business does. I make sure your website is optimised for local searches so you actually get found by people in your area. If you want to improve your search rankings, let's chat about your SEO needs.
Making Your Website Actually Fast
Fast-loading websites are better. They provide better user experience, rank higher in Google, and convert more visitors into customers. It's not rocket science—people don't wait around for slow websites.
Here's how I make websites fast:
Code Optimisation
- Minification: Removing unnecessary code and whitespace (smaller files = faster loading)
- Code splitting: Loading only the code needed for each page (don't load everything if you don't need it)
- Tree shaking: Removing unused code (if you're not using it, why load it?)
- Lazy loading: Loading images and content as needed (don't load everything at once)
Asset Optimisation
- Image compression: Optimised images in modern formats like WebP and AVIF (smaller file sizes, same quality)
- Font optimisation: Subsetting fonts and using font-display (only load the fonts you actually use)
- CSS/JS bundling: Combining and minifying stylesheets and scripts (fewer requests = faster loading)
Hosting and Delivery
- CDN (Content Delivery Network): Serving content from locations close to users (faster for everyone)
- Caching: Browser and server-side caching (serve cached content when possible)
- HTTP/2 or HTTP/3: Modern protocols that load things faster
All of this technical stuff matters, but the key is having someone who knows what they're doing implement it properly. I optimise websites for speed as part of my development process, so your site loads fast from day one. If speed is important to you (and it should be), let's discuss how I can help optimise your website.
Why You Still Need a Developer (Even With AI)
AI can generate code and content, but it's not perfect. Here's what an experienced developer (like me) actually does:
1. Quality Assurance (Catching the Mistakes)
AI makes mistakes. It generates inefficient code, misses security issues, and doesn't always follow best practices. I review everything, test it properly, and fix the problems before they become issues. It's like having a proofreader for your code.
2. Customisation (Making It Actually Yours)
AI provides a starting point, but your website needs to reflect your business, your brand, and your Swindon market. I tailor everything to your specific needs, add local references, and make sure it actually sounds like your business, not a generic template.
3. Integration (Connecting Everything)
Your website probably needs to connect with other things—payment processors, booking systems, email services, whatever your business uses. AI can't do this properly. I can. I integrate your website with the tools you actually need.
4. Ongoing Support (When Things Go Wrong)
Things will go wrong eventually. Updates break things, new features need adding, your business needs change. I provide maintenance, updates, and support as your business grows. You've got someone to call when you need help.
5. Strategic Guidance (Making the Right Decisions)
I help you make informed decisions about features, technologies, and approaches that actually serve your business goals. Not every business needs every feature, and I help you figure out what's right for you.
If you want someone who can guide you through these decisions and make sure your website actually works for your business, get in touch and we can discuss your project.
A Real Example: How This Actually Works
Recently, I worked with a Swindon-based consultant to build their business website using AI assistance. Here's how it actually went:
- Planning: We sat down (virtually, but you get the idea) and discussed their business goals, who they're trying to reach, and what features they actually need
- AI-Assisted Design: Used AI tools to generate initial design concepts and layouts (saved time, gave us starting points)
- Development: AI helped generate the code structure, which I then refined, optimised, and made actually work properly
- Content Creation: AI suggested content, which we then personalised with local Swindon references and the consultant's actual voice (not robot speak)
- Optimisation: I made sure the site was fast, accessible, and SEO-optimised (the important bits AI can't do properly)
- Testing: Comprehensive testing across devices and browsers (because things break, and you need to catch it before launch)
- Launch: Deployed to fast, reliable hosting (because a slow website defeats the purpose)
The result? A professional, fast-loading website that actually represents the business properly, shows up in search results, and converts visitors into clients. All delivered faster and more cost-effectively than traditional development, but without sacrificing quality.
Best Practices (So You Don't Mess It Up)
1. Start With Clear Goals
Know what you want your website to achieve before you start using AI tools. Clear objectives guide both AI and developer decisions. If you're not sure what you need, let's have a chat about your business goals.
2. Use AI for Efficiency, Not Replacement
AI speeds things up, but it doesn't replace human expertise. You still need someone who knows what they're doing for strategy, customisation, and quality assurance. Use AI to save time, not to avoid hiring a developer.
3. Prioritise User Experience
Your website should serve your visitors' needs. Fast loading, easy navigation, and clear information are more important than flashy features. Nobody cares about animations if they can't find what they're looking for.
4. Focus on Local SEO
For Swindon businesses, local SEO is crucial. Include location-specific content, local keywords, and make sure your Google Business Profile is set up properly. I help Swindon businesses get found in local searches—if that's what you need, get in touch.
5. Plan for Growth
Build your website with the future in mind. Choose technologies and structures that can scale as your business grows. Starting with the right foundation saves you headaches later.
Getting It Right
AI has made website development faster and more accessible, but creating a website that actually works for your business still needs human expertise. By combining AI efficiency with proper development, Swindon businesses can get professional, optimised websites that serve their goals and connect with customers.
Whether you need a simple static website or something more complex, the key is choosing the right technology and making sure everything is properly optimised, accessible, and SEO-friendly. That's where I come in—I help you navigate these decisions and make sure your website actually performs.
If you're a Swindon business looking to build or improve your website using AI-assisted development, let's have a conversation about how we can work together to create a website that's fast, accessible, SEO-optimised, and perfectly suited to your business needs.