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The Best Way to Build a Website in 2025

·3 min read
Illustration of making a website in 2025

Building a website today is less about wrestling with code and more about matching the right tool for the job. Here’s a look at the options.

Why 2025 Is Different

Search habits, mobile expectations, and AI’s leap forward mean speed and relevance now matter more than pixel‑perfect hand‑coding. Most businesses want a site that looks polished, loads fast, and can be updated without headaches. That’s where AI builders step in.

Option 1 — Hiring a Web Agency

  • Pros
    • Bespoke strategy, UX research, custom integrations.
    • Ongoing hands‑on support.
  • Cons
    • High upfront cost plus retainers.
    • Timelines measured in months, not days.
    • Every small update has a price tag.

Best for: large‑scale e‑commerce, complex web apps, or brands that need extensive custom functionality and can budget for it.

Option 2 — Traditional DIY Platforms (Wix, Squarespace, etc.)

  • Pros
    • Drag‑and‑drop ease, built‑in hosting.
    • Dozens of templates, good for portfolios or simple stores.
  • Cons
    • You still handle layout tweaks, SEO settings, and content entry.
    • Add‑ons drive up monthly fees.
    • Sites can look “template‑y” without serious tweaking.

Best for: users who enjoy hands‑on design and don’t mind spending several evenings fine‑tuning pages.

Option 3 — AI Website Builders (Chariot & others)

AI builders cut the busywork by generating a site from a short brief. Chariot keeps it down to three steps:

  1. Share your vision – Describe your business, audience, and must‑have features.
  2. Review & refine – The AI presents a complete design; you ask for tweaks until it’s right.
  3. Publish & launch – Hit publish and your site goes live in minutes.
  • Pros
    • Fast: first draft in under a minute.
    • Content, layout, and basic SEO tags auto‑generated.
    • Zero learning curve—perfect for non‑designers.
  • Cons
    • Not aimed at massive, multi‑layered projects.
    • Deep custom code and niche integrations still require a developer.

Best for: startups, consultants, events, and any simple marketing or landing site that just needs to get online and start converting.

So, Which Route Wins?

  • Need a quick, professional web presence with minimal fuss? Go AI—Chariot or a similar tool will have you live before lunch.
  • Have a hobby site and enjoy tinkering? A classic builder like Wix or Squarespace remains fine.
  • Running a complex platform or demanding brand experience? A seasoned agency is still worth the investment.

Final Word

In 2025 the smartest move is to match scope to solution. For most small businesses and new ventures, an AI builder such as Chariot delivers the fastest, most cost‑effective path to a modern, SEO‑ready website. Save the heavy artillery—agencies or deep DIY platforms—for the day your project truly needs it.