For years before Sitely, I tried every visual editor out there, and honestly? It felt like trying to build something with my hands tied behind my back. Literally. As a designer, I value my freedom to work correctly, to have the tool follow my intent, not the other way around. When AI-generated media and code started blowing up, I was the first to dive in. I loved the idea of having something to start with, which Sitely offers too. AI-generated images and text gave me a foundation to build on. But the second I tried using those “text-to-website” code generators, that old “tied-hands” feeling came rushing back.
The way most AI website builders work today is like trying to cover a king sized bed with twin sized sheets. You pull one corner to cover the design, and the code on the other side snaps out of place. You fix a margin, and the mobile responsiveness unravels. It is a constant game of compromise that kills the narrative. A website shouldn’t just be a functional digital box; it should tell a story. Since we are dealing with visual media, design and creativity need massive breathing room to let that story breathe.
Here is the thing: these AI tools might be decent at churning out logic for software, but they are a nightmare for websites. A creator needs their freedom, their tools, and absolute control. Most AI code is rigid; it’s a black box that fights you the moment you want to get surgical with the design. That is why I love Sitely. It’s the only place where the advancement of AI actually meets the soul of a designer. It gives me the starting point I want without taking away the steering wheel.