Will AI Replace Web Designers? A Marketer’s Honest Take
With the launch of OpenAI’s new GPT-5, everyone seems a little more nervous. Not just about their jobs, but about what the world could look like in five years. Ten years. Maybe even two. We’re talking about an entirely different reality that suddenly feels a lot closer than expected.
But I’m not here to unpack the existential impact of artificial intelligence on human existence. That’s above my pay grade (for now). Instead, I want to zoom in on something I do know well—web design. More specifically: will AI replace web designers?
Let’s talk about it.
Published Friday, August 8, 2025
AI Can Build Websites. But Is That Enough?
But here’s the real question: is that enough?
Aside from the fact that there is no strategy behind an AI-built website, the designs themselves usually stink. If you don't believe me, I encourage you to go give it a try yourself. I don't doubt that the day is coming where AI can build a nicely designed site, and with the rate these tools are developing, I wouldn't be surprised if that new innovation is released tomorrow. However, there is still something that about the job of a website designer, AI won't be able to replace for a very long time.
Websites Are More Than Design
This is where most people get it wrong. They assume websites are just about design. It's pretty deceiving, right? We're talking about 'website DESIGN' and I'm here telling you the design component isn't the most important element. Yes, I do believe that the design of a website matters. However, imagine a well-designed website with no CTA. Imagine a well-designed website that isn't functional or has broken links. Business owners might assume the hard part of developing a website is choosing a font or picking out images. That comes from understanding the people behind the business, the customers they’re trying to reach, and the story that connects the two.
That’s not something AI can do well. Not yet.
It’s easy to assume that automation will always beat the human touch. But marketing, branding, and design are all about emotion, nuance, and connection. You can’t prompt your way into a meaningful experience. You have to know what matters and why it matters.
What (Good) Website Designers Actually Do
Let’s take a step back and ask: what do website designers actually do?
If you ask ten different designers, you’ll probably get ten different answers. Some will say they’re problem-solvers. Others might describe themselves as artists, storytellers, developers, or strategists. And the truth is, they’re all right.
Some designers focus on technical builds. Some obsess over UX. Others are more marketing-driven and are constantly testing what drives conversions. A few still just love color palettes and spacing. But the best ones—the ones that consistently create websites that perform—don’t just build pretty pages. They build systems. Systems that reflect a brand, support a strategy, and drive growth.
That’s the part AI can’t replicate.
AI is only as good as the problems we've already solved. AI is pulling data and implementing it into its models but still relies on humans to problem-solve and obsess over innovation. Let's picture a scenario.
You're a small business owner. It’s a Friday morning and your website is down—completely unresponsive. You’ve got a flash sale running, customers trying to order, and you’re staring at your screen talking to your AI assistant. The AI gives you some vague error code and suggests checking a server setting you’ve never even heard of. You ask it to fix the issue, but now it’s started resetting your entire layout, deleting product images in the process, and making things worse by the second.
You're stuck. No real support. No strategy. Just a robotic tool trying its best to solve a problem it doesn’t fully understand. And now, instead of generating revenue, you're losing it—fast.
That’s one example of a risk of treating AI like a replacement instead of a resource.
Without Strategy, It Won't Work
Without a strategy, a website won’t do what it’s supposed to do. It won’t show up in search results. It won’t convert visitors into customers. It won’t give your audience a reason to come back. And it definitely won’t feel like your brand.
You know what happens then? The business owner goes, "Well, I guess websites just don’t work for us." And that couldn’t be further from the truth. A website without strategy is like a billboard in the desert. Technically, it's there. But nobody's seeing it, and it's not moving the needle.
How We Use AI at GroClix
I’m not anti-AI. At GroClix, we actually use AI tools all the time. We use them to write drafts, brainstorm ideas, and speed up time-consuming tasks. But we don’t rely on AI to make the big decisions. Those come from understanding the client, the industry, the audience, and the long-term goal.
AI is a tool. It’s not a replacement for experience, insight, or strategy.
So no, I don’t think AI will replace website designers. At least not the good ones. Will it make some people feel like they don’t need one? Sure. And some of those people will find out the hard way that a DIY site with no direction doesn’t deliver results.
So Should You Let AI Design Your Website?
You can build a website with AI. But without a marketing strategy, without a real understanding of your business goals, without the human insight that ties everything together, you’re better off just writing your business name on a napkin and pinning it to a telephone pole.
If you want a website that actually does something—not just look nice for five seconds before getting ignored by Google and forgotten by users—you need more than just a builder. You need a partner.
We design websites that are built on strategy, optimized for growth, and tailored to what actually matters for your business. Because websites should work with your business, not just exist next to it.
If you're looking to do more than just check a box,
let’s talk.
