I’m going to tell you something that might sound unbelievable: I’ve built over 15 websites, and I don’t know how to code.
Not a single line of HTML, CSS, or JavaScript came from my own brain. Every website I run — including the one you’re reading right now — was built entirely with AI tools.
If you’re a mom thinking “I’d love to have my own website, but I’m not technical,” this guide is for you. I’ll show you exactly how I did it, step by step.
My Story: From Zero Tech Skills to 15+ Websites
Two years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom with no tech background. I wanted to start an online business but thought building a website required expensive developers or years of learning to code.
Then I discovered AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude. I started by asking simple questions like “Can you create a basic website for me?” and was amazed when it actually generated working code.
Fast forward to today — I run multiple websites across different niches, all built and maintained using AI. Zero coding classes. Zero developer fees.
What You Need to Get Started
Here’s the beautiful part — almost everything is free:
| Tool | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Claude or ChatGPT | Generate code & troubleshoot | Free tier available |
| GitHub | Store your website code | Free |
| Cloudflare Pages or Vercel | Host your website | Free |
| Namecheap or Cloudflare | Domain name | ~$10-15/year |
| VS Code | Edit code files | Free |
| Canva | Design graphics & logos | Free tier |
Total startup cost: $10-15/year (just the domain name).
Step-by-Step: Building Your First Website
Step 1: Choose Your Website Platform
You don’t need to know the difference between these — just tell AI which one you want to use:
| Platform | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Astro | Blogs & content sites | Easy with AI |
| Next.js | Dynamic web apps | Medium with AI |
| Vite + React | Interactive sites with admin panels | Medium with AI |
| Plain HTML/CSS | Simple landing pages | Easiest with AI |
My recommendation for beginners: Start with Astro for a blog or plain HTML for a landing page. That’s what I did.
Step 2: Describe What You Want to AI
This is where the magic happens. Open Claude or ChatGPT and describe your website in plain English. Be specific:
Bad prompt:
“Make me a website.”
Good prompt:
“Create a personal blog website using Astro. I want a homepage that lists my blog posts with cover images, an about page, and a contact page. Use a pink and white color scheme. The site should be mobile-friendly.”
The more detail you give, the better the result. Include:
- What pages you want
- Color preferences
- What features you need (blog, shop, contact form)
- Any websites you like as inspiration
Step 3: Set Up Your Project
AI will generate code files for you. Here’s what I do:
- Ask AI to create the project structure — it will tell you what files to create and where to put them
- Copy the code into VS Code — just paste what AI gives you
- Ask AI how to run it locally — it will give you the exact terminal commands
- See your website in the browser — usually at
localhost:3000orlocalhost:4321
Don’t worry if you don’t understand the code. You don’t need to. AI is your translator between “what you want” and “what the computer needs.”
Step 4: Customize and Add Content
Once your basic site is running, start customizing:
- “Change the header color to coral pink” — AI will tell you exactly which file and line to change
- “Add a new blog post about X” — AI will create the markdown file for you
- “Make the font bigger on mobile” — AI handles responsive design
I literally have conversations with AI like I’m talking to a web developer. The difference? This developer works 24/7, never judges you for asking “dumb” questions, and is free.
Step 5: Deploy for Free
Getting your website live on the internet is surprisingly easy:
- Push your code to GitHub — AI will walk you through this
- Connect to Cloudflare Pages or Vercel — click a few buttons
- Add your domain name — follow the setup wizard
- Done! Your website is live
I use Cloudflare Pages for most of my sites because it’s fast and completely free.
Free Website Builders You Can Use With AI
If the code approach feels too intimidating to start, here are some no-code platforms where AI can still help you:
| Platform | Free Plan | AI Help |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.com | Basic site free | AI writes content, helps with themes |
| Carrd | 1 free site | AI designs layout concepts |
| Google Sites | Unlimited free | AI creates content structure |
| Notion + Super | Free Notion | AI organizes everything |
| GitHub Pages | Unlimited | AI generates all the code |
Pro tip: Even with no-code platforms, AI can help you write better content, plan your site structure, and create graphics with Canva.
Real Tips From Building 15+ Websites
Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
Start Simple
My first website was a single-page landing page. Don’t try to build Amazon on day one. Start with 3-5 pages and grow from there.
Save Your AI Conversations
When AI gives you code that works, save that conversation. You’ll want to reference it later when building similar features on other sites.
Learn to Describe Problems
The #1 skill you need isn’t coding — it’s describing what’s wrong. Instead of saying “my site is broken,” say “when I click the menu button on mobile, nothing happens.” Better descriptions = better AI solutions.
Use Screenshots
Most AI tools can read screenshots now. When something looks wrong, take a screenshot and ask “why does this look different from what I expected?”
One Change at a Time
Don’t ask AI to change 10 things at once. Make one change, test it, then move on. This way, if something breaks, you know exactly what caused it.
How I Maintain My Websites
Managing 15+ websites sounds overwhelming, but AI makes it manageable:
- Content updates: I describe what I want to write, AI drafts it, I review and publish
- Bug fixes: I screenshot the problem, show AI, and follow the fix
- New features: I describe what I want added, AI generates the code
- SEO optimization: AI helps with meta descriptions, keywords, and structure. Our free SEO Meta Description Writer makes this even faster.
Most of my sites need less than 1 hour of maintenance per week. The ones that need more attention are the ones actively growing — which is a good problem to have.
Common Fears (And Why They’re Wrong)
“What if AI generates bad code?” It happens! But AI can also fix it. Just paste the error message and ask for a solution. I’ve never encountered a problem that AI couldn’t eventually solve.
“What if my site gets hacked?” Static sites (like those built with Astro) are extremely secure because there’s no database to attack. Plus, Cloudflare provides free SSL and DDoS protection.
“What if I need to update something and AI gives different code?” This is real. I solve it by keeping my AI conversations organized and always describing the full context of my project before asking for changes.
“Is this cheating?” No! Is using a calculator cheating at math? AI is a tool. The creativity, strategy, and content still come from you. AI just handles the technical translation.
Your Action Plan
Here’s what I want you to do this week:
- Day 1: Sign up for Claude (free) and VS Code (free)
- Day 2: Ask Claude to create a simple one-page website about something you love
- Day 3: Follow Claude’s instructions to run it locally
- Day 4: Make 3 customizations (colors, text, layout)
- Day 5: Create a GitHub account and push your site
- Day 6: Deploy to Cloudflare Pages or Vercel
- Day 7: Share your live website link with a friend!
One week. Zero coding knowledge. One live website.
If I can do this as a mom of two with absolutely no tech background, you can too. The tools are free, the AI is patient, and the only thing standing between you and your own website is getting started.
Have questions about building your first site? Drop me a message — I love helping moms get started with this stuff!
