More and more people are building their websites with ChatGPT, Claude and other AI assistants. The result is often surprisingly good: clean pages, fitting texts, a design that looks the part. Then the assistant says: “Your website is ready, you can publish it now.” That is where many people stop. Because publishing means hosting, a domain, an SSL certificate, uploading files – and next time, all of it again.
This page explains how to build a website with AI, and how to get it online and keep it online safely afterwards.
Three ways to build a website with AI
A site builder with an AI feature. Wix, Jimdo and others offer to generate a first draft from a few details. That is quick. But afterwards you keep working inside the builder, with its templates and limits, and your website is not easy to take elsewhere.
Copying code from the chat. You have ChatGPT or Claude write HTML and upload it to web space yourself. That is flexible, but there is no preview and no way back. And every change means copying, uploading and hoping again.
Connecting the assistant to the website. The assistant works directly on your website’s files, shows you a preview and only publishes when you agree. That is the MADLAB // Publishing way. It combines the freedom of the assistant with the safety you expect from hosting.
How it works with MADLAB // Publishing
- Create an account. Signing up is free and does not need a credit card.
- Connect your assistant. With what is called a connector (technically: MCP) you connect your assistant to your account once. Instructions: Connecting Claude, Connecting ChatGPT.
- Describe what you want. For example: “I am a physiotherapist in Zurich. Build me a website with a home page, services, team and contact, calm and light.” The assistant creates the pages.
- Look at the preview and refine. You see the website at a preview address, say what should be different and look again.
- Publish. When everything is right, you approve. The website is online – on the free plan straight away at its own address, on a paid plan under your domain.
Images and logos don’t go through the chat. The assistant gives you a secure upload address for them, see Uploading images and files.
Which AI assistant should I use?
Any assistant that supports connectors (MCP). We work with Claude every day ourselves and recommend it for getting started: the connection is quick to set up, works in the browser, in the desktop app and on your phone, and even Claude’s free plan allows one custom connector. More on Build a website with Claude.
ChatGPT works too, but needs a paid plan and developer mode; it is set up in the browser. Details on Build a website with ChatGPT.
If you like working in a code editor, connect an editor with AI, such as Claude Code. The tools are the same.
What matters for an AI-built website
An assistant quickly writes a page that looks good. So that it is also found, loads quickly and is readable for everyone, our tools come with a checklist – for findability, speed and accessibility. The assistant checks the website against it before showing you the preview, and fixes what is missing.
Also: credentials never belong in the chat. An FTP password or the key of a payment provider is stored in the portal. The assistant builds the code so that it reads them from there.
What it costs
Building, previewing and versions are free, and so is taking over an existing website. On the free plan the website runs on freesite.space with a small badge and is not meant for search engines. For a business website with your own domain, “Website – MADLAB hosting” costs CHF 16.90 per month including VAT, with hosting in Switzerland and the EU. You pay for your assistant with its provider, as before. All prices: Plans and add-ons.
Already have a website?
Then you don’t have to start over. The assistant takes it over page by page, from WordPress, Wix or Jimdo too: Taking over an existing website. Why we do without a content management system altogether is explained on Website without a CMS.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build a website with AI without knowing how to code?
Yes. You describe the website in your own words, the assistant writes the code. With MADLAB // Publishing you see every change in a preview before it goes live.
Which AI is best for building a website?
Any assistant that supports connectors (MCP), for example Claude or ChatGPT. We recommend Claude for getting started, because the connection also works on Claude’s free plan and on your phone.
How do I get a website built with ChatGPT online?
Connect ChatGPT to MADLAB // Publishing and ask it to create the website there. It stores the files, shows you a preview and publishes once you approve. If you already have the files, upload them as a ZIP.
What does a website built with AI cost?
Building and previewing are free. With your own domain, no badge and findable, hosting with us costs CHF 16.90 per month including VAT. On top of that comes your subscription with the AI provider, if you need one.
Does the website belong to me?
Yes. It is plain HTML files you can download at any time. A domain you order from us is registered in your name.