Internet hosting platform WordPress.com on Wednesday launched a brand new AI web site builder that permits anybody to create a functioning web site utilizing an AI chat-style interface. The function, which is being made accessible to WordPress customers totally free, is focused at entrepreneurs, freelancers, bloggers, and others who want knowledgeable on-line presence, the corporate says.

At the moment, the AI builder just isn’t able to creating extra superior web sites like these wanted for e-commerce shops or others with advanced integrations.

Whereas AI-powered web site builders are not new, the addition is designed to assist WordPress higher compete with corporations like Squarespace and Wix, which supply AI builders to hurry up web site creation and design. However like most of those builders right now, extra superior web site edits and layouts will nonetheless require an understanding of web site growth and design instruments. In time, that would change because the AIs study from the edits customers make to their websites after the preliminary creation.

To make use of the brand new device, customers interact with an AI chatbot in a conversational type to design the web site with their very own textual content and pictures and to configure the positioning’s structure.

To get began, customers first sort in a immediate that explains their web site thought — like “construct an internet site for my espresso store.” The corporate suggests being as particular as doable on this immediate, providing a web site title and brief description, together with details about what kind of content material the positioning will host.

Customers then both join or log in with their WordPress account to look at the AI construct their web site for them. (The function is simply accessible for brand-new web sites, the corporate notes.) After the positioning is created, customers can chat with the AI to make adjustments, or they will regulate issues manually if most popular. The AI builder consists of 30 free prompts earlier than customers might want to select a internet hosting plan, all of which embody limitless prompts. This offers individuals a option to attempt the AI builder and see if it can meet their wants earlier than committing to internet hosting on WordPress.com.

The corporate says the AI is powered by a mixture of self-hosted open supply fashions and externally hosted fashions.

To launch the finalized web site to the general public, a internet hosting plan is required. These usually vary from $48 per 12 months for a private web site to $300 per 12 months for a enterprise web site. WordPress.com says that customers who create with the AI builder might want to choose between the Premium ($96/12 months) and Enterprise plans, nonetheless.

The plans embody a set quantity of storage, a free area for a 12 months, entry to free premium themes, buyer help, and extra. The AI builder is obtainable alongside these plans at no extra cost.