AI-Generated Websites:
The Risks No One is Talking About
Wendy Royal,
Director of Digital Strategy
EPC Digital
Director of Digital Strategy
EPC Digital
I recently met with a small business owner who wanted to start running Programmatic Digital ads. One caveat: he needed a new website first. After our discussion, I got off the phone and googled his business – nothing. And I mean nothing. After going to the 4th page of Google results, I realized there was something seriously wrong with this website: his business name wasn’t coming up at all. Once I typed in the actual web address and checked out the website, I saw some red flags, but without seeing the backend of the site, I still didn’t know exactly why I couldn’t find it in a search. After completing a free audit of his website, it revealed they were receiving little to no organic traffic, which was probably due to the fact that there was no SEO built into the site, along with other things that Google is known to flag.
In our conversation, he told me that he wanted a website, and his neighbor said he could create one for him in a matter of minutes using AI. My client informed me that it took approximately 5 minutes to generate a brand-new website, and the only cost was for him to purchase a domain name and have it hosted. Seems like technology is working for the little guy, right? Not in this case.
AI can build websites in minutes, but are they truly a valuable resource for your business if no one can find them? More importantly, are they secure?
Not only was my client's AI-generated website not found in a search, but he couldn’t make changes. I suppose if he were an AI or coding expert, he may have been able to figure it out, but I would venture to say that if that were the case, he would not have built his website this way.
When reputable creators develop websites, security isn’t a bonus feature; it’s an absolute must. One overlooked vulnerability could lead to long-term implications that could be very costly and even catastrophic for some small businesses.
While low cost, speed, and convenience is a hallmark of AI websites, building a secure infrastructure doesn’t happen in mere minutes. If a website does not have an SSL Certificate, browsers will flag it as a security threat. SSL certificates add a layer of protection against cybercriminals who can steal your and your customers' data. Who is accountable when things go wrong? Not the tool you used to create it.
AI shortcuts don’t just impact security; they impact your brand.
That is not to say that AI is bad for your business - unchecked AI is. Technology brands have been using AI to assist in processes for a long time. Many small businesses are discovering the merits of AI assistance in workflow, structure, systems management, and other operations within the company. While AI can be a tremendous help, a human needs to manage it - overseeing and making necessary adjustments. As with anything we do in business, trust and accountability are crucial.
Our approach at EPC Digital is to work one-on-one with small businesses to make sure their website is more than just their online storefront. We make sure it strengthens their brand, tells their unique story, and helps build credibility and trust with customers. And you won’t have to delay investing in other necessary business developments because you’re building a website. Check out some of the websites we’ve created here. None of them cost our clients more than $750 to build.
So what happened with my client? We are working on his website now, and in a few short weeks, it will be showcased at the link above. Then we’ll get started on his digital ad campaign.
In our conversation, he told me that he wanted a website, and his neighbor said he could create one for him in a matter of minutes using AI. My client informed me that it took approximately 5 minutes to generate a brand-new website, and the only cost was for him to purchase a domain name and have it hosted. Seems like technology is working for the little guy, right? Not in this case.
AI can build websites in minutes, but are they truly a valuable resource for your business if no one can find them? More importantly, are they secure?
Not only was my client's AI-generated website not found in a search, but he couldn’t make changes. I suppose if he were an AI or coding expert, he may have been able to figure it out, but I would venture to say that if that were the case, he would not have built his website this way.
When reputable creators develop websites, security isn’t a bonus feature; it’s an absolute must. One overlooked vulnerability could lead to long-term implications that could be very costly and even catastrophic for some small businesses.
While low cost, speed, and convenience is a hallmark of AI websites, building a secure infrastructure doesn’t happen in mere minutes. If a website does not have an SSL Certificate, browsers will flag it as a security threat. SSL certificates add a layer of protection against cybercriminals who can steal your and your customers' data. Who is accountable when things go wrong? Not the tool you used to create it.
AI shortcuts don’t just impact security; they impact your brand.
That is not to say that AI is bad for your business - unchecked AI is. Technology brands have been using AI to assist in processes for a long time. Many small businesses are discovering the merits of AI assistance in workflow, structure, systems management, and other operations within the company. While AI can be a tremendous help, a human needs to manage it - overseeing and making necessary adjustments. As with anything we do in business, trust and accountability are crucial.
Our approach at EPC Digital is to work one-on-one with small businesses to make sure their website is more than just their online storefront. We make sure it strengthens their brand, tells their unique story, and helps build credibility and trust with customers. And you won’t have to delay investing in other necessary business developments because you’re building a website. Check out some of the websites we’ve created here. None of them cost our clients more than $750 to build.
So what happened with my client? We are working on his website now, and in a few short weeks, it will be showcased at the link above. Then we’ll get started on his digital ad campaign.