The AI builders promise you a website in 60 seconds. Some of them almost mean it. I've been building my own sites since 1998, so I tested them the only way that counts: by building real sites and showing you the screenshots.
Registered your own domain. Picked a tool that fits. Shipped the imperfect version.
ONLINE SINCE 1998 ✓Start here
Every "I need a website" problem comes down to what you're building and how much you want to touch. These three get you moving today.
The flagship guide: the three honest paths, the five decisions that matter, and my picks for each kind of site, from a quarter century of doing it.
Read the guide →Wix, Hostinger, Framer, and Durable, all handed the same real business. Side-by-side screenshots and a clear winner.
See what happened →I'm rebuilding my entire portfolio of 90s-era sites with today's tools, in public, with real numbers. First up: the coupon site.
Follow the rebuild →Hands-on reviews
Every review here comes from actually building a real site with the tool. Screenshots included, annoyances included.
Site, hosting, domain, and email on one bill. The bundle economics are hard to argue with.
Full review →The AI drafts that actually look designed. A learning curve that's worth it if looks sell your work.
Full review →The biggest name, re-tested with 1998 eyes. Better than its old reputation. Know the lock-in first.
Full review →The rest of the AI builder field gets the same treatment: same brief, same honesty.
IN THE WORKSHOPBest builder for...
Picks by what you're actually building, backed by live sites I run in each category.
Shows, music links, and a mailing list the algorithm can't throttle. Picked by someone who runs real music sites.
See the picks →Look real this week, show up on Google Maps, take the phone call.
IN THE WORKSHOPThe soul of the old web, with 2026 tools. I run two fan sites older than Wikipedia.
IN THE WORKSHOPOne short email when a new build log entry or review ships. Real numbers from the portfolio revival, no filler, unsubscribe anytime.