HighLevel’s New AI Website Builder – Not Perfect, but the Worst It Will Ever Be
Why the new AI Website Builder announced at the LevelUp Summit could change how SMEs build their online presence
HighLevel has introduced an AI Website Builder that can generate full websites from a short prompt. It is early, imperfect and still developing. But like most AI tools, this is the worst it will ever be. In a few months, it will be more accurate, more polished and more capable. In a year, it will be unrecognisable.
For SMEs that struggle to build or maintain a website, this announcement is meaningful. It signals a shift away from manual page building and towards AI-assisted creation that removes much of the initial effort.
This blog takes a clear, honest look at what this new builder means for small businesses.
What HighLevel Announced at the LevelUp Summit
At the 2025 LevelUp Summit, HighLevel revealed an early version of its AI-powered website builder. The concept is simple. Instead of starting with a blank page or one of the 1,000+ templates, users describe their business, services and style. The AI then generates a structured website that can be edited inside HighLevel’s drag and drop builder.
The tool is new. It is not perfect. The copy requires refinement, and the layouts sometimes need adjusting.
But as a first release, it is strong, fast and surprisingly practical.
The Reality – It Is Not Replacing Designers Today
It is easy to overhype new AI tools. The current state of the AI Website Builder is promising, but realistic.
Right now, it:
produces simple, serviceable page structures
generates basic copy that benefits from human improvement
follows predictable layouts
still requires oversight and edits
This is exactly what you would expect from version one.
And this is why the phrase “this is the worst it will ever be” matters.
Why This Phrase Is So Exciting – HighLevel and OpenAI Are Working Together
The most important part of this announcement was not the tool itself.
It was what HighLevel confirmed about the future.
HighLevel’s development team are working directly and closely with OpenAI’s developers.
This means:
faster improvements
more accurate generation
deeper understanding of business categories
smarter branding and layout suggestions
future tools built on the newest OpenAI technology
HighLevel is not building this in isolation. They are building it with the company leading global AI innovation.
And that collaboration is why this early version is the worst it will ever be.
Every update from OpenAI will push the tool forward.
Every sprint from HighLevel’s engineering team will refine how it works inside the platform.
We are at the very beginning of something that will evolve quickly.
Why This Matters for SMEs
Most SMEs face familiar website challenges:
No website at all.
A website they cannot update.
A website that is outdated and hurting their search ranking.
The AI Website Builder offers a fourth option – a fast, guided starting point.
It gives business owners something to work with immediately, rather than forcing them to begin from a blank screen. Combined with HighLevel’s drag and drop builder, it makes website maintenance far more accessible.
The Power Comes From Integration
The website is only one component. When combined with HighLevel’s wider ecosystem, the value multiplies:
Forms feed directly into the CRM
Calendars sync instantly (covered in our Calendars workshop)
Workflows automate follow up
Pipelines track leads
AI agents nurture, qualify and book appointments
The website becomes the entry point to a complete customer journey system.
This is where HighLevel’s advantage becomes clear. AI generation is helpful.
AI generation connected to an entire automation ecosystem is transformative.
Why “This Is the Worst It Will Ever Be” Matters for SMEs
AI tools evolve quickly. What feels limited today becomes powerful within weeks or months.
We have already seen this with:
AI content tools
AI voice systems
AI branding assistants
AI automation layers
HighLevel’s AI Website Builder will follow the same trajectory. And because the platform is working directly with OpenAI, the improvements will come faster and more intelligently than many expect.
This early version is the baseline. Everything from here improves.
What SMEs Should Do Now
Now is the ideal moment to get comfortable with HighLevel’s website builder.
Not because the AI system is perfect, but because understanding it early prepares you for every future upgrade.
The sooner you learn the workflow, the easier it becomes to take advantage of the improvements that will follow.
Our Recommendation – Templates vs AI: Which Should You Use?
HighLevel now gives users two solid starting options:
1. Use the 1,000+ Website and Funnel Templates (Our Preferred Option for Most SMEs)
This remains our recommended route for most businesses.
Why?
There is huge variety
You get instant inspiration
You begin with a proven layout
It’s easier to adjust something complete than rewrite AI-generated sections
Templates give you a clear, reliable starting point that requires minimal editing.
2. Use the AI Website Builder (Great if You Know Exactly What You Want)
If you have a clear vision or specific messaging, the AI builder can produce a quick first draft. You can then refine it using the drag and drop editor.
This option works best for businesses with defined branding and structure.
So What Should You Choose?
If you want guidance, variety and a polished foundation – start with a template.
If you know exactly what your website should look like – try the AI builder.
Both options will continue to improve, but templates currently offer more reliability and creative direction.
Final Thoughts – Early, Imperfect and Full of Potential
HighLevel’s AI Website Builder is not a finished product. It is early stage, slightly rough and still developing. But it is also built in partnership with OpenAI, and that collaboration is what makes the future so exciting.
This first version is the worst it will ever be.
Every update will make it more capable, more consistent and more powerful for SMEs that want a simpler way to manage their online presence.
👉 Explore our Websites and Funnels workshop to learn how to build and refine sites inside HighLevel: https://www.marketerm8.com/workshops-main
👉 Or book a discovery call to see how MarketerM8 can help you modernise your website and CRM systems: https://www.marketerm8.com/demo
Written by Atticus Mills - Marketing Consultant at MarketerM8 and AI Implementation Specialist at AI-M8
