Community Showcase: Websyte.ai | #TheChangelog (September 2024)

Introduction

Hello everyone! I’m Manuel, and I’m excited to share my journey of building a new website called Websyte.ai—a chat-based page builder that empowers users to edit landing pages seamlessly. With Websyte.ai, you can converse with your landing page just like you would with a developer, allowing you to easily add advanced widgets and animations without the typical learning curve.

Motivation Behind Websyte.ai

My motivation stemmed from my experiences using various page builders, such as Webflow, Framer, and Bubble, as well as implementing a builder at my current job. We use it to create interactive, article-style pages for sponsored content. Through these experiences, I realized that the learning curve was a significant bottleneck for many users. Even with no-code builders, a basic understanding of concepts like CSS and flexbox is often necessary—knowledge that many users may lack.

The vision for Websyte.ai is to enable users to build pages using natural language while still providing traditional editing tools. This flexibility facilitates quick iteration without the delays that often accompany communications with developers, which can hinder timelines. Additionally, Websyte.ai incorporates AI features right out of the box, including copywriting tools that allow you to rephrase text on your landing page with ease. For example, typing “rephrase all texts in the landing page to have a more friendly tone” instantly updates the content with a friendlier style. It’s an exciting time for developers and content creators alike!

Building Websyte.ai

When I began building Websyte.ai, I knew that Directus, a powerful content management system, would be integral to my stack. My familiarity with Directus made it an appealing choice because it permits easy persistence and editing of data. However, I did face a challenge regarding the integration of design tools. While I could copy source code, I appreciated the ability to run a Docker image with relevant extensions.

At one point, I considered using Supabase, but I found it a bit overkill for my needs and realized it would introduce unnecessary complexity. Ultimately, Directus provided the balance of simplicity and functionality that I was looking for.

Challenges Faced

Throughout this journey, one of the biggest challenges has been crafting the right prompts for the AI and refining them until they yield consistent results—a common struggle for many developers utilizing AI. Initially, I implemented a system where the AI generated GrapesJS-specific JavaScript code for execution in the browser. However, I am transitioning towards a more robust rag and artifact-style architecture that I believe will enhance the platform's reliability.

Another significant hurdle has been marketing. As a developer, I had no prior marketing experience but realized I needed to develop those skills in order to get the word out about Websyte.ai. I’ve explored building in public and engaging in email marketing, learning as I go. It’s been a challenging yet enjoyable experience!

Future Plans and Collaborations

Looking ahead, I am eager to enhance the platform and welcome potential collaborators, especially in marketing and design. I have scheduled a call with a designer next week to discuss UI and UX improvements. I’m also on the lookout for users to help test the application to ensure it meets broader needs, as I’ve been focusing primarily on my own requirements during development.

Thank you for your interest and support as I continue to build Websyte.ai!

Keyword

Websyte.ai, page builder, natural language editing, Directus, AI features, copywriting, marketing, UI/UX, testing.

FAQ

Q: What is Websyte.ai?
A: Websyte.ai is a chat-based landing page builder that allows users to edit their pages using natural language, eliminating the traditional learning curve associated with page builders.

Q: What motivated you to create Websyte.ai?
A: The motivation arose from the challenges users face with existing tools, particularly the steep learning curve and the need for basic coding knowledge.

Q: Which technologies are used in Websyte.ai?
A: Websyte.ai utilizes Directus as its content management system and is built with a focus on incorporating AI features from the ground up.

Q: What challenges did you face during development?
A: Some challenges included creating effective prompts for the AI, transitioning from an initial coding approach, and learning marketing skills to promote the app.

Q: Are you looking for collaborators?
A: Yes, I am actively seeking help with marketing and design, and I’m open to user feedback to ensure the platform meets diverse needs.