Every business needs a home online. The good news: you can now build a simple website with AI, without coding. I've tested two beginner routes in full on my channel, one with Claude and one with ChatGPT Sites. They get you to a working page in different ways, and the differences matter once real people start filling in your form.
Here's how each one works, what it costs, and how to choose.
The short answer
| Claude (Design) | ChatGPT Sites | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | One HTML page file you download and keep | A site built and hosted inside ChatGPT |
| Plan needed | Works on the free plan (within your allowance) | ChatGPT Plus or higher (not Free or Go) |
| Hosting | You upload the file to a host, e.g. Hostinger, or use a free option such as Netlify | Included, on a free chatgpt.site address or your own domain |
| Forms | Embed a form from your email tool (I used Brevo), so sign-ups go straight to your list | A built-in form that saves requests in the site's database; no email alert |
| Your own domain | Through your host | Add a custom domain and set DNS records at your domain provider |
| Keeping a copy | You already have the file | No official export when I recorded; I asked ChatGPT for a zip of the files |
Choose Claude if you want the file in your own hands and a form that feeds your email list. Choose ChatGPT Sites if you already pay for ChatGPT Plus and want building and hosting in one place.
Route 1: Build a simple website with Claude
▶️ Watch: How to Make a Simple Website with AI (Claude Design for beginners)
Decide three things first. Who is it for, what one problem does your offer help with, and what's the one action you want visitors to take? A sentence each is enough.
Turn on Code execution and file creation. In Claude, open Settings, then Capabilities. Claude's design tool needs it, and it works on the free plan.
Ask for the words before the page. Tell Claude what proof you really have. For a new offer, that's none yet.
Check the copy line by line. Remove anything Claude made up: testimonials, numbers, "thousands of happy users" or guarantees you can't keep.
Turn the words into a page in the same chat, with your logo and colours, and a space for the sign-up form.
Add a real sign-up form. Create the form in your email tool, copy its embed code and ask Claude to put it on the page. Use a separate list for these sign-ups, double confirmation, and clear consent wording.
Download the file and test it. Sign up with your own email and confirm you arrive in your list.
Put it online. Upload the file to your host and name it index.html.
To change something later, tell Claude exactly what to change and ask it to leave the rest alone.
Route 2: Build a website with ChatGPT Sites
▶️ Watch: How to Build a Website with ChatGPT Sites (On Your Own Domain)
Open Sites. Click Explore in the ChatGPT sidebar, then Sites, then Create Site.
Describe your site in plain words: who it's for, what should be on the page, one quote form and the colours you like. I built a page for a sample business, Green Leaf Garden Services.
Ask for changes in plain words, for example a shorter heading or a button higher up. Check it in a narrow view and on your phone.
Make the form a working form. My first version was only a demo, so I asked ChatGPT to save each request. Requests are saved inside the site, not emailed to you, so check them regularly.
Publish. A new site is private. Change Sharing to Public, then click Publish. You get a free address ending in chatgpt.site.
Connect your own domain (optional). Add a custom domain, then copy each DNS record to your domain provider. Mine was ready in about five minutes.
After every publish, check that the site still says Visible to everyone. Mine switched back to private once.
Five checks before you rely on a ChatGPT site
Who owns it. OpenAI's site terms say your content is yours, but it's a beta service that can be unpublished or removed.
Your form data. You're responsible for what your form collects. In South Africa that's the POPI Act. Add a short privacy line and a tick box.
Your chats. Your build chats may be used to improve OpenAI's models if that setting is on. Don't paste client details into the chat.
Keep a copy. There was no official download when I recorded. A zip of the files protects your work, but the form requests aren't in it.
What happens if you stop paying. OpenAI's help pages don't say. Keep your own copy of the files and keep your domain with you.
Many of these checks apply to any website you build with AI, including one made with Claude.
What it costs
Claude: the design tool works on the free plan and uses your allowance. Paid plans give you more room.
ChatGPT Sites: needs ChatGPT Plus or higher (Plus was $20 a month when I recorded).
Email form: Brevo has a free plan for getting started.
Hosting: ChatGPT Sites includes it. For a Claude page, there are free options such as Netlify and paid hosts such as Hostinger. Check that a free plan allows business use.
Your domain usually costs a yearly fee, wherever you host.
Prices change, so check each tool's pricing page before you sign up.
Is building your lane?
Every online business needs a home online, and building it is one skill. For some people building is their main lane; for others it's a supporting job you keep simple with tools like these. If building your page gave you energy, that's a clue worth noticing. The free TrueLane™ assessment helps you find the lane where you create value most naturally.
Free downloads
Building with Claude? Get the Landing Page Starter Kit: all the prompts from the video, plus a checklist for your sign-up form.
Building with ChatGPT Sites? Get the ChatGPT Sites Go-Live Checklist: the exact build prompt, the five checks, a privacy line and the DNS steps.
Quick answers
Can I build a website with AI for free? With Claude, yes: the design tool works on the free plan, and free hosting options exist. ChatGPT Sites needs Plus or higher.
Do I need to know coding? No. With both tools you describe what you want in plain words.
Which one is better for collecting email sign-ups? Claude, with a form from your email tool, because sign-ups go straight to your list. ChatGPT Sites saves requests inside the site and doesn't email you.
Can I use my own domain? Yes, with both. With ChatGPT Sites you must already own the domain; ChatGPT doesn't sell domains.