WP.com AI Website Builder: Part 1

I got a chance to explore the WP.com AI Website Builder today, and I’m excited to share my insights. For Part 1, let’s discuss the front page.

Personality is ok

I really wish they would have given it a name. Think about the AI you interact with on a daily basis – Alexa, Siri, Claude (my favorite AI tool). I don’t want to interact with something as generic as “AI Website Builder” – I want a personality, a digital companion on my website creation journey.

Here are some names that are short, memorable, and easy to pronounce:

• Nova: Bright, energetic, and suggests new possibilities
• Mira: Sounds approachable while implying something worth looking at
• Finn: Simple, friendly, and has a confident ring to it
• Zara: Sleek, modern, and has a design-forward feel
• Atlas: Conveys strength and the ability to carry the weight of website creation
• Cora: Warm, helpful, and sounds like a knowledgeable friend

A named AI doesn’t just make the interaction more personal – it transforms the entire user experience from using a tool to collaborating with an assistant. This seemingly small branding decision could dramatically increase user engagement and emotional connection to the product.

Words Matter

I’m not really a fan of everything being about the underlying tech. Yes, AI is doing all the work, but I want to focus on what you can do for me, not how you’re going to do it. I don’t know how all sorts of things work.

I don’t understand the mechanics of flight—I just appreciate that planes can get me to Japan.

I don’t understand how microchips work—all I care about is that my computer lets me buy things from Japan. Are you sensing a trend here? 🙂

Tagline

Take the tagline: Why mention “prompts” at all? Sure, that’s what’s happening technically, but users don’t need to know that. To them, they’re just having a conversation with Nova.

Or why is everything about “Building”? I know engineers love to build but most people go their whole lives without building anything. Most people just want to create something beautiful, establish their online presence, or share their passion with the world. They’re not “building” – they’re expressing, connecting, or growing their business.

Instead of “Build a website in seconds with AI,” how about something like: “Meet Nova: Your website comes to life through conversation” “Tell Nova what you want – watch your vision appear” “Your perfect website, just by talking with Nova”.

People want results, not processes. They want websites that work for them, not a lesson in how the technology functions. Let’s focus on the outcome – a beautiful, functional website – rather than explaining the mechanics behind it.

The same way I don’t need to understand jet propulsion to enjoy my flight to Japan, users shouldn’t need to think about “prompts” or “building” to get their perfect website.

Microcopy

Microcopy is a passion of mine. I think it’s more important than titles, taglines, or anything else on a website.

On the homepage, let’s talk about that default prompt example. This is a major pet peeve of mine. Why is every example in the WordPress world a coffee shop website? It’s so frustrating! No one is using this for their coffee shop—stop using that as the quintessential use case for WordPress.

People are creating professional service sites, portfolios, online stores, and community hubs. Let’s show examples that represent the actual diversity of WordPress users and their real needs:

“I need a portfolio site to showcase my architectural designs” “Create a coaching website with online booking” “I want an online store for my handcrafted jewelry” “Build me a community platform for my neighborhood association”

These authentic, varied examples do two crucial things: they show the true versatility of what Nova can create, and they help users imagine their own possibilities. That little prompt box is where people first visualize what Nova can do for them—it should reflect their actual aspirations, not some generic café template that’s been overused for decades.

The microcopy throughout the entire user journey needs this same level of thoughtful consideration. Every field label, button, and helper text shapes how people understand and connect with Nova. This isn’t just about clarity—it’s about creating a conversation that feels natural and inspiring.