Some Insights on Using AI for Website Development

Lessons Learned

After more than two months, burning billions of tokens, taking some detours, I have some insights, but at least most of those billions of tokens were wasted.

Experience and Insights

Without further ado, I'll list my insights directly.

1. Clear Goal

For example, if you want to build a website, you must first have a clear goal. If the goal is not clear, take the time to think it through yourself, or discuss with AI. You can talk to multiple AIs, from different angles, let AI ask you questions—anyway, through various discussions and summaries, clarify the goal and know what you want.

2. Let AI Generate Copy

Once the goal is clear, you can have AI generate copy. From website slogans, features, about us, etc., AI can produce detailed copy, but you need to verify and confirm each one. If you want to be a hands-off manager, I suggest you don't waste tokens.

3. Confirm Features with AI

This is very critical. Only after the website's features are determined can you determine other things, such as database structure, site navigation, etc. Features must avoid being overly ambitious. Even if you want to build something big and comprehensive, you must proceed step by step. Clarify what M1 does, complete M2 before thinking about M2.

4. Determine Page Style

You need to give AI a clear style reference or clear page requirements, and have AI produce page previews for you—not development, just pages. This step cannot be compromised; keep revising until you are satisfied.

5. Determine Database Structure

Discuss with AI how to achieve extreme database simplification, how to achieve extremely fast page response, etc. In short, go back and forth with AI until you are satisfied.

6. Start Development

By this step, the website is essentially done.

7. Testing

a. Test it yourself.
b. Let AI test and optimize on its own. You can also have AI import large amounts of data to do some extreme tests, such as stress testing.

8. Results

My laolv.org is based on the YeCha blog system. YeCha was developed by AI following the steps above. If interested, you can follow it. I will continue development. This is open-source software with no hidden features or backdoors. The program I use is the same as the publicly released one.