The YouTube transcript details how to use IONOS’s AI website builder to create a functional website. It walks through the process of signing up, selecting a plan, and choosing a domain name.
The video demonstrates using AI to generate website content, customize design elements, and add new sections. The tutorial also explains how to manage website pages, optimize them for search engines, and connect a custom domain. Finally, it touches on previewing the website across devices before publishing it.
Getting Started with IONOS AI Website Builder
To begin building a website with IONOS, click the partner link in the video description to support the channel. This directs you to the IONOS website where you can explore their website builder, heavily promoted for its AI features.
You’ll need to sign up and choose a plan, with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. The starter plan is the most affordable initially. After selecting a plan, you can search for an available domain name.
After choosing a domain, you can review your cart, which includes the website builder and your domain, free for the first year. Proceed by entering your customer details and payment information.
Once completed, you can access the website builder and begin creating your site with AI. Before AI, templates were available for various businesses like fitness centers or coffee shops.
Harnessing AI for Website Creation
To use the AI feature, start by giving your business a name and selecting a category. This helps the AI tailor images and design to your specific needs.
Next, provide a detailed prompt describing your business; the more specific, the better the AI can design your website. Include details about your services and target clients.
Choose the tone for your website—professional, playful, or inspirational—to match your brand. Select a design template and color scheme to further refine the site’s look. You can always adjust these later.
Enter your personal information, such as address, phone number, and email, to populate your contact page. The AI then generates several website variations based on your input.
Select the best-looking template. The AI generates text and selects images suited to your needs, providing a tailored starting point. You can then customize the content and images.
Navigating the IONOS Dashboard and Editor
After selecting a template, you’ll be directed to the IONOS dashboard. This admin area displays site stats and provides access to the website editor.
The dashboard also offers online marketing tools, allowing you to track competitors and manage local business listings. You can upgrade to access e-commerce features and sell products online.
The dashboard contains your business profile information. To edit your website, select “edit website” from the dashboard to enter the editor.
In the editor, you can modify the website that the AI generated. Use the AI text generator to create or improve text content, choosing from various topics or tones.
Adjust font sizes and emphasize parts of the text by making them bold. Websites are built in sections, each containing elements like headlines, paragraphs, and buttons.
Customizing Website Elements
Buttons need to link to specific pages. Change the button text (e.g., “Contact Us”) and link it to a page on your site, such as the contact page that the AI created.
Alternatively, link buttons to external pages like social media profiles or other websites. You can also link to an email address, phone number, or a downloadable document.
Customize the button’s appearance by changing its color and style, such as choosing a primary or ghost button. To change an image, click “replace” and upload your own, or use images from IONOS’ database.
Ionos provides an AI image creator, but the generated images may not be perfect. For better images, consider using free stock photo sites like Unsplash.
Remember to link social media icons to your respective profiles. Set up the contact section by entering your email address in the destination email field.
Adding and Editing Sections
To add a new section, click “add section” and choose from various styles like a picture with text or a gallery. Each section can be customized with your own text and background pictures.
In section options, under “elements,” you can choose which elements to include, such as headlines, descriptions, buttons, or images. Use the flexible editing experience to move elements around within a section.
With flexible editing, you can adjust the position and size of elements. You can change button alignment and style.
To further customize a section’s design, explore the section options to change background images or add shapes. These shapes can be round, wavy, or cloudy.
Within the elements options, add new elements like social media icons. You can delete unwanted sections.
Managing Website Pages and Design
To add a new page, click on “pages” and then “add new,” giving it a name like “Pricing”. After adding a page, click “edit content” and then “add section” to populate it with content.
Sections have different style options, allowing you to choose the arrangement you prefer. Drag and drop pages to reorder them in the menu.
Adjust the number of visible menu items under the “style” option to prevent a dropdown menu. You can also increase the menu size.
Improve your site’s search engine optimization (SEO) by adding an SEO title and description to each page. Use relevant keywords to help people find your website on Google.
Create or upload a social media image to be displayed when your page is shared on platforms like TikTok or LinkedIn. In the design settings, customize the color scheme, fonts, and other visual elements.
Finalizing and Publishing Your Website
Upload your logo to replace the default text. After adding content and pictures, preview your website to see how it looks on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
IONOS automatically adapts your website for different devices. If you are satisfied, publish the website.
You’ll receive a dummy domain (e.g., test23.ionos.com). The website is now live under this test domain.
To use your own domain, go back to the IONOS dashboard and connect your domain. If you purchased the domain through IONOS, it will automatically connect and enable SSL.
If your domain doesn’t connect automatically, follow the steps in the dashboard to connect it.