AI is changing how developers build WordPress websites. From generating code snippets to optimizing SEO and automating content creation, AI tools can speed up workflows and handle repetitive tasks. But while AI offers efficiency, it also comes with risks – like security issues, inaccurate code, and low-quality content if used without oversight.
In this article, I’ll break down the best ways to use AI in WordPress development, the mistakes to avoid, and when human expertise is still irreplaceable.
Table of Contents
- How AI Is Used in WordPress Website Creation
- How AI Is Used by Crocoblock Customers
- Best Practices for Using AI in WordPress Development
- Common Pitfalls & Mistakes to Avoid When Using AI in WordPress Development
- FAQ
- Takeaway
How AI Is Used in WordPress Website Creation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming WordPress website creation, offering new ways for developers, designers, and content creators to streamline their workflows. AI tools assist with tasks that range from coding and debugging to SEO optimization and content generation. However, the extent to which professionals trust AI-generated outputs remains a point of discussion.
The 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey provides valuable insights into how AI is being adopted in development workflows, including WordPress website creation. Let’s break down the key findings and what they mean for WordPress professionals.
AI adoption in web development
AI adoption among developers has seen a steady increase, with 76% of respondents reporting they currently use or plan to use AI tools in their work. This marks a rise from 70% in 2023, reflecting the growing confidence in AI-powered solutions. However, while AI tools are widely used, developers remain cautious about their reliability.
One of the most interesting trends is how developers at different experience levels perceive AI. Those who are learning to code tend to trust AI-generated results more (49% confidence) compared to professional developers (42% confidence). This suggests that while AI is a useful tool, experienced developers still see limitations and risks in its outputs.
Ethical concerns
One of the most interesting diagrams for me was the one about ethical issues for AI. Users are mostly concerned (79% of them) about circulating misinformation or disinformation. Missing or incorrect attribution of sourced data was the number two issue for developers. Well, hopefully, AI will make progress here.
How is AI used?
Let’s see how AI is used in various niches, including coding, content creation, design, SEO optimization, and website building automation.
Code generation and debugging
AI-powered tools such as GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT are widely used for writing and refining code. In the context of WordPress development, AI assists in:
- generating custom PHP, JavaScript, and CSS snippets;
- debugging errors in theme and plugin development;
- providing suggestions for optimizing performance.
AI helps speed up development, but the accuracy of AI-generated code remains a challenge. It can be helpful and a time saver if you already have some skills. But if you have little to no knowledge, it might be a problem and waste your time and even mislead.
In the diagram below, you can see the most frequently used AI tools developers choose according to the survey.
Content creation and optimization
For WordPress content creators, AI tools are being used to automate and enhance written content. AI helps with:
- generating blog posts and product descriptions;
- summarizing and repurposing content;
- SEO optimization, including meta descriptions and keyword suggestions.
According to the survey, 59% of users rely on AI to update existing pages, and 55% use it for content creation. This reflects the increasing role AI plays in automating repetitive content tasks while allowing creators to focus on strategic work.
However, the biggest problem with content creation is that it can spread misinformation, so it will circulate repeatedly. Also, with great “confidence,” AI can generate responses to questions it actually has no idea about, which is misleading. That’s why AI content generation can be efficient only if it’s very general information based on loads of documentation, not advertisements or marketing texts, or if it’s something like summarizing or text flow correction.
AI in web design and visual content
AI-driven tools such as Adobe Firefly and Midjourney enable WordPress designers to quickly create custom graphics, banners, and website layouts. The survey indicates that 53% of respondents use AI to generate visuals.
While AI-generated visuals are improving, designers still need to refine and adjust elements to ensure brand consistency and quality. AI serves as an assistant rather than a full replacement for human creativity.
Again, it can work only with what has already been created and it can’t replace human creativity.
SEO and performance optimization
AI tools are also becoming essential for search engine optimization (SEO) and website performance improvements. According to the survey, 40% of users leverage AI for SEO tasks such as:
- keyword research and content recommendations;
- automated internal linking suggestions;
- analyzing user behavior and site performance metrics.
By analyzing large sets of data, AI helps WordPress site owners refine their content strategies and improve site rankings more effectively.
Automated website building
One of the most significant advancements is the use of AI for automated website creation. The survey shows that 25% of developers have used AI to build entire websites. AI-assisted site builders like Wix ADI, 10Web AI Builder, and Elementor AI are making it easier for non-developers to launch fully functional WordPress websites with minimal effort.
However, AI-generated websites often require manual adjustments to ensure proper performance, security, and customization beyond default templates.
How AI Is Used by Crocoblock Customers
To understand better how AI fits into WordPress development, I ran a small poll among Crocoblock users. The results showed that while many use AI for coding, debugging, and content assistance, few fully trust it without manual review.
Most often, Crocoblock users generate code and content, and the third most popular task is text correction and translation.
Most of them use code generation for PHP, and then JavaScript and HTML; SQL queries are in the last place – which is very logical, in my opinion.
When it comes to Crocoblock AI tools, the most popular tool so far is the SQL query builder. It’s one of the first AI-powered features the Crocoblock team released, but have you tried the recent convenient and powerful AI website structure builder? It’s really a timesaver and definitely does the job.
What Crocoblock wants in terms of new features is likely what we all want – less generic, more specifically trained AI models that can solve complex problems for particular cases and offer innovative solutions.
Best Practices for Using AI in WordPress Development
Summarizing all of the above and also some experience of our Support team, these are best practices for using AI in WordPress website development:
- Use AI for code assistance, not full automation. AI can generate code but always review and refine it.
- Use AI for most generic code, not very specific hooks, and tweaking specific plugins.
- Leverage AI for content and SEO optimization. AI can help generate blog posts (only if the topics are quite generic and prompts are properly made), meta descriptions, and keyword strategies, but human oversight is crucial.
- You can learn basic coding, as AI is trained based on a lot of proper documentation about PHP, JavaScript, etc.
- AI can be useful for understanding the fundamental principles of WordPress.
- Enhance user experience with AI-powered chatbots. Examples include AI chatbots for support or AI-driven recommendations.
- Speed up design with AI image generators and editors, which include tools like Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, and AI-powered image editors, e.g., for removing backgrounds.
- Operate AI for accessibility enhancements. AI can assist in making WordPress sites more accessible, such as generating alt text for images and optimizing color contrast.
- Use AI to automate testing. AI-driven testing tools can help identify broken links, UI inconsistencies, and potential bugs before deployment.
Common Pitfalls & Mistakes to Avoid When Using AI in WordPress Development
- Don’t rely on AI-generated code without testing. AI can make errors, leading to security risks.
- Don’t rely on AI suggestions when it comes to specific plugins, such as Crocoblock suite, asking it to change some code related to plugins. Most probably, it will create a solution that will not work. The reason is that the plugins are developing very fast, and AI is not aware of all the technical details and solutions.
- Don’t rely on AI to learn about plugins and themes. You will receive misleading and incorrect information, as AI responses will be based on advertisements and faulty sources.
- Don’t depend on AI for custom plugin development. AI can assist with basic plugins, but complex, business-critical plugins require human expertise.
- Avoid AI for critical security-related tasks. AI-generated security configurations or scripts may not be reliable.
- Rely on common sense when it comes to building a website structure based on AI suggestions. For instance, if it suggests you apply, let’s say, the proper atomic design principle when you use JetEngine components, and your website has over a hundred pages with a lot of graphics and dynamic content, I doubt you will ever get a good result.
- Avoid overloading your website with AI features. AI-powered tools can be resource-intensive, slowing down website performance.
- Don’t overuse AI-generated content. Google prioritizes helpful content; AI-generated text still needs human editing. Also, AI tools may introduce biases in content or recommendations, so always review outputs critically.
- Be wary of AI-generated translations – AI translations can lack accuracy and cultural nuance, requiring human proofreading.
- Be careful with AI licensing and copyright issues. Images or text generated by AI may have legal implications.
FAQ
No, AI can assist with tasks like code generation, content edits, and SEO, but it still requires humans. AI lacks a deep understanding of user needs, design principles, and complex plugin interactions.
AI-generated code can be helpful, but it must always be reviewed and tested. AI can make errors, introduce security risks, or generate outdated solutions that don’t align with current WordPress standards.
Yes, AI tools can optimize meta descriptions, generate content ideas, and suggest keywords, but human input is essential.
AI often provides outdated or incorrect information about plugins, especially rapidly evolving ones like Crocoblock. It’s best to rely on official documentation and expert advice instead of AI-generated plugin recommendations.
Google prioritizes helpful, high-quality content, whether AI-generated or not. If AI content is low-quality, unedited, or lacks value, it may harm your rankings.
Takeaway
AI is a powerful tool for WordPress development, but it’s not a magic solution. It can speed up coding, enhance SEO, and improve content creation, but human oversight is essential to avoid errors, security risks, and low-quality results. Use AI wisely – leverage its strengths, but don’t rely on it blindly. The best approach is a balanced one, where AI supports your workflow without replacing critical thinking and expertise.
In this article, I’ve collected the statistics provided by StackOverflow and the poll results made for Crocoblock users about their opinions on AI in development. Also, summarized best and worst practices when it comes to WordPress website development and the AI role there in particular. So, hopefully, this helps you stay on the right track!
