AI Is Changing Work in 2026. Websites Are Still the Foundation.
You have probably seen the headlines already. AI replacing jobs. AI doing work faster. AI changing everything. Some of that is true. Some of it is noise. The part worth paying attention to is how AI actually works.
AI does not exist in a vacuum. It feeds on the web. Every answer, summary, comparison, or recommendation starts somewhere. Most of the time, it starts on a website. Service pages. Blog posts. Product listings. Help pages. Clear structured content written by real people for real businesses.
Without websites, AI has nothing solid to pull from.
From a business point of view, nothing fundamental has changed. People still search when they need help. They still want to understand who you are, what you offer, and whether they trust you. A social profile alone does not do that. Platforms change. Algorithms shift. Accounts get throttled. A website stays under your control.
Your site is where the detail lives. Pricing. Proof. Case studies. Contact details. Booking forms. Payments. Portfolios. All the things people look for before they commit. AI does not replace that process. It points people towards it.
AI tools also sit on top of websites, not instead of them. Chatbots need source content. AI search results still reference original URLs. Local search still sends traffic to business sites. If there is no site, there is nowhere for that traffic to land.
If you run a business, your website still does the heavy lifting. It works while you sleep. It filters serious enquiries. It supports ads, email, social, and AI driven discovery. Without one, you lose control of your message and your data.
If you design websites, your role does not disappear. It evolves. Visual design still matters. Clarity matters more. Page structure. Content flow. Navigation. Speed. Mobile layouts. Accessibility. AI can generate words, but it does not understand context, intent, or tone without guidance.
Clients also need help using AI properly. Turning rough output into clear pages. Shaping content so it makes sense. Structuring sites so people and search engines understand them. This is where experience still counts.
AI makes content easier to produce. It also makes the web noisier. That means well built websites stand out more, not less. Clear thinking beats volume. Trust beats speed.
Websites are not disappearing. They are becoming the foundation layer. AI sits on top of that foundation. Businesses without a solid site fall behind quietly. Designers who focus on clarity and outcomes stay relevant.
The tools are changing. The need for a proper website is not.
Work with a trusted Squarespace Designer UK, View my Squarespace Portfolio, Design Portfolio, or Contact Luntdesign.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a designer to set up a Squarespace site?
A: While you can build a site yourself, a professional Squarespace designer ensures your site is well-structured, SEO-optimised, and aligned with your brand.
Q: How often should I update my website or blog?
A: Even small updates every few months help keep content fresh, which encourages Google to re-crawl your site and can boost rankings.
Q: What’s the best way to improve SEO on Squarespace?
A: Focus on clear navigation, internal links between pages, optimised meta descriptions, and properly sized images.