Should I use AI to write my website copy…or go for a web copy template?

Quick synopsis: This blog explores the pros + cons of using AI, a traditional web copy template, and a hybrid option — website copy templates with built-in AI prompts. Check ’em out. You’ll learn how each option stacks up, what works best depending on where you’re at in your business, and why blending AI with strategic templates could be the smartest way to DIY your copy – with zero robotic, “meh” vibes and all the personality your brand deserves.

Let me flip that question (that blog title) on its head.

Should I use AI to write my website copy…or go for a web copy template? I say: WHY CHOOSE?

That’s a question that hit me like a ton of bricks one v. early morning. Why are creative business owners having to compromise on this? Sure, AI is affordable, accessible and speedy. But it comes at a cost… usually.

And that cost is quality. Because lack of strategic direction, considered input + genuine human insight meant a lot of web copy being AI-generated was obvious, a bit boring and not doing the trick. The trick being to attract, engage + convert dream clients. To be frank: it meant poor copy that made me wanna sob into my copywriter hands ‘cos I’d see websites set up, zero SEO + copy that just got lost in the sea of generated copy (I read a stat that 45% of the internet is now AI-generated, so says a lot…)

But what if someone was guiding AI in what exactly to create? And what if that someone was a strategic website gal, copywriter + SEO-er? Someone who’d been doing it for 10+ years, and knew what worked (+ what didn’t!).

The backstory: Realising AI isn’t the enemy to amazing web copy (or copywriting in general!)

Ok, lemme take you down memory lane for this one. The context matters. But you can skip ahead if you just want the techy details.

Over the past year(ish), one question has come up again and again:

“Aren’t you scared of AI?”

Truth? I’ve been through all the emotions. I’ve felt the fear. I’ve had a little cry. I’ve doom-Googled alternative careers (there was a cool strategic copywriter role at a big bank that nearly had me applying!). I’ve lost a few clients to AI tools. And for a while, I flat-out resisted it — “It’s not that good!” I told myself. Despite knowing that more and more of my dream clients were using it.

So eventually, I got curious. I opened up ChatGPT, started playing around… and within weeks, I was hooked.

AI didn’t *actually* come for my copywriter job.

But it did show up as a very helpful assistant — especially when it comes to helping my clients think clearly, ask better questions, and get unstuck with their messaging.

(Side note: I like to think of ChatGPT as my young, cool assistant colleague who is super smart + helpful. With a little strategic nurturing, we work together to create some incredible end results. It’s also SO good at doing all the manual ugh jobs I hate — like organising keyword data)

At this time, I was working closely with my network of trusted website designers + clients to create web copy templates that helped DIY’ers write better copy — even without a big custom budget. I saw a shift. People were using AI to DIY their sites (of course they were). But the copy often came out bland, robotic, and a bit meh. And vital considerations such as SEO were being missed, because the user wasn’t prompting ChatGPT to consider it in the first place.

It was a lot of copyediting, and I felt that if these DIY’ers had strategic AI prompt support from the start, they’d generate copy that was x1000 better. Easily.

That’s when the idea hit me:

What if I updated my web copy templates to include smart, strategic AI prompts?

Prompts written by someone who actually knows how to write website copy that converts. Someone who understands SEO. Someone who’s written hundreds of service-based sites. (Hi, that’s me.)

And that’s how my web copy templates with AI prompts were born!

So… should you use AI or a website copywriting template?

Sure, you could still go either way. There are many website copywriting templates available online — tried + tested and with fantastic results! No one can deny the power of prompting humans to get the right info out of them (never mind the robots!).

And of course, AI is just a touch of a button away. So let’s break it down and look at the pros + cons of each.

AI-only web copy

Pros:

• Fast
• Free (or very affordable)
• Helps you brainstorm and break the blank page

Cons:

• Can sound generic or robotic
• Lacks emotional pull + personality
• Doesn’t immediately understand your positioning, audience or offers
• Still needs a human to refine, edit, structure + finesse

Traditional website copy templates

Pros:

• Gives you a proven structure to follow
• Helps you ask the right questions
• Created by a human (hopefully!) who understands your industry

Cons:

• Can feel a bit static (cookie cutter vibes, especially if you’re following examples)
• You still have to come up with all the answers yourself
• May not give you enough (still got blank page vibes, but just blank boxes!)

Web copy templates with AI prompts (ahem, mine — here!)

All pros. No cons.

You could say I’m biased, but hear me out…

• Guided by a human website copywriter + SEO strategist from the very start
• Preprogramming of your AI bot before it even generates the copy (getting it to understand everything before simply spitting out copy)
• The built-in AI prompts at every stage (from hero copy to button copy) guide your ChatGPT into creating something focused on you, your business + your goals (no generic vibes!)
• Generates genuinely more customised copy at a lower price point (think an AI version of a copywriter)
• Designed to get your website written faster – and better (but with human check-in points)

You + your brain + AI + my strategic expertise = the chef’s kiss combo

Who is a web copy template for?

These web copy templates are designed for:

• Photographers
• Creatives
• Designers
• Consultants
• Service-based business owners
• Startups, side-hustlers + just-getting-going-ers

You don’t have a 4-figure budget right now for custom copy. Sure, in an ideal world, we’d all hand over the reins of every element of our business to the expert. But right now, that’s not where you’re at – and that’s okay.

Here’s the thing though: you care about your copy. You know it’s integral to a website that actually works. You want it to attract ideal clients. Be found on Google. Connect. Engage. Position yourself right where you need to be.

And you’re ready to DIY — just not totally on your own.

Who are the AI-powered web copy templates for?

These are especially for you if you’re:

• Already using AI tools in your business
• Tired of blank ChatGPT prompts + wish someone would just ask better questions
• Wanting that sweet spot between strategy + speed
• Not quite ready to outsource… but ready to elevate your web copy so your website works even harder

When is a web copy template (or AI) not enough?

There comes a point where you’re done doing certain things yourself. You’ve got bigger goals. Bigger vision. And you need someone to take the wheel when it comes to your website message, words, strategy, story + SEO.

This is when custom website copywriting is the way forward.

Recap: Which web copy service (or product) is for you?

• If you’re DIYing — go for a web copy template with AI prompts. You can shop for the full website copywriting package or more specific pages, like an about page copy template.
• If you’re seriously levelling up — take a look at a custom website copy package with me. SEO always included. Payment plans available.
• If you’re somewhere in between — there’s Template + ELEVATE my done-with-you copyediting option too. Think copywriting template but with editing + SEO-ing done by me at the end.

I hope this helped! If you need more advice about your website + SEO, drop me an enquiry. I’m always happy to pop you a message and let you know what I think is best.