Ditching WordPress: Building a Custom Website with AI and Google Cloud

Learn how Casey Builds It replaced WordPress with a custom-built site using Cursor AI and Google Cloud.

By Casey Builds It · YouTube Video Ak0pynSHnAI

Why did you switch from WordPress?

The creator switched from WordPress because they were relying too heavily on plugins. Building a custom website offered more flexibility and allowed for greater automation.

What tools did you use to build your custom website?

The website was built using Cursor, an AI coding assistant, and hosted on Google Cloud, specifically Google App Engine.

How long have you been using your custom website instead of WordPress?

The switch away from WordPress happened over six months before the video was created.

Can AI make custom web development faster?

Yes, AI tools like Cursor have made custom web development faster and more flexible, enabling the creation of features that would be difficult with traditional methods.

How is your website hosted?

The entire website is hosted on Google App Engine, a service offered by Google Cloud.

Do you still use WordPress plugins for your custom site?

No, the custom-built website operates without any WordPress plugins. All functionalities are built from scratch.

What kind of automation is possible with a custom website?

The creator built a YouTube automation tool that can take an uploaded video and automatically generate a description, comment, thumbnail, shorts, and publish a blog post to the website's CMS.

How do you handle website backend and databases?

The backend and database connections are managed as part of the custom build, without needing WordPress plugins.

What are the benefits of a custom-built website over WordPress?

Benefits include full customization, faster build times, and automation that can save significant time each week.

What is Cursor and how is it used in web development?

Cursor is an AI coding assistant used to help build the website. It assists in troubleshooting by allowing users to screenshot issues and get instant fixes.

What features does your custom admin dashboard have?

The custom admin dashboard includes a media library, downloadable lead-generation tools, and a build suggestions feature.

Is this video for developers, content creators, or entrepreneurs?

The video is relevant for developers, content creators, and entrepreneurs looking to streamline their workflow through custom website building and automation.

How do you troubleshoot errors when building?

The creator demonstrates troubleshooting authorization errors in real-time and using Cursor to screenshot issues for quick fixes.

What is the main takeaway from building a custom website with AI?

The main takeaway is that combining AI tools like Cursor with cloud hosting platforms like Google Cloud enables full customization, faster development, and powerful automation.

Related guides for these FAQs:

• Casey Builds It: Custom Site Cheatsheet (Cheat Sheet)
• Custom Website Development Roadmap: CaseyBuildsIt.com (Timeline)

Build your own custom website with AI and cloud power.