I’ve been spending a lot of time lately learning tools like WordPress, Astra, and Elementor.
And I want to be clear about something upfront:
This isn’t because I don’t like AI tools.
I do. I think they’re incredible. And I can access them through the tools I’m using.
I’ll be using them, experimenting with them, and in many cases recommending them—especially when they make things faster, easier, or more effective.
But at the same time, I’ve made a deliberate decision:
I want a foundation I understand… and can move if I need to.
What AI Tools Do Really Well
There are some impressive tools out there right now.
You can:
- Generate pages
- Spin up simple sites
- Create content and layouts quickly
In some cases, you can describe what you want, and something usable appears almost instantly.
That’s powerful.
And I fully expect to use tools like that where they make sense.
How I’m Actually Using AI (Not Avoiding It)
One thing worth clarifying:
I’m not choosing WordPress instead of AI.
I’m using AI on top of WordPress.
For example:
- Astra is a fast, lightweight theme—but its ecosystem now includes AI-powered starter sites
- Elementor (which I use) has built-in AI for content, layouts, and even code
- WordPress supports a growing number of AI tools and plugins
So the stack I’m using looks like this:
- WordPress gives me control, ownership, and a solid foundation
- Astra + Elementor help me build exactly what I want
- AI tools help me create and refine content quickly
That combination gives me the best of both worlds.
AI helps me move faster.
WordPress helps me stay in control.
I Don’t Want to Be Locked In
Let’s say I used a tool like Base44 or Lovable to build my site.
What happens if I want to move it somewhere else?
Personally, I’d be stuck—and I’d probably need to hire help.
Why?
Because there’s a kind of “prison of convenience” when you rely on all-in-one platforms.
Here’s the reality:
- Platform Lock-in: You often only get frontend code when exporting—meaning you must rebuild backend systems elsewhere
- Proprietary structures: The code may not transfer cleanly outside the platform
- Technical gap: Moving requires knowledge of GitHub, databases, hosting platforms, and deployment tools
I’ve proven to myself I can learn what I need to.
But I’m not interested in taking on all of that.
Why WordPress Still Makes Sense to Me
This is where WordPress really stands out.
Yes, it has a learning curve.
But once you understand the basics, you gain control and portability.
If I build a site with WordPress:
- I can move it from one host to another
- I don’t have to rebuild everything from scratch
- I’m not locked into a single platform
That matters to me.
Is WordPress Easy at First?
Heck no. I’ve had to stick with it.
But choosing well-established tools like Astra, Elementor, and a solid host (I use Hostinger) makes a big difference.
There’s a huge ecosystem of tutorials and support—including AI.
Sometimes you have to poke around, try things, and piece together insights before you get that “Aha!” moment.
And if I find others want to build something similar—and want a clear, methodical guide—I’ll make myself available.
Where I’m Heading With This
As I continue building, I’ll be sharing:
- Tools that make things easier
- Approaches that give you more control
Because I don’t think we need to choose one or the other.
We can take advantage of what’s new…
Without giving up what keeps us independent.