2026 is one of the most challenging years to start a new business.
One of the reasons why, is how easy it is to get started.
That's a good thing, but it also lowers the barrier to starting, meaning everyone is doing it.
Take for example, the critical step of building a website.
When I started I had to teach myself HTML and then hand-code my first websites.
This took months of time.
It became easier with WordPress, but still a technical task to launch and grow a website.
Website building tools like Squarespace and Wix and many others made changing the layout easier, but you still had to sit there and design and write copy.
Today, thanks to AI coding tools you can ask the AI to both design the website and write the copy for you.
My First AI-Built Website
I've been using Replit to design a website for a new project.
I typed in plain English my idea, explained what I was selling, what content blocks I wanted on the website, then waited.
A few minutes later, my website was done.
The design was great, but what surprised me more was how good the copy was.
My idea and the benefits of what I was planning to sell, was presented with clarity and language that would have taken many hours to write and edit to refine.
I had a landing page for a new business I could immediately use.
I continued working on the website, adding new pages like an about page, help center with FAQs, terms of service and privacy policy, blog articles, client dashboard and more.
The most amazing thing about this process is how little instruction I need to give the AI to build what I want.
I explain a concept or function, and then the AI just knows how it should look and work.
I have refined the design, moved around elements, changed copy, but I use instructions like I was talking to a human web designer or copywriter and the AI does the work.
The best thing about this process is how easy and fast it is.
That again, is what makes 2026 one of the most exciting years but also potentially most challenging.
Anyone can build (almost) anything, but that doesn't mean everyone will succeed.
Now more than ever, it's the people who can combine a good idea with effective distribution that will win.
How To Succeed In An AI Powered World
The first thing you must do is use AI tools.
Go and set up a Replit account and build something.
I am 100% confident that Replit will deliver a much better website, with much better copy.
One of the common challenges I experienced as a business coach was reviewing the websites of my clients.
In almost all cases, the design and copy were not great.
With such a bad and often confusing first impression from a website, it's not surprising that they never made any sales.
The first thing we talked about on a coaching call was a complete copy and layout re-work, which unfortunately was very rarely done because they had invested so much time and energy already.
Simply the act of writing better words and changing their website design was so hard they gave up.
The great thing with AI is you just ask it to do the revision for you. If you're not sure what you want, show it examples to follow with a screenshot or URL, or ask for a ‘different take' and it will give it to you.
If you're not sure what copy to use, give it a general idea of what you want to focus on and let it write for you.
The Website Is Now Easy, But Marketing Is Still Hard
With Replit and other similar tools your website is no longer a roadblock.
However, a good website does nothing if no one ever sees it.
AI is unfortunately increasing the ‘noise' online as well.
It's easier to create articles, videos, graphics and of course — websites.
What's especially challenging is the ability of AI to create voices and digital humans.
Again this presents both an opportunity and a challenge.
You can use these tools to enhance your marketing, but everyone else is doing it too.
I believe the only way to stand out in this world is first make sure you are not left behind and use the tools yourself.
This is really just the cost of entry though.
To actually get customers you're going to need to be so contextually relevant that a certain segment of the population is compelled to listen to you (and buy from your business).
Unfortunately most of us are only going to pay attention to a very small few contextually relevant sources, which means to even have a chance you're going to have to get very clear on two things –
- Who you serve
- What problem you help them solve
Nothing new there, but it's even more important today.
The hardest part is gaining the clarity and the conviction to become the most contextually specific solution to a problem.
The good thing is you don't have to get this right from day one.
Chances are you simply can't.
You don't have enough information about your customer base yet.
That's why building a website and getting people to visit it ASAP is critical.
The sooner you learn what is not working, the closer you are to what is working.
With no website, you have no offer, so you have no feedback.
In 2026, don't let your website be the roadblock.
Yaro
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