Can Replit Replace Your Web Designer? My Honest Take After Arlan Hamilton’s AI Webinar
Yesterday, I joined a live webinar hosted by Arlan Hamilton on how to build your own landing page using Replit—an AI-powered assistant that’s primarily used for building apps. But for the sake of this blog post, I’ll be sharing my experience using it to create a landing page.
Now, I’m not someone who’s afraid of AI “taking my job.” I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing tools like ChatGPT can be. They haven’t replaced me—but they’ve made me way more productive. That means more time for the things I actually love: surfing, reading, traveling, and moving my body outdoors.
Still, I’d be lying if I said I don’t worry about staying relevant in a fast-changing digital world. First it was writers and content creators, now it’s web designers and developers getting a run for their money.
So, I decided to test it out for myself.
After following Arlan’s special prompt and feeding it into Replit, I had a functioning landing page in under 10 minutes.
Here’s My Honest Review of Replit as a Web Design Tool
1. Replit is a tool, not a designer.
Yes, it generates code. Yes, it builds a working website. But it still needs direction. You need solid prompts (which you could get from ChatGPT or a copywriter), and you need a basic eye for design. Otherwise, you’ll get something…meh.
2. The output was underwhelming.
The landing page Replit built for me was functional, but it lacked aesthetic appeal and polish. I wouldn’t feel confident attaching my name to it without some serious upgrades.
3. It's not drag-and-drop friendly (like Squarespace)
You can’t easily update the page yourself. Instead of clicking to edit text or swap images, you have to talk to the AI, like giving instructions to a freelancer. That might work for some folks, but I found it clunky. Ideally, you’d have both options.
4. It’s budget-friendly—but not necessarily launch-ready.
Sure, it’s cheaper than hiring a professional—and less of a headache than DIY-ing from scratch—but the final product isn’t quite “publish and go.” At least not for brands that care about design, user experience, and conversions.
Final Thoughts: Is Replit good for conscious entrepreneurs?
If you’re a purpose-driven business owner looking to test an idea, validate a service, or build a very simple landing page—it might be worth a try.
But if you want your online presence to actually reflect your energy, values, and brand—I’d still recommend working with a human. At least to guide the process.
Curious about how to build a website that actually works for you—without getting lost in the tech? See below.
Book a $47 Website Woes Call
Overwhelmed by platforms like Replit? Not sure if you should DIY, delegate, or ditch the whole thing? Let’s chat. In 45 minutes, I’ll help you cut through the noise and figure out the simplest path forward—whether that’s building your own landing page, hiring help, or finding the right tools to support your vision.
✨ Zero jargon. Zero pressure. Just honest advice from a real human with lived experience.
How ChatGPT Helped Me Fix My Confusing Website Messaging (and Why It Can Help You Too)
*image created with OpenArt.ai
Lately, I’ve been feeling the need to update the SEO on my website.
I used to have a clear site description that was location-based, targeting Berlin-based entrepreneurs who needed help with their Squarespace websites. It was a pretty niche market, but it brought in a steady stream of organic traffic—warm leads who found me through Google searches. I’d typically get 1-4 inquiries per month, and about half of those leads became paying clients. Not bad!
However, things have changed. I’ve moved away from Berlin, expanded my services to include AI tutorials, and now work with platforms beyond Squarespace. I’ve also launched a new Substack newsletter where I share tips (and occasional tribulations) about living an alternative lifestyle outside the matrix.
But here’s the catch—my website blog is still a bit all over the place. Some posts focus on Squarespace and content marketing, while others dive into living life on your own terms. My top keywords happen to be:
- How to figure out what you want in life
- Self work
- What do I want in life
- What do you want in life answer
Notice anything? None of these keywords are directly tied to my web design and marketing services—aka how I make my living. The goal of any website is to get ranked by Google for your specific offerings, attract clients, and make money to pay the bills. But that’s not going to happen if I’m being ranked for keywords unrelated to my services. See my dilemma?
Here’s the thing—I never wanted my website to be solely dedicated to Squarespace, for example. Let’s face it - that would be SO boring! Sure, focusing purely on Squarespace content might please Google’s algorithm, and maybe after years of content, I’d land on the first page of search results, ensuring a steady flow of clients—so long as Squarespace remains relevant. But at what cost to my creativity? I’d be bored out of my mind.
So, to make a long story short (and get to the point), I turned to ChatGPT for help with this website conundrum. Here’s the exact prompt I put in:
"I need help. I have a website that features my offerings—web design, content marketing strategy—which is how I make money. But I also have a blog where I talk about living an alternative life, going against the status quo, and living life on your own terms. My target market is soulpreneurs and nonprofits, and I now offer tutorials on amplifying content marketing with AI. I feel like the messaging is confusing. My top keywords are: how to figure out what you want in life, self work, what do I want in life, what do you want in life answer."
And let me tell you, ChatGPT delivered. It suggested a new homepage headline: “Empowering Soulpreneurs & Nonprofits to Amplify Their Impact Online” and offered tips on integrating my keywords into future blog posts, like:
- “How to figure out what you want in life and apply it to your business”
- “Self-work for soulpreneurs: Building a life and business that align with your purpose”
The moral of the story: ChatGPT helped me connect the dots. I was ready to throw in the towel and start over, but with a few simple tweaks, I realized I could tie everything together without rebuilding from scratch. *Wipes sweat from brow*
ChatGPT is a TOOL, one that can help you strategize, edit, and create. Treat it like a friend, and you’ll be surprised by how helpful it can be in your creative process.
Need help getting started with Chat GPT? Reach out here for a one-hour tutoring session, where we’ll deep dive into your business, and I’ll show you how to maximize your impact using ChatGPT and other free AI tools.
ChatGPT for Writers: Ethical Dilemma or Game-Changer?
A writer friend recently asked me, “Don’t you think using ChatGPT is cheating?”
I get where she’s coming from—I’ve had similar thoughts. But I no longer feel guilty about using AI (with discretion) as a content creator and writer, and here’s why…
People with money or connections have been using those advantages to get their messages out for centuries—sometimes even spreading hate or fear. Ghostwriters have been around forever (and likely getting severely underpaid). Famous male authors used to rely on their female partners to help them write, only to take all the credit. Today, your ideas can be heard, but only if you can afford a writing coach, PR team, and editor or if you have the cash to buy followers so a publishing house takes you seriously. The system is rigged, and I’m tired of the gatekeeping that the publishing industry holds so tightly.
AI is leveling the playing field. It gives artists and creators access to tools that were once only available to the lucky or the elite. If you don’t use it, someone else will—maybe even to spread misinformation or hateful ideas. Not using AI won’t make it disappear. It will just ensure that your ideas and experiences stay in the dark. And that would be a real shame.
I love that National Novel Writing Month recently embraced AI in a positive light in WIRED Magazine. I, too, believe AI can help break down the gatekeeping in the art and publishing worlds.
—> Read the WIRED article here
—> Head here to read 3 Benefits and 3 Limitations to Using Chat GPT
As an artist, it’s never really been 100% about *what* you create—bu about *who* you know and *how much* money you have. Expensive software, materials, marketing, editors, ghostwriters, conferences, producers… it all adds up. Like many artists and writers, I’ve faced countless challenges. These days, a publishing house or agent won’t even look at a new writer unless they already have a massive social media following. Professional editors and writing coaches I’ve contacted have quoted me thousands of dollars to review a manuscript or guide my project. The same happened when I approached illustrators for my oracle deck.
A lot of artists are up in arms about AI in the creative space, but honestly, I see it as a tool—a tool that helps elevate creative ideas in a way that money and connections have always done for the famous.
So, if you don’t want to use AI for your creative work, that’s totally fine. But please step aside for those of us who can’t afford to spend $10,000+ on a ghostwriter, editor, or PR specialist to get our message out.
And to all the women, queer folk, and BIPOC creators out there—please, please, please enlist the help of AI to share your experiences with a broader audience! I’m tired of reading history only through the lens of privileged white men who have the resources to buy their way into the conversation. It’s time for new voices to be heard.
If you’re not already using AI in your small business, you’re missing out on the chance to expand your reach and elevate your impact at little to no cost. Want to learn how to use AI to boost your business authentically? Head here to learn more about my exclusive offering, a Content Marketing Training Session for Heart-Centered Leaders who want to learn how to harness the power of AI to elevate their conscious business effortlessly.
3 Limitations and 3 Benefits of Using ChatGPT
I recently shared a post where I talked about my three favorite AI tools that are helping me elevate my output and magnify my impact. My most used of these tools is ChatGPT. For those writers who might have hesitations about AI, I’m hoping this post eliminates some of the apprehension you have and encourages you to try it out because, at least not as of yet, ChatGPT is not a job stealer, a secret spy, or a grand threat - it’s a polite tool that can help you overcome writer’s block, get inspiration, formulate strategy, craft SEO friendly blog posts, and write comprehensive conclusions (I HATE writing conclusions.)
In this post, I want to share some of the platform's limitations as well as its benefits. Instead of hiding your head under a pillow and hoping it will all go away, I recommend jumping in and trying out the platform for yourself because while AI may not be taking anyone’s job soon, it will soon take the jobs of those who don’t learn how to use AI to maximize their output.
3 Limitations of Using ChatGPT
#1 It’s not funny…yet.
If you want your copy to be informative, you’ll be ok with an AI content writer, but if you want it to be sharp-witted and knock your socks off funny, it just isn’t there. You’d be better off hiring a self-deprecating millennial or a harshly honest Gen Z to deliver relatable quips.
#2 It’s not always factual.
I’ve found that AI sometimes lies, especially when quoting famous people or identifying book excerpts. I’m sure it also gets other statistics wrong. Again, you can use AI to help you set a structure for your writing and overcome writer’s block but don’t trust it to deliver accurate info, especially if you are a health professional. You’ll still need a savvy human researcher or professional to fact-check and edit.
#3 It’s easy.
This is a plus side because it can save you a lot of time, but I’ve found that when I am not in the mood to write something I am very capable of, I will sometimes use ChatGPT to help me. In other words, it’s easy to rely too much and become dependent on it. Again, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but once you start using AI to help you write content, you will begin to recognize others who use it, too, because it will sound very formulaic. Creativity is not its strong suit yet, so make sure you or someone on your team adds some flair, humanness, and relatability.
3 Benefits of Using ChatGPT
#1 It’s free (for now).
There are premium services and upgrades, but ChatGPT currently offers a basic plan that is free to use. They have recently implemented a limit on how many searches you can make per day, but I rarely ever reach the limit. And if I do, it’s usually because I am procrastinating on something important and just seeing how far I can go down the rabbit hole. That means if you master AI, you can save a TON of money on content marketing services.
#2 Time freedom.
Entrepreneurs often have the highest of aspirations. They expect not only to understand and master every aspect of their business but also to be high-income earners overnight, loving and adoring partners, friends, parents, and citizens, and physically and mentally in tip-top shape. It’s an unattainable goal, especially if you are starting, which means you will likely be lacking in a few areas of your life. Though creating content is my wheelhouse, implementing AI has freed up so much of my time that I can brainstorm for future business endeavors or spend time with people I love doing things that light me up. It’s funny when people complain that AI is making art, which wasn’t the future they hoped for, but I’ve had a different experience. Implementing AI has allowed me to spend more time crafting my art - I am currently illustrating an oracle deck I wrote a few years ago with the help of AI because I couldn’t find a human illustrator that was interested in helping me navigate the project, or they just straight up never emailed me back. AI, on the other hand, is always eager to help.
#3 More value added to the world.
If you are reading this, you are probably already a conscious business owner, nonprofit organizer, healer, or aspiring to be. You have likely dedicated your life to helping others but are struggling to make ends meet or stay on top of your business.
In conclusion (yes, I used ChatGPT to help me write this conclusion, LOL), while AI tools like ChatGPT may have their limitations, such as lacking humor, occasionally providing inaccurate information, and the potential for overreliance, they offer significant benefits that can elevate your work and free up your time. As entrepreneurs, creators, or professionals dedicated to making a positive impact, mastering AI can be a game-changer. It can save you money, provide valuable time freedom, and ultimately help you add more value to the world. The key is to approach these tools with an open mind and a balanced perspective, using them to supplement your creativity and expertise rather than a replacement. By doing so, you’ll keep pace with the evolving landscape and ensure you’re using AI to its fullest potential—enhancing your work while maintaining your unique human touch.
***I couldn’t have said it better myself, ChatGPT. Thank you for your thoughtful contribution :)
Want to learn how to amplify your impact with the help of ChatGPT and other AI tools? Book a one hour session with me where we will deep dive into your business and I’ll show you exactly how to create content effortlessly. More details can be found here.
3 AI Tools I'm Loving Right Now
Lately, much shade is being thrown at AI and content creators who use AI, but I’m here to be a contrarian. AI has the potential to offer business owners (especially my fellow soul-preneurs) - alternative, easy, and budget-friendly ways to amplify their impact.
The following AI platforms have transformed how I approach my client work as well as my passion projects, whether for illustration, writing, or video creation. Let me share the AI tools I’m loving lately and how they help me create more freely and efficiently.
#1 OpenArt.ai: A Game-Changer for My Illustrations - $75/ year subscription, 5000 credits/ month
When my publisher Rio Nuevo shut their doors, I found myself in a bind. My upcoming project, a Desert Animal Oracle Deck, was on hold, and I was scrambling to find a new illustrator. My initial thought was to reconnect with my previous illustrator, but her quote was well beyond my budget. Not only that, but she also failed to respond to my inquiries about the timeline, leaving me in the lurch. I contacted other illustrators, but the responses were delayed or inconsistent, and the time was ticking.
That’s when I discovered OpenArt.ai. Desperate for a solution, I explored the world of AI-generated art. I taught myself how to create AI art using this tool, and the results were terrific. OpenArt.ai has allowed me to produce high-quality illustrations without the headaches and delays of finding a traditional artist.
Using OpenArt.ai and Canva, I’ve crafted stunning visuals that perfectly capture desert wildlife's mystical and serene essence. The best part? I can tweak and refine the art as I see fit, ensuring that the final product aligns perfectly with my vision and that I don’t need to spend much money on it. Here are some sample cards….SNEAK PEEK…Shhhhhhh!
#2 ChatGPT: My Go-To Writing Assistant, FREE
Regarding AI chatbots, I must admit that I haven’t experimented much with the plethora of options available. Why? Because ChatGPT has everything I need. As a writer, the ability to brainstorm ideas, generate content, and even refine my work in real-time has been invaluable.
Whether drafting blog post ideas, developing content strategies, or polishing my rough drafts, ChatGPT has proven an indispensable tool in my creative arsenal. The ease with which I can communicate with the AI and get meaningful responses makes it feel like I have a dedicated writing assistant at my fingertips.
The versatility of ChatGPT is what sets it apart for me. It’s not just about generating text—it’s about the collaborative process that makes my writing more dynamic. I can ask for suggestions, get feedback, and even ask AI to tweak content based on my target audience. This level of interaction has taken my writing to new heights, allowing me to experiment and push boundaries in ways I hadn’t considered before.
#3 InVideo: Bringing My Words to Life Through Video, FREE or $20/month
As a writer, I’ve always been intrigued by bringing my stories and ideas to life through video. However, the technical aspects of video creation always seemed daunting—until I discovered InVideo. This AI-powered video creator has become my latest obsession, enabling me to quickly transform my writing into engaging visual content.
InVideo offers a range of templates and customization options that make video creation accessible, even for someone like me with little experience in the field. I’ve started experimenting with creating promotional videos for my writing projects, and the results have been spectacular. The platform allows me to integrate my text with images, animations, and music, creating a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with my audience.
One of the things I love most about InVideo is its user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be intuitive, so I don’t have to spend hours learning how to use it. Instead, I can focus on the creative process, experimenting with different elements until I achieve the desired effect. Whether it’s a book trailer, a promotional clip, or just a fun visual experiment, InVideo has become an essential tool in my creative toolkit. Here’s a video I had fun making last night - I used text from a project I am working on about Exiting the Matrix. Not bad for a newb!
Embracing the Future of Creativity
AI is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s a tangible resource revolutionizing how we create. Tools like OpenArt.ai, ChatGPT, and InVideo have empowered me to take control of my projects, allowing me to produce high-quality work without the usual hurdles. By integrating AI into my creative process, I’ve explored new mediums, experimented with innovative ideas, and brought my visions to life with unprecedented ease.
If you’re a creative professional looking to expand your toolkit or a business owner seeking to amplify your purpose, I highly recommend these AI tools. Whether you want to create stunning visuals, enhance your writing, or delve into video production, an AI solution can help you achieve your goals. The future of creativity is here, and it’s more exciting than ever.
And yes - I did enlist AI's help to write this blog post :)
Want to know more about how to use AI to amplify your impact? I’m currently offering a $77 one-hour Zoom session where you and I will dive deep into the inner workings of your business. During the session, you will learn how to create engaging, authentic content that resonates with your audience, saves time AND aligns your message with your mission. More details here.
My Cousin Recently Asked Me How to Get Started Freelancing, Here Was My Response
My cousin recently messaged me asking for help with her Upwork profile. She wanted to give freelancing a shot after working in customer service and the food industry for 10+ years.
I have spoken before about how much I dislike these Freelancer sites because I find them exploitative. In my experience, the best way to get started as a freelancer is by tapping into your local community. Below, I go into depth about the actions I would take if I wanted to get started as a freelancer (and was my actual response to her as well.) Hope it helps!
Tbh, I don’t recommend Upwork or any of those freelance sites. The reason is that you’ll be competing with people who have been on the site for ages and have tons of reviews, etc., or people who live in India and can afford to charge nothing.
I think it’s better to start with your inner network first.
First, though you’ll have to establish a product or service
I recommend reading 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris and 100 Side Hustles. Between the two you should be able to come up with an offering. If you’re still unsure, ask your loved ones what they think you’re good at.
Once you have an offering, you’ll need an online portfolio, this will depend on your offering. Could be as simple as an Instagram or website or Facebook page. You’ll need to put a few case studies on there which means you’ll need to work for free or cheap in the beginning. For example, if your offering is designing meal plans for busy moms, you’ll need to offer your services to 3 or so moms for free or very cheap, in exchange for feedback and reviews.
Reviews are VERY important!! Best is to register as a business on Google Business. And then you can send the Google link to your clients and ask for a review.
Once you have a few case studies/online portfolio ad reviews, you can start marketing. I would start marketing to groups you already belong to. Like if you go to a particular yoga studio you can ask to leave some flyers there. You can also offer to co-host events to further establish your credibility.
There are other Bootstrappy ways you can promote your biz but TBH the things that work for me are
1. Google reviews, cannot stress this enough.
2. Website where I update at least twice a month with industry-related blog posts.
3. Light LinkedIn posting (1-2 times a week)
I’ve never had to spend money on advertising or promoting myself. People find me organically through Google searches and/or word of mouth. But that takes time to build…content marketing is not an instant gratification method haha there are other ways to grow faster though (ex. such as hosting community events, and having an ad budget)
The last thing I will say is to use ChatGPT to help you write content for your site or promo materials. No need to reinvent the wheel ❤️
Anything else you’d like to know about getting started freelancing and/or bootstrapping a business? Get in touch!
How AI Can Help You Write Content Faster
Recently, I had lunch with a video editor friend of mine and we started joking about how AI is going to eventually take over the world. That’s when he looked me in the eye and said very earnestly, “Nicole, they are coming after content marketers first.”
At first, I laughed. But then when he began explaining how sophisticated AI was at creating content my ears perked up. I went home after our meeting and began playing around with ChatGPT.
I quickly realized that AI may certainly be a helpful tool, but robots aren't here to take my job away — at least not yet. What they are here to do, however, is help me do my job better and more efficiently! AI technology is the perfect assistant for content marketers like me, taking some of the gruntwork out of creating great content.
No longer does a marketer need to spend hours sorting through data or researching topics; robots can quickly and accurately handle those tasks for me. AI robots can also generate ideas for content and even write drafts that require minimal editing from their human counterparts. This frees up time for more important tasks like analyzing analytics or brainstorming creative strategies — tasks robots aren't able to do (yet.) AI is also quite shit at creative writing and is not very funny.
But for creating content — it’s AWESOME! For example, I was recently able to write 4 - 800 word blog posts for a movement facilitator client in just under 4 hours. That same task would have taken me at least twice as long without AI assistance.
So - if you are a content marketer, rest assured, the bots are not going to take your job, but they will take the jobs of content marketers who refuse to use the power of AI. If you haven’t already, it would be wise to start learning how to use AI. And if you are a conscious business owner hoping to boost your SEO and bring in more organic traffic from the web, get in touch so I offer an AI Coaching Session where I show you how to use the power of AI to help create authentic, relatable, and effective content for your business in no time.
Happy Robot-ing.