Starting a business often requires a professional online presence, yet many new business owners struggle with website creation. Honcho, a website-building platform, is set to address this challenge by offering an AI-powered tool designed for individuals with no background in design, marketing, or coding.
Honcho’s service, which launches in the U.S. this September, allows users to create a fully functional website in less than a minute. The platform automatically generates a site with pre-filled content, industry-relevant images, and a structured layout. While competitors like Wix and Squarespace cater to users with varying levels of experience, Honcho targets business owners who need a website quickly but lack the time or skills to build one from scratch.
“Many small business owners delay launching their website because they don’t know where to start. Honcho removes those roadblocks by doing the heavy lifting for them,” said Miralda Ishkhanian, Chief Operating Officer of Honcho.
Addressing the Common Challenges of Website Creation
Small business owners often struggle with three main hurdles when setting up a website: design, content creation, and technical setup. Honcho automates these steps, reducing the complexity typically involved in website development.
Users begin by entering their business name and selecting an industry. The platform’s AI then generates a site that includes a homepage, contact form, and service descriptions. Unlike traditional website builders, which require manual input at every stage, Honcho leverages the power of AI to minimize the number of decisions users need to make. The generated content can be adjusted if necessary, but the default setup is intended to be ready for immediate use.
Technical barriers, such as domain registration and hosting, are simplified. Users can launch their site with a Honcho-provided subdomain or connect their own. Hosting is free for the first 30 days, after which a $29 monthly fee applies.
Market Growth in AI Website Development
According to industry reports, the global website-building market was valued at $8.06 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $9.43 billion by 2025. The increasing adoption of AI in web design is a key driver of this expansion.
A 2024 survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that 95% of small businesses now integrate some form of digital technology into their operations. Among them, one in four has begun using AI-based tools for website creation, content generation, and marketing.
Honcho enters this space with a specific focus on first-time business owners. The company’s research found that many entrepreneurs abandon website-building attempts midway due to frustration with design choices or technical issues. Honcho aims to keep users engaged and reduce the dropout rate by offering a near-instant website generation process.
“We’ve worked with over 800,000 small businesses and have seen firsthand how many struggles with getting online. Honcho simplifies that process so owners can focus on running their business, not troubleshooting a website,” said Ishkhanian.
Comparing Honcho to Established Competitors
Honcho’s model differs from well-known website builders in several ways. Wix and Squarespace allow extensive customization but require users to navigate design templates and content management tools. Shopify, a popular choice for e-commerce, is tailored for businesses with large product inventories rather than service-based startups.
Honcho prioritizes speed and simplicity over customization. The platform is structured to generate websites that require little to no manual intervention. While this approach may not suit businesses seeking advanced design control, it aligns with the needs of users who value convenience over complexity.
A notable feature is its AI-generated text, which provides industry-specific descriptions for services. For example, a user launching a plumbing business will receive pre-written service pages tailored to that industry. In addition, the business logo, images, and layouts are preset but can be easily modified to fit the user’s preferences. The text, logos, and designs can all be customized, eliminating the need to start from scratch.
Growth Plans and Expansion Strategy
Honcho initially tested its platform in Australia, where thousands of users have already launched websites through a prototype version. The U.S. rollout marks the company’s first step toward global expansion, with plans to introduce localized versions in other languages over time.
The company is positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to traditional website development. While professional web designers can charge upwards of $3,000 for a custom-built site, Honcho offers a no-cost entry point with only monthly hosting fees.
“Our long-term goal is to bring instant website creation to markets worldwide, making digital presence accessible to business owners everywhere,” said Ishkhanian.
With the increasing reliance on AI-driven services, Honcho’s model represents a shift toward automation in website building. Whether this approach will reshape the industry or remain a niche solution depends on adoption rates among first-time entrepreneurs. For now, Honcho is betting that simplicity will attract a new segment of business owners looking for a frictionless way to get online.
