Adding AI to Your Site
Taking a website you already have and layering AI into it, using the simplest architecture that works.
This section is about taking a website you already have and layering AI into it. Not rebuilding from scratch. Adding intelligence where it earns its keep, using the simplest architecture that works.
You do not need a complex stack
The architecture that works for most builders: (1) Static frontend, (2) Serverless function, (3) AI API. Three layers. You can have a working AI feature in an afternoon.
If you can build a contact form, you can build an AI feature. The pattern is identical: user fills out a form, JavaScript sends a fetch request to your serverless function, the function processes it and returns a result. The only difference is that your function calls an AI API instead of sending an email.
High-value integration patterns
- Personalized analysis. User inputs their situation, AI applies your frameworks to give a tailored answer.
- Interactive tools. Graders, reviewers, auditors. User pastes their work, AI evaluates against your criteria.
- Guided exploration. User describes their situation and gets pointed to exactly the right content.
The knowledge layer
Three ways to give your AI context, simplest first: (1) Hardcoded context in the system prompt, (2) File-based context loading at request time, (3) Full RAG pipeline. Start with 1 or 2.
Set spending limits on your API accounts before you launch any public-facing AI feature. Use the cost calculator to estimate costs per user.