When I decided to revamp my personal brand website, I had one goal: create something that looks like it took months but could be done in days. The answer was a combination of WordPress, a custom theme, and AI tools woven into every step of the process.
Why WordPress — Still?
In an era of Webflow, Framer, and no-code builders, WordPress might seem like a relic. But for anyone serious about content, SEO, and long-term ownership of their platform, WordPress remains the gold standard. I own my content, my data, and my code.
The Design System First
Before touching a single plugin, I defined my design tokens: a clean white and #F5F5F7 gray palette inspired by Apple.com, an indigo accent (#6366F1), and Inter as my sole typeface. Everything flows from these four decisions.
Using AI to Speed Up Development
I used Claude to generate the initial HTML/CSS structure, then refined it to match my exact vision. What would have taken two weeks of back-and-forth with a designer took two days. AI didn’t replace my judgment — it removed the friction.
The Result
A fast, beautiful, fully custom WordPress theme that I own 100%. No page builder lock-in, no monthly fees, no bloat. Just clean PHP templates, a single CSS file, and a sprinkle of vanilla JavaScript.
If you’re thinking about building your own brand site, start with your design tokens. Everything else follows.
