Key Takeaways
- AI search is stealing website traffic – requires new trust-building strategies before visitors even reach your website
- Interactive AI clones – outperform static lead magnets by providing personalized, real-time value
- Warmer traffic changes everything – visitors arriving from social media need different conversion strategies
After writing my 333-page Next Level Website Design – Book, I uploaded the entire thing to a custom GPT and created this”Interactive AI Author“, a chatbot that can answer questions about the book’s content. I was pretty proud of it. Put some guardrails around it, promoted it to my email list, and waited for the magic to happen.
Then I got an email from Joe Fier.
Joe didn’t just compliment the idea. He sent me a video showing how he could extract the rules I’d put around my custom GPT – the very guardrails I thought were protecting it. His message was friendly but direct: “That’s great, but there are some issues with it. What if I could show you a better way?”
That “better way” was Delphi – and it’s completely transformed how we generate leads at Studio1 Design.
From Custom GPT to Delphi’s AI Clone
When Joe showed me what Delphi could do, I immediately saw the difference.
Custom GPTs have limitations:
- Only text-based interactions (no voice)
- Limited training data formats (mainly text files)
- Pulls from ChatGPT’s general knowledge, which can contradict your methodology
- Users need a ChatGPT account
- No real control over the conversation guardrails
- Can’t be fully embedded on your site
Delphi solved all of that:
- Voice AND text chat – I uploaded my entire audiobook, so people can have an actual voice conversation with me
- Multiple training formats – transcripts from client calls, blog posts, the full book, service descriptions, FAQs, case studies
- Strict guardrails – it ONLY uses my content, not general AI knowledge, so it always aligns with my methodology
- Fully embeddable – it lives right on our website at studio1design.com/ai
- No login required – visitors can start chatting immediately
- Better personalization – it remembers context throughout the conversation
The result? People landing on our website can now have an actual conversation with me – in my voice, using my knowledge – without me being there.
How We’re Using Delphi as Our Primary Lead Magnet
After testing it as a chat bubble (which wasn’t visible enough), we took Joe’s advice and made it a full dedicated page: Studio1Design.com/ai – Where you can have a conversation with AI Greg and see what this experience feels like from your visitors’ perspective.
Here’s how it works as our conversion engine:
1. Instant Website Audits
Visitors can paste their website copy or describe their site, and my AI clone reviews it using the exact framework from my book – the five core principles of conversion-focused design. It identifies:
- Clarity problems (confusing messaging)
- Value proposition issues (generic benefits)
- Design hierarchy problems (competing CTAs)
- Trust deficits (missing social proof)
- Lead magnet opportunities (with specific suggestions)
2. Personalized Strategy Advice
Instead of reading 333 pages to find the answer to their specific question, they can ask things like:
- “What lead magnet would work best for a B2B SaaS company?”
- “How should I structure my home page if most visitors come from LinkedIn?”
- “Should I redesign my entire site or just fix specific pages?”
The AI responds with my methodology, my frameworks, and recommendations based on 2,000+ website projects.
3. Voice Conversations
This is the game-changer. People can click the phone icon and have an actual voice conversation with AI Greg. They hear my Australian accent, my conversational tone, my way of explaining things – while getting personalized answers to their website challenges.
This builds trust at a level no PDF ever could.
4. Natural Path to Conversion
At the end of every conversation, the AI naturally guides people to our main call-to-action: booking a free video audit of their website. It’s not pushy – it’s the logical next step after they’ve received value and built trust through the conversation.
The Results (So Far)
Full transparency: We launched this pretty recently, so we’re still in early-stage testing. But we’re already seeing engagement that beats any lead magnet we’ve used before.
People are having real conversations:
- Asking follow-up questions
- Diving deep into specific challenges
- Requesting website reviews
- Booking strategy calls
The key difference? They arrive on our website already feeling like they know us, thanks to the interactive experience.
Why Every Business Should Consider an AI Clone
You don’t need a book to make this work. You don’t need a podcast with millions of downloads like Joe has.
Here’s what you do need:
- Your unique expertise captured in some form (blog posts, transcripts, training videos, case studies)
- A clear methodology you want people to understand
- Lead magnet content that currently lives in PDFs, emails, or workshops
Then you can create an AI clone that:
- Answers questions 24/7 (your time is leveraged)
- Provides immediate value (builds trust fast)
- Personalizes the experience (speaks to specific situations)
- Demonstrates your authority (shows you know your stuff)
- Guides people to the next step (natural conversion path)
This works for:
- Consultants who field the same questions repeatedly
- Coaches with established methodologies
- Agencies wanting to qualify leads before calls
- Service businesses needing to build trust before expensive engagements
- E-commerce brands answering product questions
- SaaS companies providing interactive support
The Technical Reality: AI Isn’t Ready to Build Your Full Site (Yet)
Look, I test every new AI coding tool that comes out. We use Replit, Cursor, Lovable – all the vibe coding platforms. They’re incredible for building interactive lead magnets and tools.
But here’s the truth: If you want a custom, conversion-optimized website that stands out, AI alone won’t get you there.
We design every client site in Figma first – custom layouts, strategic hierarchy, brand-specific visuals. Then we try importing those designs into AI coding tools. Even though they claim they can do it, the results are… not great. Maybe 60-70% there at best.
You still need a developer to:
- Refine the code
- Handle the complex interactions
- Connect third-party services
- Optimize for performance
- Ensure mobile responsiveness actually works
But that 60-70% savings? That’s still massive. And I’m eagerly waiting for the day when we can go from Figma → AI → live site with zero developer intervention.
For now, AI excels at creating interactive tools, lead magnets, calculators, quizzes – the experiences that engage people and build trust. And that’s exactly what lead magnets should do.
The Bigger Picture: Website Design in the AI Era
After designing 2,000+ websites since the year 2000, I’ve watched this industry evolve radically. But the last 18 months? That’s been the most dramatic shift I’ve ever seen.
Here’s what’s changed:
Traffic Sources
- AI search is filtering traffic before it reaches your site
- Social media builds trust before the website visit
- Reddit and community platforms drive warm referrals
- LinkedIn has become essential for B2B service businesses
Trust Building
- Less copy needed if traffic is warm (they already know you)
- More copy needed if traffic is cold (they’ve never heard of you)
- Personal brand + business brand = new authority formula
- Interactive experiences beat static content
Conversion Strategy
- Lead with value first (always)
- Segment pathways for cold vs. warm vs. hot traffic
- Multiple lead magnets for different audience segments
- Dynamic testing beats “set it and forget it”
The AI Advantage (and Limitation)
- AI can research your competitors brilliantly (use ChatGPT’s deep research)
- AI can analyze your testimonials to find your unique positioning
- AI can help create blog content (but add your personality on top)
- AI cannot (yet) design uniquely positioned, conversion-focused websites that stand out
The Five Core Principles (That AI Can’t Replace)
Whether you’re using AI tools, hiring an agency, or DIYing your site, these five principles from my book remain essential:
1. Understand Your Audience
Really know them. Their challenges, their language, why they choose you, why they don’t, and what they experienced with competitors. Use AI for deep research, read your testimonials, and survey your best clients.
2. Brand Positioning
Zig where your competitors zag. Find your unique angle. Sometimes it’s hidden in your customer testimonials – AI can help extract patterns you’re too close to see.
3. Marketing Strategy
Are visitors cold, warm, or hot when they land on your site? Create different pathways for each. Test lead magnets. Build funnels that match your audience’s journey. Your strategy should be dynamic, not static.
4. Psychological Influences
People buy on emotion, justify with logic. Use copy that speaks to pain points. Showcase authority and back it up with social proof. Remove friction. Eliminate leakage points. Create scarcity when appropriate.
5. Conversion-Focused Design
Strategic design that appeals to your target audience. Right visual hierarchy. High-impact CTAs. Mobile-responsive. Fast loading. All working together to guide people toward the action you want them to take.
Your Website Is Never Finished
This is the final chapter in my book, and it’s the most important mindset shift: Your website is never finished.
Even with 20+ years of experience and thousands of websites under our belt, we don’t know exactly how your audience will respond to your new website until it’s live and we’re monitoring user behavior.
That’s why we use Microsoft Clarity on every client site (it’s 100% free, by the way). This tool:
- Records every user session (video of how people navigate your site)
- Creates heat maps (where people click, how far they scroll)
- Uses AI to summarize user behavior patterns
- Integrates with Google Analytics for complete data
You pair that data with:
- Form submissions
- Email campaign metrics
- Sales data from your funnel
- Customer feedback
Then you constantly test and improve. Month after month. Your audience evolves. Your competitors change. Your offers develop. Your website needs to adapt to all of it.
And guess what works great for website content creation? Your Delphi AI clone. It can help outline posts using your voice and knowledge – then you add your fresh perspective on top.
Ready to Try This for Yourself?
Here’s what I recommend:
First: Test My AI Clone
Go to Studio1Design.com/ai and have a conversation with AI Greg. Ask it to:
- Review your website copy
- Suggest lead magnet ideas for your business
- Explain specific principles from the book
- Give you a conversion audit
You’ll see immediately how different this experience is from reading a blog post or downloading a PDF.
Second: Consider Your Own AI Clone
If you’re thinking this could work for your business, I’ve got good news: I can connect you directly with Joe Fier’s team over at aiBuildTeam.ai. They specialize in creating these AI clones for businesses just like yours.
You don’t need:
- A 333-page book (though it helps!)
- Millions of podcast downloads
- Years of content
You just need expertise worth sharing and a desire to build trust at scale.
Third: If You Need Website Help
Whether you’re considering an AI clone, need a conversion-focused redesign, or want to optimize what you already have – that’s literally what we do at Studio1 Design.
Book a free strategy call and we’ll review your website, identify the biggest conversion opportunities, and show you exactly what could change. No pressure, just honest feedback from a team that’s designed 2,000+ websites.
The Bottom Line
AI is changing everything about how websites work. Traffic sources are shifting. Trust-building is happening before the website visit. Static content is losing effectiveness.
But the fundamentals remain: People buy from people they trust.
An interactive AI clone lets you build that trust at scale, providing personalized value to every visitor, 24/7, in your voice, using your methodology – without you being there.
It’s not about replacing human connection. It’s about extending your ability to connect with people who need your help.
After testing this for the past few months, I’m convinced this is the future of lead generation. Not for every business, but for any business where trust and expertise matter.
The question is: Will you wait for your competitors to figure this out first?
Ready to explore how an AI clone could work for your business?
Book a free strategy call and I’ll personally show you what’s possible – and if it’s the right fit, I’ll introduce you to Joe’s team at aiBuildTeam.ai to get you started.
Watch the full interview below or listen on the Hustle & Flowchart podcast, where Joe & I dive even deeper into website conversion strategy, AI tools, and what’s working in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a book or a podcast to create an AI clone?
Not at all. You need captured expertise – which could be blog posts, video transcripts, case studies, client call recordings, training materials, or even detailed documentation of your methodology. If you can articulate what makes you different and how you help people, you have enough content.
How is this different from a chatbot?
Traditional chatbots follow decision trees and scripts. AI clones use your actual knowledge to have dynamic, personalized conversations. They can answer questions you’ve never been asked before, based on principles and frameworks you’ve taught them. Plus, with tools like Delphi, they can speak in your actual voice.
Won’t people prefer talking to a real human?
Eventually, yes – and that’s the point. The AI clone qualifies people, builds trust, and provides immediate value. By the time they’re ready to talk to a human (you or your team), they’re warm, educated, and often ready to buy. It’s not replacing human connection; it’s making your human connection more valuable.
What if the AI gives wrong information?
This is why Delphi’s approach is superior to general AI. It only uses your content – it doesn’t pull from the broader internet or make assumptions. You control exactly what knowledge it has access to. That said, you should test it thoroughly before going live and update it as your methodology evolves.
How much does this cost?
Delphi offers different pricing tiers depending on usage and features. The investment typically ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year. When you compare that to the cost of hiring someone to answer the same questions repeatedly, or the revenue lost from visitors who leave without engaging, it’s remarkably cost-effective.
Can I use this for customer support too?
Absolutely. Many businesses use AI clones both for pre-sale education (lead generation) and post-sale support (customer service). You can even create multiple versions – one for prospects, one for customers – each trained on different knowledge bases.
How do I get started?
First, audit your existing content. What do you already have that demonstrates your expertise? Second, reach out to us at Studio1 Design. I’ll review your situation and, if Delphi is a good fit, introduce you directly to Joe’s team to get started. They’ll handle the technical setup while you focus on defining your knowledge base and conversation goals.
