What you need
Three free accounts. That's the whole setup.
No website builder login. No CMS course. About fifteen minutes if you've never done this before.
The three required accounts
GitHub
- What it is
- A free account where your website's files live — like a filing cabinet on the internet.
- When you need it
- You need it on day one. Your AI uses it. You never have to open it if you don't want to.
- Cost
- Free for what small businesses need.
- Setup
- Ask your AI to set it up.
Vercel
- What it is
- The company that puts your site on the internet and keeps it online.
- When you need it
- You need it on day one to go live. Free plan covers most small-business sites.
- Cost
- Free to start. You only pay if traffic outgrows the free plan — and you can set a spend cap.
- Setup
- Ask your AI to set it up.
An AI assistant
- What it is
- ChatGPT or Claude — the chat app you already talk to.
- When you need it
- You need it every day. This is how you build and update the site.
- Cost
- Whatever you already pay (or the free tier of that product). Chatterbuilt free tools work without a Chatterbuilt key.
- Setup
- Ask your AI to connect Chatterbuilt — or open Get started for the one-line command.
Suggested extras
None of these are required to launch. Add them when you need the job done. For each one: what it is, when you actually need it, cost in plain terms, and how to set it up.
Resend
- What it is
- Sends email when someone fills out your contact form — so messages actually reach your inbox.
- When you need it
- When you want form submissions in email instead of only in a dashboard.
- Cost
- Free allowance for light use; paid only if you send a lot.
- Setup
- Ask your AI to set it up.
Calendly or Cal.com
- What it is
- Booking tools so customers pick a time and it lands on your calendar.
- When you need it
- When you take appointments, consults, or site visits.
- Cost
- Both have free tiers for simple booking. Paid plans if you need more.
- Setup
- Ask your AI to set it up.
Umami
- What it is
- Private visitor stats — your numbers, not Google's ad profile of your customers.
- When you need it
- When you want to know traffic without heavy tracking scripts.
- Cost
- Can run free on starter hosting for small sites.
- Setup
- Ask your AI to set it up.
Beehiiv
- What it is
- Newsletter platform — turn visitors into subscribers and email them later.
- When you need it
- When you want a list, not just a one-time contact form.
- Cost
- Free tier to start; paid as the list grows.
- Setup
- Ask your AI to set it up.
Google Business Profile
- What it is
- Your free listing on Google Maps and local search — where nearby customers look first.
- When you need it
- If you serve a local area (shop, service, restaurant, office).
- Cost
- Free.
- Setup
- Ask your AI: "get me on Google."
Best practices, not promises.
Example monthly cost
Example, not a guarantee — prices are the providers', not ours
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| GitHub | $0 |
| Vercel hosting | $0 (Hobby plan) |
| Domain | about $1/month ($11/year) |
| Contact-form email | $0 (free up to 3,000/month) |
| Chatbot | $0 (built in) |
| Site stats | $0 (Umami) |
Typical total: about a dollar a month.