How Web Agencies Should Use AI: A Real Talk on Tools, Tactics, and Triumphs
Table of Content
Let me tell you a story. Last week, I visited my buddy Alex at his web agency. It’s one of those places where creativity meets caffeine—bean bags strewn around, whiteboards covered in scribbles, and the faint hum of keyboards clicking away like an orchestra tuning up. We sat down over coffee (black for him, oat milk latte for me), and he started showing me all these subscriptions they had piled up.
Turns out, Alex’s team is subscribed to over 20 different AI tools. Yeah, you heard that right. Twenty. Some for writing copy, others for designing logos, some for creating videos from text prompts, even ones that analyze customer behavior or predict trends.
At first glance, it felt overwhelming. But then, as we dug deeper into how each tool helped them save time, money, and sanity, I realized something: this wasn’t just about shiny new tech—it was about survival.
Having a good AI Setup, is like having a good coffee machine
Let’s wrap this up first with a quick note on the big three: marketing, sales, and advertising. AI transforms all three areas, but differently.
- Marketing: Use AI to personalize campaigns, segment audiences, and optimize content. Tools like Copy.ai help craft compelling copy, while platforms like SEMrush guide keyword research.
- Sales: AI streamlines lead qualification, automates follow-ups, and predicts buyer intent. Salesforce Einstein is a powerhouse here.
- Advertising: From dynamic creatives to real-time bidding, AI ensures your ads reach the right people at the right time. Facebook Ads Manager’s AI optimizations are particularly strong.
- Asset Creation: AI tools to generate Art, Images, videos, and audios may be 3D meshes can save your agencies a lot of money.
If you run a web agency—or work with one—you know how fast things move. Deadlines are tight, clients want miracles overnight, and budgets? Well, let’s not talk about budgets. So today, I’m going to share what I learned from Alex’s setup, along with advice on how your agency can use AI without drowning in subscriptions or losing its soul. Let’s dive in.
Hazem Abbas
1. Running LLMs Offline
Here’s the thing: not every project needs to be connected to the cloud. Sometimes, privacy matters more than convenience. Imagine working with sensitive client data—like financial reports or confidential marketing strategies—and needing to generate summaries or insights without risking leaks. That’s where running large language models (LLMs) offline comes in handy.
Hazem Abbas
I’ve seen agencies set up their own servers to host open-source models like Llama or Mistral. Sure, it takes some upfront investment, but once it’s running, you’re golden. You control everything—the speed, the security, the costs. Plus, there’s no worrying about third-party services going down during crunch time. For smaller teams, though, this might feel daunting. If that’s you, start small. Experiment with lightweight versions before diving headfirst into full-scale deployments.
We covered several topics in this blog in how and which LLMs services you can run offline for Linux, Windows and macOS.
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
2. AI Low-Code Platforms
You ever stare at a blank screen, knowing exactly what you want to build but dreading the hours of coding ahead? Me too. That’s why low-code platforms powered by AI are game-changers. These tools let designers and developers drag-and-drop elements while the AI handles the heavy lifting under the hood.
Take Bubble or OutSystems, for example. They allow non-coders to create functional websites and apps almost instantly. And guess what? Clients love seeing prototypes come to life quickly. It builds trust and speeds up feedback loops. Just don’t rely solely on these tools for complex projects—they’re great for MVPs and simple sites, but custom solutions still need human expertise.
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
3. AI Art Videos and Audios
Remember when making videos required hiring actors, renting equipment, and spending weeks editing footage? Those days are gone. Now, you can type a few lines of text, hit “generate,” and watch AI whip up a professional-looking video in minutes.
Tools like Synthesia or Runway ML make this magic happen. Need voiceovers? No problem—AI generates realistic voices in multiple languages. Want background music? Done. Even animations and transitions are handled automatically. This is perfect for explainer videos, social media ads, or internal training materials. The best part? You save thousands compared to traditional production methods.
But here’s my tip: always review the output carefully. While AI is impressive, it sometimes misses nuances that only humans catch. Add your personal touch to ensure the final product feels authentic.
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
4. Text-to-Video Magic
Okay, so technically, this could fall under the previous point, but hear me out. Text-to-video deserves its own spotlight because it’s reshaping content creation entirely. Think about it: instead of brainstorming scripts, storyboarding scenes, and coordinating shoots, you simply describe what you want, and voilà—a video appears.
For marketers, this means faster campaigns. For sales teams, it means personalized pitches tailored to specific prospects. And for designers? Freedom. Freedom to focus on higher-level tasks instead of getting bogged down in repetitive grunt work. My favorite platform for this is Pictory, though there are plenty of alternatives depending on your budget and needs.
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
5. AI Canvas
Ever wish you could sketch out ideas and have someone else refine them into polished designs? Enter AI canvas tools. Apps like Canva (yes, they’ve integrated AI now) or Adobe Firefly let you upload rough sketches or basic layouts and transform them into stunning visuals.
This is especially helpful for branding projects. Say a client wants five logo variations within two hours. Normally, that’d send any designer into panic mode. With AI canvas tools, you can churn out options quickly, leaving room for fine-tuning later. Just remember: AI isn’t replacing designers—it’s enhancing them. Use these tools to amplify your skills, not replace them.
Hazem Abbas
6. Open-Source AI Apps
One of the coolest things Alex showed me was their collection of open-source AI apps. These aren’t flashy SaaS products; they’re community-driven tools anyone can download, modify, and use for free. From chatbots to image generators, the possibilities are endless.
Why go open-source? First, cost savings. Second, flexibility. Third, transparency. You see exactly how the algorithms work, which builds trust with clients who care about ethical tech. Popular examples include Stable Diffusion for art generation and Hugging Face for natural language processing. If you’re tech-savvy enough to tinker with code, these gems are worth exploring.
Hazem Abbas
7. AI Agents
Imagine having a virtual assistant who doesn’t just schedule meetings but actively helps you close deals, manage projects, and optimize workflows. That’s what AI agents do. They’re like supercharged chatbots with brains.
For instance, tools like AgentGPT or AutoGPT act as autonomous teammates, handling repetitive tasks so you can focus on strategy. Need to draft emails? Done. Research competitors? Easy. Analyze performance metrics? Sorted. These agents aren’t perfect yet, but they’re evolving rapidly. Keep an eye on this space—it’s going to explode soon.
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
8. Using AI for Data Analysis
Data is everywhere, but turning raw numbers into actionable insights? That’s hard. Unless you have AI on your side. Modern analytics platforms like Tableau or Google Analytics now include AI-powered dashboards that highlight trends, anomalies, and opportunities automatically.
For web agencies, this is gold. Whether you’re tracking website traffic, monitoring ad performance, or measuring campaign ROI, AI simplifies the process. Instead of sifting through spreadsheets, you get clear, concise reports delivered straight to your inbox. Spend less time crunching numbers and more time implementing strategies.
9. AI to Art: Text-to-Image
Creating stunning visuals used to require hours of sketching, designing, and refining—or hiring expensive artists. But now? All you need is a few words. Welcome to the world of text-to-image AI, where tools like Stable Diffusion, DALL·E, and MidJourney turn your wildest ideas into polished artwork in seconds.
Imagine typing something as simple as “a futuristic cityscape at sunset with neon lights reflecting on water” and watching an AI generate a breathtaking image that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie. That’s the power of these models. Whether you’re crafting social media posts, designing website banners, or brainstorming branding concepts, text-to-image generators save time and spark creativity.
Stable Diffusion stands out for its open-source nature, letting tech-savvy users tweak the model to fit their needs. Meanwhile, DALL·E impresses with its ability to understand complex prompts and deliver hyper-realistic results. And if you’re looking for something more artistic, MidJourney specializes in dreamlike, surreal visuals that are perfect for creative projects.
But here’s the catch: while these tools are insanely powerful, they’re not foolproof. Sometimes the output feels a little… off. Maybe the proportions are weird, or the colors don’t quite match your vision. That’s where human expertise comes in. Use AI as your starting point, then refine and polish the results to make them truly shine.
For web agencies, this tech is a game-changer. Need custom illustrations for a client’s blog? Done. Want unique hero images for a landing page? Easy. The possibilities are endless—and so is the potential to wow your clients without breaking the bank.
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
Hazem Abbas
Which AI Services Fit Better?
Now, here’s the million-dollar question: which tools should you invest in? Honestly, it depends on your goals. Are you focused on marketing? Then prioritize SEO optimization tools like SurferSEO or content generators like Jasper. Sales teams might benefit more from CRM integrations like HubSpot’s AI features or predictive analytics platforms.
Advertising agencies should look into ad optimization tools like AdCreative.ai, which tests countless variations to find winning combinations. Designers will gravitate toward visual-focused apps like MidJourney or DALL·E. The key is to identify your pain points and match them with the right solution. Don’t subscribe to everything—pick a few winners and master them.
Hazem Abbas
Final Thoughts
So, how should web agencies use AI? By treating it as a partner, not a replacement. Yes, it’s tempting to automate everything, but remember: relationships matter. Clients hire you for your creativity, expertise, and human touch—not because you can plug numbers into a machine.
Start small. Experiment with a couple of tools. Learn their strengths and limitations. And most importantly, stay curious. The world of AI is changing daily, and staying ahead means embracing change—not fearing it.
What do you think? Have you tried any of these tools? Or maybe you’ve got a favorite I missed? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
