There’s a new kid on the block and it’s shaking things up.
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has introduced a new concept: vibe coding. It sounds cool, maybe a little mystical, but what does it actually mean? Is it really possible to build a functional website just by describing a "vibe"?
This article will break down exactly what vibe coding is, how it works and how it compares to traditional website development.
So, What is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is an approach to development that uses AI to build software based on natural language descriptions. Instead of writing precise, line-by-line code, you describe the look, feel,and functionality you want (the "vibe") and an AI tool interprets your request to generate the underlying code.
Think of it like working with a hyper-efficient human developer. You wouldn't tell a developer, "Set the CSS 'colour' property of the H1 element to #FFFFFF". Instead, you'd say, "Make the main headline white."
Vibe coding takes this a step further.
You can give it even broader instructions, like, "Create a clean, minimalist landing page for a new coffee shop with a calming, earthy colour palette."
The AI then gets to work, generating the HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other necessary components to bring your vision to life. It’s a conversational, intuitive way to approach development that opens up website creation to those without technical coding skills.
How Does Vibe Coding Work?
Vibe coding is powered by large language models (LLMs). The same technology behind tools like ChatGPT.
These models have been trained on vast amounts of text and code from the internet, allowing them to understand the relationship between natural language descriptions and the code that produces specific visual or functional outcomes.
When you give a prompt to an AI coding tool, it follows a few key steps:
1. Interprets the Prompt: The AI analyses your description, breaking down keywords and phrases like "modern," "playful," "user-friendly," or "e-commerce functionality."
2. Generates Code: Based on its training, the AI generates the code it predicts will best match your description. It might pull from code snippets and design patterns it has learned are associated with your requested "vibe."
3. Creates an Output: The generated code is rendered as a live, interactive preview of the website or application.
4. Iterates on Feedback: You can then provide further instructions to refine the result. For example, you might say, "Change the green to a darker forest green," or "Add a 'Contact Us' button to the navigation bar." The AI will adjust the code accordingly.
This iterative process of describing and refining allows you to shape the final product without ever touching a line of code yourself.
An Example of Vibe Coding in Action
Let’s see what this looks like in practice.
Imagine you're starting a new artisanal bakery and need a simple website. You might start with a prompt like this:
Prompt: "Create a one-page website for 'The Rolling Pin Bakery.' I want a warm and inviting vibe, using pastel colours. It should have a large hero image of fresh bread, a section for our menu, an 'About Us' story and our address with a map at the bottom."
The AI might instantly generate a webpage with:
-A soft, pastel colour scheme (maybe pale yellows and pinks).
-A placeholder for a large header image.
-Sections for a menu, an 'About Us' text block and a map widget.
-A friendly, rounded font for the headings.
From there, you could refine it:
Prompt 2: "The pink is a bit too bright. Make it more of a dusty rose. And can you add our opening hours under the map?"
The AI would update the CSS for the colours and add a new text element for the opening hours. In just a few minutes, you could have a solid first draft of your website ready to go.
How Is It Different From Traditional Development?
While both vibe coding and traditional coding aim to build software, the process and philosophy behind them are quite different.
Traditional development is a structured, engineering-driven process. It requires developers to have deep knowledge of programming languages, frameworks and databases. They write explicit, detailed code to control every aspect of an application. The process is precise and methodical, often involving detailed project plans, wireframes and rigorous testing cycles.
Vibe coding, on the other hand, is more of an exploratory, creative process. It prioritises speed and accessibility over precision. The "developer" is a creative director, guiding the AI with high-level ideas rather than implementing low-level details. The focus is on the "what" (what it should look like and do) rather than the "how" (the specific code to make it happen).
Is Vibe Coding Better?
No, it's not necessarily better. It's different.
Each approach has its own set of strengths and is suited for different types of projects. The best choice depends entirely on your goals, budget and the complexity of what you're trying to build.
Benefits of Vibe Coding
Speed: AI can generate a functional website draft in minutes, drastically reducing development time for simple projects.
Cost-Effective: For small businesses or startups with limited budgets, AI coding can be a much cheaper alternative to hiring a development agency or team.
Accessibility: It empowers non-technical individuals to build their own websites and test ideas without needing to learn how to code.
Rapid Prototyping: It's an excellent tool for quickly creating mockups and prototypes to visualise ideas or secure stakeholder buy-in.
Benefits of Traditional Coding
Ultimate Control and Customisation: A human developer can build literally anything you can imagine, with no limitations. You have complete control over every pixel and function.
Optimisation and Performance: Experienced developers can write clean, efficient code that is optimised for speed, security and scalability (something AI-generated code can struggle with).
Complex Logic: For applications with complex business logic, unique features, or third-party integrations, the expertise of a human developer is essential.
Maintenance and Scalability: A well-structured, human-written codebase is easier to maintain, debug and scale over the long term.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Deciding between AI coding and traditional development comes down to your specific needs.
Here are a few scenarios to help you choose:
Choose vibe coding if:
-You need a simple brochure-style website for a small business.
-You want to quickly create a landing page for a marketing campaign.
-You have a limited budget and want to test a business idea with a minimum viable product (MVP).
-You need a quick prototype to show potential investors.
Choose traditional development if:
-You need a complex web application with custom features and user accounts.
-You are building an e-commerce platform that needs to handle secure payments and large inventories.
-Performance, security and scalability are top priorities.
-You need a unique, highly-branded design that stands out from the competition.
Starbright | We Offer Both!
Feeling torn? You don't have to choose.
At Starbright, we believe in using the right tool for the job. We embrace the speed of AI and the power of human expertise to deliver the best results for our clients.
Whether you want to spin up a quick website using vibe coding to get your idea off the ground or need a team of expert developers for a custom website development project, we’ve got you covered. We can help you navigate the options and find the perfect solution for your business.
Ready to bring your vision to life?