Cafe24 said on May 19 it has launched an "AI website builder" for small merchants and small and medium-sized business owners. It is an all-in-one solution that provides a generative AI-based editing environment and operational functions such as payments and customer management on a single platform.

According to a survey on the status of small merchants released by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in March, the share of small merchants using digital and smart technologies stood at 27.2 percent. Against that backdrop, Cafe24 said it introduced the service to reduce the time and cost burden of building and operating websites.

The AI website builder provides specialised templates for six major sectors: healthcare, education, lodging and leisure, services, religion, and B2B and professional services. It also offers dedicated components needed to run each sector from the initial stage, allowing users to start production by choosing a style that fits their business nature and brand mood. Completed websites are provided in a responsive structure that automatically adapts to PC and mobile environments.

Editing is handled through a generative AI-based editor. When users enter a desired mood and operating purpose in natural language, the layout, images and text are adjusted to reflect it. It also supports selecting an area that needs changes and editing only that section, and detailed editing such as changing colour palettes and adjusting fonts. Users can preview edits separately on PC and mobile screens.

After building the website, operational functions are also managed within the same platform. The integrated admin supports visitor statistics, booking management, content operations such as notices, FAQs, galleries and blogs, inquiry intake, online payments (PG integration), and search engine optimisation (SEO) settings. Key functions such as boards, member management, payments and input forms are provided as widgets and can be applied to the website in connection with AI editing functions.

It also provides additional services such as Kakao Alimtalk and SMS integration, issuance of electronic tax invoices, and advertising services. The pricing is structured as a single plan, and new users can try it free for 1 month. Domains, hosting and SSL certificates are included by default, allowing immediate operation without separate infrastructure setup.

Cafe24 Chief Executive Lee Jae-seok (이재석) said, "Websites are now becoming a core asset that forms brand trust and customer touchpoints regardless of company size." He added, "We plan to continuously advance related services so that more small merchants and small business owners can secure online brand competitiveness by lowering the barriers to entry for professional website building and operation."