Hostinger offers genuine value for money and has some excellent technical features, particularly around SEO. However, their approach to legal liability is quite aggressive, placing almost all responsibility on the user.
Like all AI website builders, Hostinger correctly identifies that you (the business owner) are the "Data Controller" under GDPR, while they act as the "Data Processor."
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This means if your business grows and you need more sophisticated features or integrations, you might find yourself hitting walls quite quickly.
The GDPR Reality Check
Like all AI website builders, Hostinger correctly identifies that you (the business owner) are the “Data Controller” under GDPR, while they act as the “Data Processor.” This means:
- You’re responsible for getting proper consent from website visitors
- You must create accurate privacy policies
- You need to handle data subject requests (like deletion requests)
- You must ensure any international data transfers are legally compliant
Hostinger processes data in accordance with GDPR, but they make it clear that ensuring compliance is your responsibility, not theirs.
Is Hostinger Right for Your UK Business?
Hostinger can be an excellent choice for certain types of UK businesses, but it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for.
Hostinger works well if you:
- Have a very tight budget
- Need a simple website without complex functionality
- Are comfortable taking full legal responsibility for AI-generated content
- Don’t handle particularly sensitive customer data
- Have the time to manually review all AI-generated content
- Don’t need extensive customisation options
Consider alternatives if you:
- Want more legal protection around AI-generated content
- Need guaranteed UK data residency
- Handle sensitive personal or financial data
- Require extensive third-party integrations
- Plan to scale significantly and need advanced features
- Prefer platforms that share more legal responsibility
The Bottom Line
Hostinger offers genuine value for money and has some excellent technical features, particularly around SEO. However, their approach to legal liability is quite aggressive, placing almost all responsibility on the user.
For many small UK businesses, this trade-off might be acceptable, especially if you’re comfortable reviewing content carefully and don’t handle highly sensitive data. Just make sure you understand what you’re taking on before you commit.
Remember: the cheapest option isn’t always the most cost-effective if it leads to legal problems or limits your growth down the line. Consider your long-term business goals alongside the immediate cost savings.
Works cited
- How to write an effective privacy policy for your website – Wix.com, accessed September 3, 2025, https://www.wix.com/blog/how-to-write-website-privacy-policy
- Privacy policy – Hostinger, accessed September 3, 2025, https://www.hostinger.com/legal/privacy-policy
- Privacy policy – Hostinger, accessed September 3, 2025, https://www.hostinger.com/legal/privacy-policy
- Website Services Agreement – GoDaddy, accessed September 3, 2025, https://www.godaddy.com/legal/agreements/website-services-agreement
- Website Builder | Create Your Website in Minutes with Ease – Hostinger, accessed September 3, 2025, https://www.hostinger.com/website-builder
- Hostinger – Bring Your Idea Online With a Website, accessed September 3, 2025, https://www.hostinger.com/
- Hostinger API Reference, accessed September 3, 2025, https://developers.hostinger.com/
At-a-Glance Comparative Matrix
| AI Builder | SEO & GEO for UK | Content Ownership | Personal Data & GDPR | Hosting & Legal | Developer Access |
| Wix ADI | AI assists with localization, but user must perform manual SEO. | User owns content, but platform is non-migratable. | User is Data Controller, responsible for policies covering Wix and third-party data. | Servers in Europe/US. Data transfer is compliant, but no UK-hosted data is confirmed. | Limited to API access with size and timeout limitations. |
| Hostinger | Automatic SEO files and AI assistant provide a solid foundation. | User retains IP to content, with a nuanced clause on “User Submissions.” | Fully GDPR compliant as a processor, but user must handle their own compliance. | Confirmed UK servers. Data remains within UK jurisdiction if selected. | API is for account management, not builder database access. |
| Squarespace | AI assists with SEO descriptions; platform relies on a “brand-first” strategy. | User owns AI output, but platform disclaims all copyright responsibility for it. | User must provide a legally compliant privacy policy. | All servers in the US; relies on UK Extension to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. | Limited to Commerce API access for specific data points. |
| Shopify | AI assists with content creation; traditional SEO is paramount. | User owns content but grants Shopify a broad, perpetual license and waives moral rights. | Dual-controller relationship for “Enhanced Services” requires careful user consent. | Global servers with no specific UK locations confirmed. | API access is the only authorized method for data interaction. |
| GoDaddy | AI SEO can be harmful due to “keyword stuffing”; lacks advanced features. | Platform claims ownership of the website; a highly restrictive and contradictory policy. | User is responsible for GDPR; templates are not fully compliant. | London POP exists for performance, but no specific data center is confirmed. | No direct database or API access for the AI builder’s data. |
| 10Web | AI for meta-tags and technical SEO; user can choose a UK data center. | User retains ownership of content and AI output; responsible for its legality. | Data is collected and stored, but not sold; relies on third-party processors. | Confirmed UK data centers on Google Cloud. | Direct database access via phpMyAdmin and SSH. |
| Bookmark AiDA | AI provides general SEO help, but lacks specific geo-targeting. | User grants a “perpetual and irrevocable” license; platform owns all derivative works. | Privacy policy is generic and a major compliance risk for UK users. | “Cloud hosting” is mentioned, but no specific server locations are provided. | No developer API or direct database access is offered. |
AI Website Builders: A UK Due Diligence Guide
Navigating SEO, Data Sovereignty, and Developer Access for UK Businesses
At-a-Glance: Platform Comparison
This summary provides a high-level comparison of the seven AI website builders across key decision factors for UK users. Note the significant differences in data hosting and developer freedom.
Content Ownership & Legal Risk
User Content Ownership Policies
The legal terms surrounding who owns the content you create vary dramatically. This chart visualizes the spectrum from full user ownership to highly restrictive platform claims.
Key Legal Considerations
Vendor Lock-In
Platforms like Wix make it impossible to migrate your site, forcing a complete rebuild if you decide to leave.
Perpetual Licenses
Bookmark AiDA's terms grant them a permanent, irrevocable right to use your content and own all derivative works.
Waiver of Moral Rights
Shopify users must waive their "moral rights," giving Shopify extensive control over how their content is used and modified.
Data Sovereignty & UK Hosting
For UK businesses, ensuring customer data remains within the UK is a critical compliance and trust factor. Only two of the seven platforms offer a confirmed UK data center, directly addressing UK GDPR concerns.
UK Data Centers
Hostinger and 10Web allow users to select a UK-based server, ensuring data remains within UK jurisdiction.
US-Based Hosting
Squarespace hosts all data in the US, relying on the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework for legal compliance.
Global/Unspecified
Wix, Shopify, GoDaddy, and Bookmark AiDA use global networks with no guaranteed UK hosting, creating potential data transfer complexities.
Developer Database Access: A Spectrum of Control
The ability for developers to access and manipulate a site's database is crucial for custom development and long-term flexibility. The platforms range from offering full, direct access to being completely closed ecosystems.
Strategic Recommendations for UK Users
Small Business / Novice User
Hostinger is the top choice due to its user-friendly interface and the significant advantage of a UK server option. Wix is a strong alternative for its features, but be aware of vendor lock-in.
E-commerce Business
Shopify and Squarespace are the leaders in this space. Shopify's robust API is ideal for integration, while Squarespace offers a legally sound framework for US data transfers.
Developer-Led / Technical User
10Web is the undisputed winner, offering direct database access via phpMyAdmin/SSH and a UK hosting option. It provides maximum flexibility and is the most future-proof solution.
Platforms to Approach with Caution
GoDaddy (due to contradictory ownership terms and poor SEO tools) and Bookmark AiDA (due to highly restrictive content licensing and lack of transparency) present significant legal and commercial risks for UK businesses.
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