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Hostinger AI Builder: How to Send Receipts From Your Online Store

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Hostinger AI Builder: How to Send Receipts From Your Online Store

To send receipts from your Hostinger AI Builder online store, you need to set up automatic email notifications in your store’s settings, and optionally configure a payment gateway that triggers receipt emails. This article explains the exact steps, what each setting does, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

Background: How Hostinger AI Builder Handles Store Emails

Hostinger AI Builder is a website builder that includes a basic e-commerce module. It lets you create product listings, manage inventory, and accept payments through integrated gateways like PayPal or Stripe. However, the platform’s built-in email system is primarily designed for transactional notifications—order confirmations, shipping updates, and password resets—rather than a full marketing email suite.

Receipts are a type of transactional email. They confirm a purchase, provide a summary of items, and often include a payment reference. In Hostinger AI Builder, receipt emails are generated automatically when a customer completes a checkout. The system sends them from a default address (usually your store’s domain email or a Hostinger-provided address) and you cannot customize the HTML template beyond basic text edits in some plans.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Automatic Receipts

  1. Log in to your Hostinger hPanel and open the AI Builder editor for your store.
  2. Go to Store → Settings → Notifications (or Emails depending on your version).
  3. Enable Order Confirmation and Payment Receipt toggles. These are usually on by default, but if you’ve turned them off, re-enable them.
  4. Set the Sender Email address. Use a domain email (e.g., noreply@yourstore.com) to avoid spam filters. If you don’t have one, create it in hPanel’s Email section first.
  5. Save changes. Test by placing a test order using a sandbox payment method (if available) or a real transaction with a refund.

If your payment gateway is not triggering receipts, you may need to configure it separately. For example, PayPal can send its own receipt, but that’s separate from your store’s email. To avoid duplicate or missing emails, choose one system to send the official receipt.

How to Customize the Receipt Template

Hostinger AI Builder does not offer a full drag-and-drop email editor for receipts. You can only modify the text content in the notification settings, not the HTML layout. The email includes placeholders like {order_id}, {customer_name}, and {total_amount} which are automatically filled.

To change the text:

  • Go to Notifications → Order Confirmation.
  • Edit the subject line and body text. Keep the placeholders intact.
  • For a more branded receipt, you would need to integrate a third-party service like Zapier (if supported) or use a custom SMTP plugin—but that’s beyond the built-in features.

Common Problems and Fixes

Receipts not sending: Check that your domain email is verified. Hostinger requires SPF and DKIM records to be set for your domain. If you’re using a free email like Gmail, the emails may be blocked. Also verify that the customer’s email address is correctly captured during checkout—typos happen.

Emails going to spam: Ask the customer to check their spam folder. Add your sender address to their contacts. Also, avoid using words like “free” or “urgent” in the subject line, as they trigger spam filters.

Duplicate receipts: If both PayPal and your store send receipts, disable one. In Hostinger AI Builder, you can turn off the store’s receipt and rely on PayPal’s, or vice versa.

Comparing Hostinger AI Builder to Other Platforms

Unlike dedicated e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, Hostinger AI Builder’s receipt system is simpler. Shopify allows full email template customization and automatic resend options. WooCommerce (WordPress) gives you plugins for PDF receipts and invoice numbers. Hostinger AI Builder focuses on simplicity—you get basic email notifications without complex settings. This is fine for small stores, but if you need advanced receipt features (like attaching PDFs or including tax breakdowns), you may outgrow it.

Costs and Limitations

Hostinger AI Builder is included in Hostinger’s web hosting plans, starting at around $2.99/month (promotional). The e-commerce features are available on all plans, but the number of products and transactions may be limited on the cheapest plan. Receipt emails are free—you only pay for the hosting plan. However, sending bulk emails (like newsletters) is not part of the AI Builder; you’d need a separate email marketing service.

Safety and Privacy Considerations

Receipts contain personal data (name, address, purchase details). Ensure your store is GDPR-compliant if you serve EU customers. Hostinger AI Builder stores order data on their servers, and you should enable SSL (free via Let’s Encrypt) to protect customer information during checkout. Also, never include full credit card numbers in receipts—only the last four digits. Hostinger’s payment gateways handle card data securely, so you don’t need to store it yourself.

Alternatives: If You Need More Control

If Hostinger AI Builder’s receipt system doesn’t meet your needs, consider these options:

  • Use a third-party SMTP service (like SendGrid) to send transactional emails from your domain—Hostinger supports custom SMTP settings.
  • Switch to WooCommerce on Hostinger’s WordPress hosting, which offers extensive receipt plugins.
  • Use a standalone payment link service (e.g., Stripe Payment Links) that sends its own receipts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attach a PDF invoice to the receipt? No, Hostinger AI Builder does not support PDF attachments in its built-in email system. You would need to use a third-party integration or switch to a more advanced platform.

Why did my customer not receive a receipt? First, check if the order is marked as “Paid” in your store admin. If it’s pending, the receipt may not be triggered. Also, ask the customer to check spam. If the issue persists, verify your SMTP settings and email authentication records.

Can I change the sender name? Yes, you can set the sender name in the notification settings. It defaults to your store name, but you can edit it.

Do receipts include taxes and shipping? Yes, the receipt includes the total amount, which includes taxes and shipping if you’ve configured them in your product settings.

Is there a limit to how many receipts I can send? No, Hostinger AI Builder does not impose a limit on transactional emails. However, your hosting plan’s sending limits may apply if you send a massive volume.

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