In a nutshell:
- AI can create a website in minutes—and just as quickly, legal, technical, and SEO risks arise that companies don’t notice until months later.
- Generated text without fact-checking, stolen images, sloppy tracking configuration.
- We’ll show you where the real risks lie and when AI makes sense in a website project.
Everyone is talking about Vibe Coding right now. AI tools promise a finished website in just a few minutes. Sounds good. But it isn’t. At least not for companies that rely on their website.
What is Vibe Coding?
The term comes from Andrej Karpathy, the former head of AI at Tesla. He coined it in early 2025. The idea: You describe what you want in simple terms. The AI writes the code. You look at the result and give feedback. The AI adjusts it. Done.
Sounds like a dream. And for quick prototypes (i.e., preliminary drafts to test an idea), it works. The problem starts when it comes to real company websites.
On TikTok, many creators are currently showing how they build entire websites using Claude, ChatGPT, or Google AI Studio—without understanding a single line of code. One of them: the wife of a marketing creator who used Claude to build a website for her pottery hobby. Complete with a wish list, material management, and a progress tracker. Without any programming knowledge.
It works. For a hobby project. But for a company website you want to use to attract customers, that’s not enough.
The problem with AI-generated code
The Fraunhofer IESE Institute has investigated the risks of AI-generated code. The results are clear:
Security vulnerabilities. AI-generated code regularly contains weaknesses. SQL injections (an attack where hackers access your database via input fields), cross-site scripting (malicious code is delivered to visitors via your website), and missing access restrictions. These aren’t theoretical problems. In the WordPress world, this is evident every week. In early March 2026 alone, 281 new security vulnerabilities were reported in WordPress plugins. For 46 percent of them, there was no fix available at the time of publication.
Code quality. AI produces code that works at first glance. Under the hood, it is often bloated, poorly structured, and difficult to maintain. According to Patchstack, AI-generated vulnerability reports (i.e., security alerts) have now become a problem in their own right within the WordPress community. The same carelessness is evident in the generated code itself.
No testing, no documentation. Professional web development involves testing, documentation, and quality assurance. AI skips all of that. It delivers something that works. It doesn’t check whether it’s secure, fast, or maintainable.
Vendor lock-in. Many AI-powered website builders like Wix ADI or Framer AI operate in closed systems. You’re tied to their platform. Moving to your own server or a professional CMS later on is either extremely expensive or technically impossible.
Why this is particularly problematic for SMEs
For a hobby blog or a personal project, Vibe Coding is a fun little gadget. For businesses, the situation is different.
You bear full responsibility. If your website processes customer data (contact forms, orders, appointment bookings), you are responsible for data protection. Not the AI. Not the website builder provider. You. A GDPR violation caused by insecure code affects you.
Google notices the difference. The March 2026 Core Update has further tightened the requirements for E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Websites with thin, AI-generated content and poor technical metrics (slow load times, missing structured data, poor mobile display) are losing visibility. According to an analysis by Search Engine Journal, 55 percent of websites suffered ranking losses within two weeks of the update. Particularly affected: sites with shallow content.
The hidden costs. An AI website costs little at the start. The bill comes later. When you need features the website builder can’t provide. When security vulnerabilities need to be patched, but you have no access to the code. When your Google ranking plummets because the technical foundation is flawed. The effort required to professionally overhaul an AI website retroactively is often greater than starting clean from the beginning.
What Vibe Coding does well
It would be wrong to completely write off the technology. Vibe Coding has its place. Just not as a substitute for professional web development.
Quick prototypes. Do you have an idea for a new feature on your website? With AI tools, you can see in an hour whether the idea works—before you invest money in its implementation. This saves you back-and-forth coordination with the developer because you can show exactly what you mean.
Internal tools. For an internal dashboard, an inventory list, or a small project management tool, AI-generated code is often sufficient. Such tools aren’t publicly accessible. The security risk is lower. A mechanical engineer who wants to digitally track their tool inventory doesn’t need a professional agency for that.
Inspiration and groundwork. AI provides useful drafts for layouts, color schemes, and page structures. These are a good starting point for working with a professional. They don’t replace the professional, though. But they shorten the phase where both sides are talking past each other.
What matters for a company website
Whether you run your website with a CMS like WordPress or TYPO3 or have it custom-developed: the fundamentals remain the same. And it is precisely these fundamentals where AI website builders regularly fall short.
A real-world example: A medical technology company needs a website with a product catalog, technical data sheets available as PDF downloads, a secure dealer area, and GDPR-compliant contact forms. On top of that, it requires integration with an ERP system for real-time inventory levels. No AI website builder can handle that. And no Vibe Coding prompt can replace the architectural planning behind it.
| Area | What you need | What AI building blocks deliver |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Regular updates, firewall, hardened configuration | No control over the code, no patching capability |
| Performance | Fast loading times (Core Web Vitals met) | Bloated code, often slower than 3 seconds |
| SEO | Clean structure, schema markup, internal linking | No or incorrect structured data |
| Data protection | GDPR-compliant forms, cookie consent, data processing | Standard templates without legal review |
| Maintenance | Scheduled updates, backup strategy, monitoring | Depends on the provider; no direct access |
| Design | Custom design tailored to the brand | Templates based on the same training data |
How we handle this at Waterproof Web Wizard
We use AI tools in our daily work—for research, for drafts, and for data analysis. But we don’t let AI generate a client’s website and then deliver it without review. That’s a crucial difference.
Our approach: AI as a tool, not a replacement. Every line of code is reviewed. Every page is tested for security, performance, and SEO readiness. Every client receives a custom solution tailored to their business. Not an AI template that looks the same for everyone.
It takes longer than Vibe Coding. And it costs more than a website builder subscription. But it works. Long-term.
Conclusion
Vibe Coding is an exciting tool for prototypes and internal tools. For company websites that need to attract customers, protect data, and be found on Google, it’s not enough.
The technology has potential. But today, it is no substitute for expertise. Anyone who has their website created with AI and blindly adopts the code risks security vulnerabilities, ranking losses, and GDPR issues.
This is especially true for business owners in manufacturing, medical technology, or mechanical engineering: Your website is not a hobby. It is a sales channel. And it needs a solid technical foundation.
No hocus-pocus. No shortcuts. Craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibe Coding?
Vibe Coding means you describe what you want to an AI in plain language. The AI writes the code for it. You don’t have to program. The term was coined by AI expert Andrej Karpathy and was named Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary in 2025.
Why is an AI-generated website risky for businesses?
AI-generated code often contains security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. On top of that, there are slow loading times due to bloated code and a lack of GDPR compliance. As the operator, you bear full legal responsibility, even if the AI made the mistake.
Can you still use AI for your website?
Yes, but as a tool, not as a standalone solution. AI is well-suited for prototypes, layout designs, and internal tools. For a professional company website, you need someone to review the code, ensure security, and properly implement SEO fundamentals.
How much does a professional website cost compared to an AI website builder?
An AI website builder costs little at first (often starting at 10 euros a month). The hidden costs come later: due to missing features, security issues, and ranking losses. A professional website requires a higher initial investment, but saves you time, stress, and money in the long run.