So you’re ready for a new website using Showit. Now comes the fun part: picking a Showit website template that brings your brand to life and makes your digital home base yours.
You’re probably wondering, how do I choose the right template for me? When you’re staring down thousands of options, it’s easy to make the decision harder than it needs to be.
Well you are in luck! Because this blog post is all about what to look for in a Showit website template so you, as a creative entrepreneur, can make the right choice.
In case we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Emily from Blue House Creative Co., and I design Showit websites for creatives just like you. In addition to custom designs, I also have pre-made Showit website templates that are a great way to get the look of a custom website when a full custom design is not in the timeline or budget.
This post breaks it all down into three criteria: the pages you need, your budget, and the overall aesthetic. And if you’re not sure if Showit is the right website builder for you, check out Showit vs. Squarespace: How to Choose What’s Right for You. I break down everything you need to know about the two platforms.
Does It Have the Pages You Need?
When you’re looking for a Showit website template, it can be easy to get carried away with the what-ifs. What if I start a podcast (even though you’re currently swamped with everything else)? What if I need an e-commerce shop (even though you have zero products right now)? What if I start doing speaking engagements (even though you’ve never done one in your life)?
See where I’m going with this?
There are thousands of Showit website templates out there. Some are more beautiful than words. Some make you scratch your head. And some are so loaded with extra pages and bonus canvases that the overwhelm hits the moment you purchase.
If this is your first website, chances are you have a lot of work ahead of you: gathering your content, writing your copy, getting your branding sorted, figuring out your brand voice, and so on. Some of this you might already have dialed in, and that is great. But chances are, at least one thing is still a work in progress.
It’s important to remember: where you start is not where you will end. So start with what you can finish.
The must-have pages
Home, About, Services, and Contact are your bare minimum. Pretty much every Showit website template will include these.
Other pages worth considering: Portfolio (especially if your work is visually driven, think photographers, stationery designers, and floral designers), individual service pages (great for SEO and going in depth on your offerings), a blog (another SEO goldmine), and a Resources page (a great spot for affiliate links or tools you love).
Here’s how to narrow down what pages you actually need:
- Write out a list of your current offers.
- Do you have any freebies or newsletters you want visitors to sign up for?
- Are there other marketing channels you want to include, like a podcast or YouTube channel?
- What does your ideal client need to see to want to work with you? That’s your portfolio content.
- How are you planning to drive traffic to your site? Organic SEO through a blog? Strictly social media?
Thinking through these questions helps you identify what pages to start with. Opening a template full of extras you have no content for yet can make you feel like you need to build out entire marketing channels before you can go live. You don’t. Start with what you have. The rest will grow as your business grows.
How Much Should You Spend on a Showit Website Template?
The good news is that you have a lot to choose from. When you’re thinking about your template budget, zoom out and look at your total website budget, or, if you’re just starting out, how much you can realistically allocate to your website right now.
A few things to factor in:
- Are you hiring a copywriter or writing your own copy?
- Are you using existing brand photos or booking a new shoot?
- Are you customizing the template yourself or hiring a designer?
- Have you purchased your domain yet?
- Do you already have a logo and brand identity?
Showit is also subscription-based, so factor that monthly cost into your numbers too.
With all of that in mind, Showit website templates range from free to $2,000 and up. That’s a wide range. From what I’ve seen, the bulk of professional templates land in the $300 to $700 range, and there are solid options across a lot of industries.
Template customization packages typically run $1,000 to $3,500 and up, depending on the designer. Going the DIY route is a smart move if you’re working with a tight budget. Hiring a designer to handle the customization is worth it if you’re working against a tight timeline.
You Like the Way It Looks
This one might seem obvious, but you want to actually like your website. And here’s something worth knowing: it’s completely okay to fall in love with a template that wasn’t designed for your industry.
Say you’re a stationery designer and you’ve fallen in love with a Showit website template built for photographers. Does it have the pages you need? Is it in your budget? Does the aesthetic feel like you? Then go for it.
Showit templates are completely customizable, meaning every piece of content can be swapped out to fit your brand and business. What matters more than finding a template built for your industry is finding one that has the right pages, fits your budget, and has your brand’s vibe.
Putting It All Together
The three things to look for in a Showit website template are:
- Does it have the essential pages you need?
- Is it within your budget?
- Do you like the way it looks?
That’s it!
I hope this helped you feel more confident going into your search. Be sure to check out the Blue House Creative Co. template shop and send me a message with any questions!
