Squarespace is one of the most popular website builder options out there for DIYers and for a good reason. It’s easy to jump right in and set up up a website that looks professional. But there’s a lesser-known option that’s coming into popularity and is being used by influencers like Jenna Kutcher and Jasmine Star that you may or may have not heard about: it’s Showit!
If you are debating whether to use Showit vs Squarespace for your new website, you might have some questions or concerns. Let’s talk about them.
Disclaimer: Some of the links provided are affiliate links (denoted with a *), meaning K Design Co. receives compensation from the companies whose products or services are recommended at no additional expense or cost to you.
Website Builder / Design Features
The biggest difference between Squarespace and Showit is the website builder you use to create your site. Both platforms have built-in themes or themes you can buy that give you a foundation for your site, but the website builder allows you to customize those themes further.
SQUARESPACE: Your site is comprised of blocks elements that fit into a column/grid framework. For example, you can drag a text block onto your page and it will adapt to fit full-width, 1/2, or 1/3 of the page, depending on how you wish to size it. Generally, any blocks you add to the page will go above or below the existing layout items. You don’t have much flexibility to overlap or layer items.
SHOWIT: With the Showit builder, there is no column or grid framework, which means you have 100% creative freedom to put any element wherever you want on the page. You can size elements exactly as you want them to be sized to the pixel and layer as many elements behind or in front of others as you wish.
Related Post: The Squarespace Alternative You’ve Been Searching For
Template Customization: Showit vs Squarespace
SQUARESPACE: Once you select a template in Squarespace, you are somewhat limited to certain layout options based on that theme’s built-in features. If you want to significantly change up the look, you’ll need to select a new theme which will have its own set of limitations and capabilities that you’ll have to learn to manipulate.
SHOWIT: With Showit, no matter which template you purchase and use, all the capabilities of Showit are available to you. Even if something is not built into your website template, you still have the ability to create it on your own. You aren’t limited to the features or layout of the theme you started with. There may be a slight learning curve to adding new features, but once you get the hang of the drag-and-drop builder, you have the freedom to change up your template completely.
Showit vs Squarespace SEO
The SEO for your website isn’t generally limited by the platform. However, there are some features built-in that can help you in making the process of optimizing your site a little easier.
SQUARESPACE: Squarespace has blogging baked into their platform so you can create fresh content easily and also add page-specific metadata that will help you optimize your site pages and posts for search engines.
SHOWIT: Showit partners with WordPress to leverage their blogging platform (the #1 in the world). With this integration, you can also take advantage of plugins like Yoast SEO, which will help you optimize each of your posts and help you further customize your blog. Showit also has SEO fields built-in to their page builder to help you optimize your pages.
E-commerce Capabilities
SQUARESPACE: Squarespace has built-in e-commerce functionality which makes setting up a store super easy. However, you will have to splurge for the higher-paid plan if you want to take advantage of any e-commerce features. Also, you are more limited with the built-in functionality that Squarespace offers within their shop features.
SHOWIT: While Showit doesn’t have e-commerce built-in, it can easily be integrated with a plugin like Woocommerce, or even Shopify Starter or Thrivecart* using buy buttons. With buy buttons, you can embed buttons into your Showit site that allow visitors to purchase products and handles all the payment processing. (For a quick break down of how to setup a shop with Showit + Thrivecart, checkout this post.)
My current shop uses Woocommerce, and although it is a little more advanced to setup, it allows for the kind of customization and scalability I need, without sacrificing the design of my site.
Website Hosting Pricing
Both platforms have a monthly fee that includes your hosting cost and access to the website builder. The monthly costs are comparable.
SQUARESPACE: Monthly plans for a Squarespace website range from $16- 46 USD depending on if you need a store and/or other advanced functionality.
SHOWIT: Monthly plans for a Showit site range from $24-39 USD. They offer a lower-cost plan if you don’t need (or want) to maintain a blog on your site. The higher-tier plans are for users with more robust blogs or who need to migrate a blog from an existing non-Showit WordPress website. Check out this article for a full breakdown of Showit’s pricing plans.
Which website platform for you: Squarespace vs Showit?
When it comes down to it, the choice between Squarespace and Showit is up to you, as both platforms have their own pros and cons. If you aren’t super creative and don’t want to customize your website extensively or don’t mind using a theme that’s a little more restrictive, Squarespace is a great option for a website that looks great out of the box.
If you are creative and are looking for something a little more unique you can tailor to your brand and business so that it fits your personality 100%, then Showit is the perfect option for you. If you are looking for a Showit template, check out my Showit Website Template Shop.
Related Post: Shopify vs Squarespace: Choosing Between the Two for Your Website
What questions do you have about using Squarespace vs Showit for your website? Reach out to me here.
