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Tips & Advice

Showit Website Template Vs Custom Website Designs: Which is better?

September 2, 2025
Mobile and tablet mockup of social media website

So you’ve decided it’s time to refresh your website, but now you’re stuck on the biggest question: “Should I use a Showit website template or invest in custom design?”

Here’s the honest answer: it completely depends on your goals, budget, and timeline. While custom web design might seem like the obvious choice, it’s not always the smartest move for every business.

In this blog post we’ll explore which option is best for your business, DIY’ing your website with a Showit website template or finding an awesome designer for a custom web design.

Showit Website Templates

Website templates have revolutionized how creative professionals approach web design, and for good reason. You no longer need to outsource your entire project and wait months for results. Today’s high-quality Showit website templates combine strategic design with beautiful aesthetics, giving you a professional foundation you can customize efficiently.

Showit social media website on laptop on coffee table

So what are the benefits?

  • Way more budget-friendly than custom design
  • No ongoing maintenance costs once you’re comfortable managing it
  • No technical skills needed to get started
  • Tons of beautiful templates to choose from
  • You’re in complete control of your timeline

What are the downsides?

  • You need to actually finish it (so many templates end up sitting there untouched for months!)
  • There’s definitely a learning curve with Showit at first
  • You might hit some creative walls when trying to customize beyond the template structure

Custom Showit Websites

Custom and semi-custom website design remains the gold standard for creative professionals who want to make a powerful first impression and stand out in competitive markets.

Tablet with custom floral website on screen

When you invest in custom design, you’re not just getting a website – you’re getting a strategic digital experience crafted specifically for your brand, audience, and business goals. Every element, from the color palette to the user journey, is intentionally designed to reflect your unique value proposition and convert your ideal clients. While it requires a larger investment of time and budget, custom design gives you complete creative freedom and ensures your online presence is as distinctive as the work you create.

So what are the benefits?

  • Total creative freedom to make it exactly how you want
  • Huge time savings when you hand it over to an expert
  • All the technical stuff gets handled properly – mobile optimization, loading speed, integrations, the works
  • Strategic design decisions based on what actually converts (not just what looks pretty)

What are the downsides?

  • It’s definitely a bigger investment upfront
  • Takes longer than templates – though you can fast-track this with intensive options like Website in a Week
  • You need to find a Showit designer who really gets your vision and brand

So Which One’s Right for You?

Look, I know you’re weighing up this decision and honestly, there’s no wrong choice here – just what makes sense for where you’re at right now.

Consider a Showit website template if:

  • You’re working with a budget under $1,000 and need to be smart about it
  • You have the time to invest in customizing it yourself (and actually enjoy that process)
  • You’re totally fine with your site potentially sharing some design elements with others
  • You genuinely like hands-on design work and want creative control
  • Your business is pretty straightforward without needing complex features

Think about a custom Showit web design if:

  • You’re ready to make a real investment in your professional brand
  • Standing out from competitors is crucial for your success
  • You need specific functionality that templates just can’t handle
  • You want expert guidance making strategic design decisions that actually convert
  • You’d rather focus on running your business while someone else handles the technical stuff
  • You’re launching something new and want to make a powerful first impression

Here’s How I Can Help: Semi-Custom Design That Just Works

If custom design sounds perfect but you’re worried about timelines and budget, my semi-custom Showit web design and “Website in a Week” intensive might be exactly what you need. This approach consistently gets my clients the results they’re after without the usual headaches.

Why semi-custom makes so much sense

We start with a solid design framework that I completely customize for your brand. Think of it like having great bones for a house but designing every room exactly how you want it. This way, we skip the overwhelming blank-canvas phase while making sure your final Showit site is totally unique to you.

You get much faster turnaround than full custom design, but your website still looks completely different from your competitors. Plus, I’m making all the strategic decisions based on what actually works for your industry and ideal clients.

Why Website in a Week just works:

  • Your new Showit website goes live in just 5 business days
  • One focused week where your project gets my complete attention
  • Perfect for launches, rebrands, or replacing that outdated site that’s not doing you any favors
  • All the strategic thinking and uniqueness of custom design without the long wait
  • Combines the speed of templates with the impact of custom work

Here’s what I know from experience: whether you’re a photographer who needs stunning portfolio presentation, a wedding planner targeting luxury clients, or any creative professional ready to charge what you’re worth – a semi-custom Showit website positions you as the clear choice instead of just another option.

Ready to stop planning and start converting? Let’s talk about creating a Showit site that makes your ideal clients think “Yes, this is exactly who I want to work with” the second they see your homepage.

Let’s bring your ideas to life with a website that feels aligned, elevated, and ready to support your next stage of growth. I’m here for every step of the way so you can launch with clarity and confidence.

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