Debating if you should invest in a Showit website template or a custom Showit website designed by a professional? It’s an important decision for any business owner to make as they develop their online presence. Today I want to share TEN questions you should ask yourself when deciding whether a custom Showit website or a website template is best for your business.

01. Do I know how to fill in this template? (Or do I have time to learn?)

I put this question first because this is a huge piece of feedback I hear from my web design clients. Many small business owners purchase a Showit web design template, expecting that Showit will be easy to learn in a day and they’ll have their website launched in a week. I’m so sorry to break this to you, but it’s just not the case.

Showit is an awesome, user-friendly, drag-and-drop web design platform. But there are SO many little details to its functionality that you won’t be able to learn in a day. I’m always discovering new ways to utilize all that Showit has to offer, and I’ve been using Showit for web design for over three years. Not to mention, Showit is always adding new features and improvements to their platform, so things might change. 

However, if you have time to learn Showit, or you already have experience with it, a template might be a great idea. There are lots of great Showit tutorials out there and their support team is the best. So if it’s in your wheelhouse and you have the capacity, go for it! 

Custom Showit website: I recommend hiring a web designer if you don’t know how to use Showit and don’t have the time to learn.

Showit template: I recommend using a template if you know how to customize it or have lots of free time (or you’re in a slow season) so you can learn. 

02. What is my budget for website design?

Budget is so important to think about when you’re thinking about getting your business online! It’s so important to be realistic about where you should invest when you’re launching your business.

Custom websites typically involve a higher price tag. Your web designer will create a unique site from scratch, specifically tailored to your brand, business goals, and target audience. The cost often includes time spent on research, planning, design, development, and revisions.

PS — Find pricing for my Web Design and Brand + Web Design packages here!

Depending on the complexity and level of customization, prices can range significantly — from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

Templates are generally much more affordable upfront. They are pre-designed and only require you to purchase the template and possibly pay for some customizations or premium features. Costs for templates usually range from $100 to $2000, with additional costs for any custom work or add-ons. Showit offers some free website templates that are complementary to your subscription, but they are rudimentary and can look outdated.

I suggest weighing the importance of your budget with all the other pros and cons mentioned in this list. Then you can decide what your priorities are for your website at this stage in your business. 

Custom Showit website: I recommend hiring a web designer if you have it in your budget and can pay a professional what their services are worth.

Showit template: I recommend using a template if you are in the beginning stages of your business and can’t justify the cost, while also considering all the other pros and cons.

03. When do I want to launch my website?

Your timeline for launching a website is a critical factor when deciding between a custom-designed website and purchasing a template! 

Custom Showit websites typically require a longer timeline from discovery to launch. This process involves several stages, including design, development, testing, and revisions. Depending on the complexity of the project, this can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months. But the longer timeline might be worth it if you want a website that’s tailored to your brand’s identity and long-term goals.

On the other hand, if you need a website live like yesterday, a pre-designed template allows for a faster launch. If you have all your content ready to go and you know your way around Showit, you can have a website up and running in a matter of days.

Custom Showit website: If your business can afford the time, a custom-designed website is the best choice for a strategic and scalable online presence that aligns perfectly with your brand and business goals.

Showit template: If you need a website quickly and cost-effectively, a template can be a practical solution to launch on a shorter timeline.

04. Does this template contain every kind of canvas I might need for my website?

It’s so important to look closely at the template you’re wanting to purchase and evaluate if it includes all the types of canvases (or sections) you’ll need. 

Canvases are the building blocks of your website, including headers, footers, galleries, service listings, testimonials, contact forms, and more. If the template has a comprehensive range of canvases that align with your content and business needs, it can streamline the website-building process. This will save you time and effort!

If the template lacks certain canvases that are crucial to your brand or your site’s functionality, or if it isn’t made with your specific industry or type of business in mind, you’ll likely face some challenges. You might need to create custom sections from scratch OR hire a designer to modify the template. Doing so basically negates the time and cost savings associated with website templates.

Custom Showit website: If you need unique structure to convey your brand’s story and services, invest in custom web design, so that every element is tailored to your specific needs.

Showit template: If the template you’re considering covers all your needs, and you know how to customize them, go for it!

05. What special features or functionality do I need?

That last point leads perfectly into this one, regarding the exact features you need for your website. I recommend you have a general outline of your website content before you move forward with web design, whether it’s with a web designer or a template. It’s important to be sure what you need for your website can be done by the designer OR is included in the template you buy.

Special features could include anything from e-commerce capabilities, booking systems, membership portals, interactive maps, animations, or complex forms. If your business relies on these features, the ability to implement them seamlessly on your website is essential.

As a web designer, I have years of experience implementing web design functionality that fits the needs of my clients. A custom website means you can implement features as you envision them, ensuring they work perfectly with your site’s overall design and functionality.

Custom Showit website: I recommend investing in a custom design if you need unique features. It’ll ensure the features are fully integrated, reliable, and tailored to your needs.

Showit template: If your website needs are straightforward, a template is a quick way to get your site up with the basic functionality you need.

06. How important is a unique brand identity to my business?

Because I’m a brand and web designer, I’m always designing brands with the full picture in mind. I often even have a clear vision for a website layout as I’m designing a brand. Not only that, I do competitor research to make sure you stand out from others in your industry.

Your brand identity sets you apart from competitors and communicates your business’s personality, values, and vision. If a memorable brand presence is important to you, a custom website is be the best choice. It allows every element to reflect your brand’s unique character and message.

Before purchasing a template that you think could fit with your branding, I recommend taking a look at others in your industry. Does it stand out from the rest? Are there other business owners you know using the same (or a very similar) template?

Website templates allow you to adjust colors, fonts, and images, but can be limiting. That is, unless you really customize the template, which might just defeat the purpose. 

A custom website ensures a cohesive and engaging experience that resonates with your target audience. Plus, it’ll be totally aligned with your branding, for a seamless experience for your audience.

Custom Showit website: A custom website is the best way to ensure your website is truly one-of-a-kind and aligned with your brand. If establishing a unique brand identity is a priority for your business, go with a web designer.

Showit template: A template will give you a professional looking website. So if your brand identity can be communicated with minor customizations, or if budget and time constraints are more pressing, go for a website template!

07. How critical is SEO for my business?

Especially in 2024, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) should be a primary consideration when you’re putting your business online. It can drive organic traffic to your website, improving your visibility on search engines attracting your dream customers or clients.

If ranking well on search engines is important to you, a custom website has advantages. Custom sites are typically built with SEO best practices in mind. This means your website will be SEO optimized for better search engine rankings.

While Showit templates may be designed with basic SEO features, they typically don’t offer the same level of flexibility or performance as a custom Showit website. This might limit your ability to optimize specific elements crucial to SEO. However, if you know your primary audience is not going to find you through a Google search, and you’re okay with that, this might not be a priority for you!

Custom Showit website: If SEO is important to your business, a custom-designed website will give you the best basis to maximize your search engine rankings and driving organic traffic.

Showit template: If your SEO needs are basic or you’re okay with your audience finding you through other avenues than Google searches, a template with built-in SEO features could be best for you.

08. How well does the template align with my industry and audience?

Your website shouldn’t just look pretty and convey information. It should resonate with your target audience and be effective at converting those connections into sales.

If you’re a photographer, you’re not going to have the best of luck with a Showit template that was designed for a catering company, and vice versa. In a similar vein, if your brand’s vibe is whimsical and fun, you may not have great results using a clean, modern template.

Templates are designed to appeal to a broad range of users, so they often lack the tailored approach that your business really needs. However, there are so many templates out there that you’re likely to find one you love. The only question is whether it will stand out, or be something your audience has seen before. 

On the other hand, a custom designed website allows for specific research into your industry and your audience’s preferences. So you can be assured your website will always speak directly to your customers in their own language, verbally and visually.

Custom Showit website: If you want a totally aligned brand experience for your audience, custom web design is the best way to get a website that’s both relevant and compelling.

Showit template: If the template already aligns well with your industry and audience, it can be an efficient way to quickly publish a professional and appealing website.

09. Am I planning to rebrand or make significant updates in the near future?

If a rebrand or major update is on the horizon, it’s important to choose a solution that offers flexibility and scalability. A custom-designed website is typically more adaptable to changes, but those might come with a cost when your web designer has to make updates. 

Templates may not be as easy to update or adapt to a rebrand. The predefined structure of a template can limit your ability to make big changes without starting from scratch. However, a template is a great idea if you need a temporary website to go live before you nail down the details of your rebrand or make a big change. 

Custom Showit website: If you want a future-proof website that can adapt and grow with your business, go with a custom website. 

Showit template: If you know you’re going to make big changes in the future and just want a professional website live, go for a template.

10. How important is it to have a website that evolves with my business?

Consider how important it is for your website to evolve alongside your business. As your business grows and changes, your website will need to adapt. You might need to add new products, services, branding, or adapt to shifts in your target audience.

Templates might lack the flexibility you need or go out of trend quickly. This could mean starting over with a new template or investing in additional web design work. Both can be costly and time-consuming.

For businesses where adaptability is key, a custom-designed website allows for ongoing updates without compromising the performance of your site. Your website will be able to grow alongside your business and support your long-term success.

Custom Showit website: If having a website that can evolve with your business is a priority, investing in a custom design will give you a dynamic, scalable, and aligned website.

Showit template: If your business is relatively stable and doesn’t require frequent updates, a template might be a smart move!

There are plenty of good reasons to choose a template or work with a web designer. I may be biased, as a brand and web designer. But I believe businesses determined to grow are best prepared for that with a custom web design. But ultimately, the choice is up to you! I hope these questions can help you determine which path is right for your business.

Inquire with me here to begin the process of designing your dream custom Showit website.