Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business

There definitely isn’t a yes/no answer to this question but if I had to sumup my thoughts in one sentence I would say: Squarespace is an all-in-one platform with built-in features but limited design flexibility, while Showit gives you complete creative control and the freedom to integrate the exact tools your business needs. 

In my opinion, there are positives and negatives to both platforms so let’s get into the details…

01. Pricing

Pricing between the two platforms is similar so cost is unlikely to be your deciding factor.

02. Features & Functions

Showit requires third-party integrations for features such as email campaigns, shop functions & course creation but this actually gives you more flexibility to choose specialist platforms for each function. While features aren’t built in, you can easily embed them. This gives you far more flexibility as you grow and your needs evolve. 

Squarespace comes with built-in features like cookie banners, shop functions, and course hosting. Everything lives under one roof.

03. Mobile friendly design

Mobile editing is particularly different between the platforms.

Showit easily lets you edit desktop and mobile designs separately – they actally encourage this, recognising the importance of both designs.  

Squarespace is slightly different. Whatever you change on desktop automatically affects mobile and it’s not as easy to create a bespoke mobile design unless you know how to code.

04. Design Freedom

Personally I think this is one of the biggest difference that will impact you when creating a website. his is related to my point above about mobile design and it is one of the biggest differences between the two platforms.

Showit gives you complete design control. You can create highly specific, custom layouts that truly reflect your brand without needing to code. This is particularly powerful for mobile design. you can edit desktop and mobile versions separately.

Squarespace does limit you slightly on the design side of things. They have created ‘grids’ which mean you can only move things within those grids – this can be helpful at time but also very limiting. To push beyond these constraints, you’ll need coding knowledge.

05. Your User Experience

In reality, how easy are these platforms to use?

I personally find Showit’s backend very intuitive. Everything is laid out logically and it’s designed for people who want control without needing technical expertise. PLUS, Showit connects you with real human support if you have any questions. 

Personally I find Squarespace’s backend a little less intuitive to navigate. Settings are buried in different menus and it’s not always obvious where to find what you need. This being said, I spend a lot more time on Showit so this could just be tat I am more comfortable using the Showit interface.

06. The Designer Factor

If you are working with a designer then their expertise matters. Many designers specialise in one platform and some even offer training to help you manage your site confidently after launch. So if you have a specific designer in mind then you are likely to be lead by their preference but if you know you want your website built on a particular platform then make sure to search for designers who specialise in that platform. 

I’ve built my business as a specialist Showit designer – not because Squarespace isn’t good but because Showit aligns with how I approach strategic, custom design for established service-based businesses.

My Recommendation on Showit vs Squaresapce

Squarespace is an excellent platform with genuine benefits and it works well for many businesses. I have used it myself in the past for certain clients and I’m sure I will use it again in the future for certain projects. 

Showit offers more design freedom and the freedom to choose platform that really work for your business and integrate them into your website. Showit is personally my number one choice

But always remeber to think about which one serves your specific business goals and growth plans.

Questions About Your Website?

I specialise in Showit design for service-based businesses. If you’d like to chat about your options or explore working together, book a free enquiry call.

lucy@lainscreative.co.uk

lainscreative.co.uk