Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business
A question people sometimes ask is why I choose to use Showit instead of another platform available for website design, for example, Squarespace. There definitely isn’t a yes/no answer to this question but if I had to sum up my thoughts in one sentence I would say: Showit gives you complete creative control and the freedom to integrate the exact tools your business needs. Squarespace has built-in features but limited design flexibility, from my experience.
Heres why I recommend Showit to my clients…
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.
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 remember to think about which one serves your specific business goals and growth plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Showit or Squarespace better for a service-based business?
It depends on what you prioritise (and please remeber that I use Showit so I am more familiar with the platform than I am with Squarespace). In my experience I find that Showit gives you significantly more design freedom and it connects with WordPress for blogging, which is one of the strongest SEO setups available. Squarespace is more all-in-one — everything lives under one roof, which some people find simpler to manage. For service businesses where design and brand distinction matter, Showit is my recommendation.
Is Showit harder to use than Squarespace?
Both platforms have a learning curve. I find that Showit gives you more control, which means more to learn initially, but many people find the interface intuitive once they’re familiar with it. Squarespace is generally considered easier to pick up quickly but more restrictive unless you can code. The right choice depends on how much design control matters to you and how much time you’re willing to invest in learning the platform.
Does Showit have a blog?
Showit doesn’t have its own native blogging system. Instead, it integrates with WordPress for blogging, which gives you access to one of the most powerful blogging and SEO platforms available.
Is Showit good for SEO?
Yes, I have always found Showit good for SEO. You can easily write your meta titles and descriptions for each page and you can easily tag all of your text correctly and add image names and alt text. Showit’s blog integration also gives you access to advanced SEO plugins and tools. That said, the platform is only part of the picture. Good SEO also comes down to your content, your structure and how consistently you add to it over time.
Can I switch from Squarespace to Showit?
Yes but not by just telling it to move everything over. Your content will need to be rebuilt in Showit rather than automatically transferred. If you’re considering switching platforms, it’s worth doing alongside a redesign so the transition adds value rather than just duplicating what you already have. I have moved clients websites onto Showit multiple times so I can do definitely do this for you. and you can keep the same domain name when you move your website!
Which platform is cheaper? Showit or Squarespace?
Pricing between the two is broadly similar, so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. Both are subscription-based with monthly or annual billing options. The more important question is which platform gives you the right setup for your business?
Do I need a designer to use Showit?
No. Showit has templates you can customise yourself if you’re comfortable with a DIY approach. That said, working with a designer who specialises in Showit means you get the full benefit of the platform’s design freedom rather than being limited by your own familiarity with the builder. If you’re considering DIY, my template shop has options built specifically for service businesses. If you’d prefer someone to build it for you, get in touch and we can talk through your options.
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
