How to choose a Showit website template for your small business? Isn’t that the question of the year! With so many templates being launched every day, it can be a bit overwhelming knowing where to start or choosing what’s best for your business.

Wait a moment — what exactly is Showit? And what’s a website template?

Showit is a customizable website design platform empowering small business owners and creatives to design the website of their dreams. Essentially if you are familiar with Canva, it has similar drag-and-drop design functionality to help design the website of your dreams. Not to mention, it’s integrated with WordPress for powerful blogging capabilities.

Meaning, it’s really a win-win!

If you are looking for a new website and don’t have the means to invest in custom design just this moment, a website template might just be the right option for you. A website template is essentially a pre-made template by a professional designer that you can purchase and install immediately on your website hosting platform, such as Showit, Squarespace, WordPress, etc. It is designed strategically in a way where you are able to swap out the content with your own images, content, and copy.

Not sure what you need? Check out my previous post: Custom Website vs Website Templates: What Should You Choose?

Today, I want to share 5 things to look for before investing in a Showit website template.

1. Functionality

Shopping for a website template is similar to buying an actual house. It’s not so much about the cosmetics (aka colors, fonts, imagery) but more about the features.

For example, if you are into hosting, you would most likely want to purchase a house that has an open concept living room + kitchen! The cupboards, shelves, island can all be redesigned and might not be as a priority than a wall.

Knowing that, here are some questions you may want to think about in terms of a features of a website template:

• Do you want a top navigation header or a pop-out header?
• Do you want a 3×3 blog home page design or single post scroll?
• Do you want a blog sidebar?
• Do you want a carousel testimonial slider or a stacked layout?
• Do you want a sliding gallery, vertical gallery, or a full page gallery?
• Do you need a sales page? Or a dedicated portfolio page?

Despite Showit being 100% customizable and that you can redesign the template to whatever you want, it may save you time & energy choosing a template that already have these features built for you!

2. Flow

When selecting a website template, the flow of the template is crucial because experience is everything, especially when you aren’t physically there to walk your visitor through your website.

So, how do you determine if the flow of the website template works for your business?

Know your website goal.

• Are you looking to book more discovery calls?
• Are you wanting more email subscribers in preparation for a course launch?
• Do you want visitors to read your blog posts?
• Do you have an online shop & are running a promotional sale?

Whatever your goal might be, choose a website template that helps you achieve that. For example, if you are looking to gain more email subscribers, there is a high chance the template you want is one that has multiple opt-in’s options!

3. Versatility

The next thing in choosing the right website template for your business is thinking about versatility. Not all templates are made equally. So, instead of fixating on imagery or general look and feel, look at each of the pages (and canvases) individually first, then as a whole.

• Does it offer multiple layouts and options across the whole site?
• How many pages does it include? Is it enough to get your website up and running – and more?
• Out of all those pages, how many sections (or canvases) are there? Is there enough versatlity throughout the template?

Your business WILL change and evolve as you do. So think beyond just the present and ensure your website template has enough website pages and canvases to grow with you.

As shown: The Adrienne Template for Coaches, Consultants, and Online Service-Based Business Owners

4. Competition

Before you hit “buy now” on that website template, DO make sure you do a quick market scan and analysis to see what your competitors’ websites look like.

Although you are two different businesses with different messaging, portfolio work, personalities and even positioning, you may not want to select an identical website template as them. And if you aren’t able to find an alternate website template that evokes the same vibe or look & feel, consider hiring a Showit Designer Partner (like me!) to customize the template to your brand creatively. We have some magic talents up our sleeves!

5. Support

The last factor you want to consider might be an obvious… but important anyhow. Choose a website template shop that offers good support and resources to help you get that website template up and running. The last thing you want is to make an investment then feel like you are left overwhelmed than you started in the first place.

We know how being left behind feels like. It’s not fun feeling like just a transaction.

When you purchase a Studio Crescent template, you get the following resources, in addition to your stylishly designed, SEO-optimized website!

• Brand Clarity Questionnaire
• Website Planner
• Launch Checklist
• 7-Part Email Bootcamp Series

🌟 Plus, access to me via email within 60 days of purchase! So yes – feel free to ask me any Q’s when you are designing your website! I’m here for you, friend!

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Interested in designing your website with a Showit website template?

Here are some of my go-to Showit template shops recommendations:

• Tonic Site Shop
• Northfolk
• Davey & Krista
• Vanilla & Oak
• Create with Danielle
• Lennox Design Co.
• … and to be completely biased… ours! Studio Crescent Shoppe

And don’t forget that you can also browse the Showit store for more inspiration!

🤫 Psst: Want to get your first month free on Showit? Sign up using my referral link here or use code: STUDIOCRESCENT.