Squarespace vs Showit: Which Website Platform Is Best for Creatives?

Let’s be real — choosing the right website platform when you’re a creative business owner is kind of like dating in your 30s.
You know what you don’t want... but you’re not totally sure who’s worth committing to long-term.

Should you keep it sleek and streamlined with Squarespace?
Or go full custom-and-cute with Showit?

As a web and branding designer based in Austin, I’ve worked with dozens of creatives, influencers, and service providers who were either:

• Completely overwhelmed by their website options

• Using a platform that didn’t fit their needs anymore

• Trying to DIY a high-end brand experience (and feeling stuck)

So let’s break down the two most popular platforms I recommend — Squarespace and Showit — and figure out which one is the best match for you.

Quick Overview

Feature Squarespace Showit Ease of Use Beginner-friendly, all-in-one Visual drag-and-drop, more creative freedom Design Flexibility Great for simple layouts Excellent for fully custom, layered design Blogging Built-in blog tools Powered by WordPress (hello, SEO options) E-commerce Built-in shop tools Requires integration (ex: Shopify, Thrivecart) SEO Good, straightforward tools Excellent via WordPress backend Mobile Optimization Automatic and clean Manual control (great, but needs checking) Support Fast, friendly email/chat support Helpful Showit team + extensive tutorials Best For Minimalist brands, service pros, simple shops Visual brands, photographers, stylists, coaches

Why You Might Love Squarespace

Squarespace is like that person who shows up on time, is never too flashy, and makes a great plus-one at any event. Reliable, clean, and always put together.

Why it works for creatives:

• Easy-to-use templates that still feel modern

• Built-in everything: blog, SEO, email marketing, scheduling, commerce

• Great for people who get overwhelmed by too many choices

• Mobile-friendly out of the box

But here’s the catch:
Squarespace doesn’t love letting you break the grid. If you want to do anything super custom (overlapping text, animated layers, fun collage layouts), you’ll hit a wall unless you know CSS. So if you’re trying to build a brand that looks as creative as your work, this might feel a bit limiting.

Why You Might Love Showit

Showit is the cool artist at the party who shows up in vintage boots and makes you rethink your entire closet. It’s visually stunning, creative, and completely customizable — no coding required.

Why it works for creatives:

• Full drag-and-drop freedom — move anything anywhere

• Built for photographers, coaches, and visual brands

• WordPress-powered blog = SEO potential galore

• Separate mobile design (looks exactly how you want on any device)

The trade-off:
Showit has a steeper learning curve than Squarespace, and you’ll need to handle some outside integrations (like Shopify for a store or ConvertKit for emails). But the payoff is a site that truly feels one-of-a-kind.

So... Which One Should You Use?

Choose Squarespace if you:

• Want to launch quickly and keep it simple

• Offer services and need a clean, modern portfolio

• Prefer to stick with built-in tools (no plugins or external apps)

• Don’t plan on customizing every detail of your design

Choose Showit if you:

• Are a visual thinker who wants full control of the layout

• Have a strong brand identity and want your site to reflect it

• Blog regularly and care about SEO

• Want a designer to build something that truly feels custom

What I Recommend as a Designer

When I work with creatives scaling their business — especially those in Austin or other creative hubs — I usually start with this question:

Do you want to stand out and express your brand visually? Or do you want something polished and functional that’s fast to update yourself?

If you’re just getting started or want something minimalist and beautiful — Squarespace is your go-to.
If you’ve outgrown the DIY phase, want to raise your prices, and are ready for a brand that reflects who you really are — Showit is where the magic happens.

Either way, I’ve got you.

Need Help Choosing (or Building) the Right Site?

I design custom websites for creative entrepreneurs, coaches, influencers, and service providers who are scaling to the next level. Whether you go with Squarespace or Showit, I’ll make sure your site:

• Reflects the real value of your work

• Turns visitors into paying clients

• Feels aligned, intentional, and totally on-brand

I’m currently booking 5 new design clients this month.

If you’re ready for a website that works for you,
Tap here to book your spot, or DM me “WEBSITE” on Instagram and we’ll chat.

Blog Categories:

• Website Design Tips

• Business Tools for Creatives

Tags:

• Squarespace vs Showit

• Website platforms for creatives

• Best website builder for influencers

• Austin web designer

• Showit designer

• Squarespace tips

• SEO for creatives

• Visual branding tools

Suggested Internal Links:

• Link “custom websites” to your services/sales page

• Link “raising your prices” to a blog post about brand positioning or scaling

• Link “reflect who you really are” to your branding portfolio or brand design page

• Link “website that works for you” to your inquiry form

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a downloadable guide, email series, or Pinterest pin set. Want help uploading and formatting it beautifully on your blog? I can walk you through that too!