If you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of “which website platform should I use,” you’re in the right place. I’ve designed on both Showit and Squarespace for clients. Honestly, they’re both solid. But they do serve very different types of business owners, and over time I’ve developed some very clear opinions about where each one shines, and who works best with each respective platform.

Here’s my rambling of pros and cons, as someone who builds, refreshes, and fixes websites literally all the time.

Squarespace: My Go-To When You Need Something Polished + Low-Maintenance

Squarespace is the platform I recommend when a client tells me:

• “I want my website to look good, but I don’t want to babysit it.”
• “I don’t have the time or tech brain for complicated tools.”
• “I just need a clean, credible website that works.”

Honestly? Squarespace delivers.

Where Squarespace falls short:

• Customization is way limited. If you’re dreaming of a super unique, editorial, totally-your-own website, you’ll hit design walls fast.
• Getting something to look truly custom usually requires CSS or wonky workarounds, which make the updates afterward a bit more difficult.
• If you’re a hyper-visual brand (photographers, wedding pros, etc.), the layout flexibility might feel too boxed-in.

TL;DR: Squarespace is your girl if you want a clean, straightforward website that’s easy to maintain and looks great without a ton of labor.

Showit: My Choice When You Want Full Creative Freedom

Showit is basically Canva for websites, and I f*cking love Canva, — but elevated. It gives you total control over your layout on both desktop and mobile. You can drag things anywhere, layer elements, create movement, and actually design instead of rearranging pre-made blocks.

I reach for Showit when a client says:

• “I want a standout brand experience.”
• “I want my website to feel more like a portfolio or magazine.”
• “I want total freedom with layout and visuals.”

Where Showit falls short:

• It’s not an all-in-one. You’ll rely on outside tools for things like e-commerce and some integrations.
• More freedom = more time. Designing in Showit takes longer because you’re creating everything from scratch.
• If you’re not a designer, the blank canvas can feel overwhelming. (enter, moi, ready to make something unique)

TL;DR: If brand storytelling and visual identity matter deeply to you, and you want a “wow” website, Showit will spoil you. But it does require more time and attention.

Which One Do I Prefer?

Honestly… it depends on the client and the season of their business.

If you’re a service provider or creative who wants a website that feels like an extension of your brand — something emotional, modern, and custom — I’ll almost always nudge you toward Showit.

If you’re still figuring out your footing on who your business is, what your brand feels like, I’ll steer you towards Squarespace.

For my own business as a designer/content strategist?
I love Squarespace for how quickly I can spin up something functional
…but I love Showit for the creative control and elevated experiences I can create.

Which One Should You Choose?

Everyone has different needs when it comes to standing up a website. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I want full design freedom or do I want the simplest path?
   • Freedom → Showit
   • Simplicity → Squarespace
2. How custom do I want my brand to feel online?
   • High-end, editorial, unique → Showit
   • Clean, credible, modern → Squarespace
3. How comfortable am I maintaining a site long-term?
   • Not very → Squarespace
   • Happy to learn → Showit
4. Do I have the budget/time to invest in design?
   • Limited time → Squarespace
   • Willing to invest → Showit

My Real-World Recommendation

If you’re a creative business, a wedding pro, a coach, or someone whose brand is a key part of your marketing?

→ Showit is the way to go.

If you just need something clean, reliable, and easy to update?

→ Squarespace is your best friend.

Both can absolutely look gorgeous, but the question is what you want your website to do for you.

Showit vs. Squarespace: Side-By-Side Comparison

TL;DR: For the folks who prefer chart format over my rambling blog post.

Category	Showit	Squarespace
Design Freedom	Total creative freedom. Drag, drop, layer, fully custom layouts on both desktop and mobile.	Structured templates. Polished but more “within the box.” Limited layout flexibility without custom coding.
Ease of Use	Easy to learn visually, but more time-intensive because everything is custom.	Very beginner-friendly. Build a professional site quickly.
Creative Control	Ideal for service providers, photographers, creatives, and luxury brands who want something unique + editorial.	Best for simple, modern, minimalistic sites. Great for straightforward personal or business websites.
Mobile Design	Fully custom. You design mobile separately (which is a huge perk for brand builders).	Auto-responsive. Can’t fully customize mobile layouts.
SEO Tools	Integrates with WordPress for powerful blogging + SEO plugin options.	Built-in SEO fields, solid basics, simpler to manage for non-technical users.
Blogging	Uses WordPress, meaning tons of flexibility and features.	Clean, easy native blogging system. Great for beginners.
E-Commerce	Requires third-party integrations. Best for selling a few digital products or services.	Built-in e-commerce options for small shops (physical + digital).
Integrations	Lots of creative flexibility but may require connecting outside apps/tools.	Everything’s built in: scheduling, commerce, forms, memberships, email (depending on plan).
Hosting + Security	Managed hosting through Showit + WordPress backend for blog.	Fully all-in-one: hosting, security, SSL, updates. No extra setup needed.
Learning Curve	Medium: more design freedom = more things to manage. Great for designers or visual thinkers.	Low: great for DIYers or anyone who wants a quick, low-maintenance setup.
Best For	Creative brands, luxury service providers, photographers, coaches, wedding pros, anyone wanting a statement-making site.	Small businesses, service providers, beginners, anyone who wants something easy + low-maintenance.
Overall Vibes	Custom, elevated, editorial, boutique.	Clean, modern, efficient, streamlined.