How To Choose The Right Showit Template
There is no understating the importance of a website for your business. The data shows that half of internet users decide the credibility of a business based on its website. So, potentially a bad website could immediately cost you half of your business leads. That’s some high stakes right there. Since you already know why you should use Showit for your small business website (and if not you can find out HERE), here’s a quick guide on how to choose the right Showit template for you.
The next question most new businesses have is whether or not they should use a Showit template or spring for the custom website design. My quick response is: If you’re a new business and your services are relatively mainstream to your industry, go with a Showit template. If you’re an established business looking to level up OR you offer services starkly different from others in your industry, then you need a custom website design. I hope that helps!
Next, onto the template choosing guide! This is not a perfect system, but it will help you look at Showit templates beyond how they initially look. Part of my Showit Template Customization service includes helping clients find the perfect template, so this advice is based off of what I often end up talking to those clients about.
A Guide To Choosing The Perfect Showit Template For your Business
1. Don’t let the industry it’s marketed to discourage you from considering it.
When designers make website templates, we need to design for a specific client. It helps us think through a style, layout, sales strategy, etc. So, you will often see websites marketed as being for wedding planners or social media managers or coaches.
But don’t get caught in only looking at the sites for your industry!
So long as the website template has the pages you need, you should consider it. In fact, since most people will choose a website template marketed to their industry, simply choosing one from a different industry is a great way to stand out.
2. Visualize the template with your brand design.
Most people don’t take the time to do this, but it’s worth it. If you like a particular Showit website template, stop to consider it with your branding. How will it look in your brand colors? How will your brand fonts change it? Do you like the way it looks in your head or do you only like the way it looks as is?
This can be frustrating because it can rule out some Showit templates that you love. But, your website will last you so much longer and serve your business so much better if you spend the time to do this.
3. Look at the role photos play in this website.
This is particularly important for new businesses who simply don’t have a ton of photos yet. If a Showit template is chock full of photos, but you’ve only got a handful of images to work with you need to make a plan.
If you love the website template and think it will serve your business well but you don’t have the photos, then it’s time to plan a branding photo session. Sure, you can use stock photography to great effect on your website, but your whole site cannot be stock photos! If this is the route you go, wait until you’ve got those branding photos ready before you customize your Showit template.
If you know that your business isn’t a visual one and photos will never be a priority, scroll past any photo heavy templates and keep hunting. You’ll never be able to make a photo heavy Showit template look good without the photos.
4. Make sure it includes the infrastructure you need.
Before you start template shopping, make a list of the pages you want. Then, make a list of the pages you think you’ll need in the next three years if you have the incredible growth you’re working towards. Now, make sure any template you choose has ALL of those pages.
Also, please double check that the template offers a blog if you think you’ll ever want one! Another thing to double check is that it’s not a one page website (unless that’s what you’re looking for). One page websites often still use a top navigation menu so they can look like a multi-page website. Most likely you’ll need a multi-page website, so make sure that’s what you pick!
5. Dig around on the demo site.
Once you’ve narrowed your website template hunt down to a few options, be sure to really dig around on the demo sites. Check out any customizable options that are included. Here’s a couple items to check:
- Do you like the footer?
- Does it include a Call To Action canvas?
- If you offer a freebie, is there a space for that already designed?
- When you move through the site, does it feel clear and like it’s moving you towards conversion?
- Is there any part of it that feels off or confusing? (You can always change or eliminate those parts, but you want to make sure they’re not connected to anything important, like your contact form.)
6. Look at the Showit template on desktop and mobile
You know that clients are going to find you on both desktop and mobile, so make sure you like the way it looks on both places. Often times a great desktop template will be so underwhelming on your phone, and that can really help you make a decision.
7. Check out the feedback and reviews.
Some Showit template shops include reviews and will even show you how previous purchasers customized it for their business. Reading through those reviews is another way to help you decide if you’ve found the right Showit template for you and your business.
For places without reviews, don’t sweat it. If you love the template and the shop is reputable, go for it. Several online shops don’t share reviews for a number of valid reasons.
8. Find a discount code!
I have yet to find a Showit template shop that doesn’t offer a discount code! Do some hunting on Pinterest or through Google to see if you can find a discount code for your website template shop. If you’d like, you can check out my Resource page. I have affiliate accounts with several excellent Showit template shops that give my readers a discount! Some are up to 25%!
9. Book your professional Showit Template Customization.
This is totally optional, but highly recommended. And while I offer this service, this isn’t even a sales pitch for using me. Hiring any professional (reputable) web designer to customize your Showit template will take your website from good to undeniable.
Having a professional website designer customize your Showit template is the most cost effective way to get a high-end, tailored website for your business. And, if you do want to book me, you can reach me here. I love making websites look great and convert sales. I genuinely hope this helped you know how to choose the right Showit template for your business.
Helpful Links
- Get all my small business resources
- Work with me on your brand and website design
- Shop my illustrations and graphics
- Find inspiration on my Pinterest
- Connect with me on Instagram
Quietly doing good work in my own little corner of the internet.
Having been a visual artist for over 10 years, I know that every part of a brand (even the parts that are often unseen) deserve to be expressed with honesty and beauty. I am happiest standing behind the scenes, creating every design and detail for focused and intentional business owners. I created EP Design to stand beside visionaries and thought leaders who are fueled by joy.
