Showit vs. Squarespace: Which One is Better for Coaches and Consultants?

Mar 5

If you’re a coach or consultant looking for a new website, choosing the right platform to stand out in the crowded online space can feel like a huge decision. Today, we're diving deep into the "Showit vs. Squarespace" debate to help you figure out which platform is the perfect fit for your online presence. As a Squarespace website designer that often works with coaches and consultants in my own business, I might have a little bit of a bias but keep reading and you’ll see why! In my humble opinion, too often business owners are focusing on the flashiness of Showit and are ignoring the lack of features they use (and need) in their business.

Don’t worry - I’m going to break down what I mean in this Showit vs. Squarespace comparison below.

Landing page for doula Peyton Callahan to demonstrate design when it comes to Showit vs. Squarespace

A Look at Squarespace:

First, Let’s kick things off with Squarespace. This platform has seriously upped its game, so if you’re picturing the “old square websites”, think again my friend! The latest updates to Squarespace have introduced a level of customization that rivals bespoke designs, making it a fantastic tool for those who need their site to evolve alongside their business. The newest editor is a game-changer: it's super flexible and easier than ever to use. Plus, Squarespace has been built for a WIDE range of industries, and has features far beyond what a typical website platform has in 2024 (which we will talk more about below!).

Read on here for some Squarespace website examples!

Now, Let's Talk About Showit Design:

The reason that Showit’s been making a splash (and has become the latest shiny object in the website design space), is because of the drag-and-drop ease. This makes your website design feel as easy as Canva in theory. But let’s be real, just because it’s drag-and-drop, doesn’t mean you don’t need to hire a designer. After all, bad design happens REGARDLESS of which platform you choose! In fact, some find the endless options in Showit more overwhelming than it is helpful. While Showit offers creative freedom, this freedom comes with its complexities, especially when ensuring your site looks great on both desktop and mobile platforms since mobile needs to be designed separately.

Need Easier Landing Pages? Squarespace Wins!

Because you don’t need to design desktop and mobile separately, Squarespace is the better option for simple landing pages if your business creates products, services, or courses that require things like waitlists or a simple sign up form. On top of that, Squarespace has the ability to collect emails for you, so you don’t need to (necessarily) have another email marketing tool you’re paying for to collect names.

Showit vs. Squarespace for Online Courses and Memberships

When it comes to functionality, Showit was clearly originally made for photographers in that they don’t have a lot of the functions and features a more advanced website developer might have (like Squarespace). For example, if you want to sell courses or digital products on Showit, you're looking at roping in additional plugins, which means not only more tasks on your to-do list but also an uptick in your expenses. Imagine needing a separate shop plugin or software, like shelling out a cool $500 for ThriveCart or adding a $10/month subscription charge with Shopify. It's here that Squarespace steals the spotlight, offering a sleek solution by letting you host internal memberships and courses right on your site. This feature alone can potentially save you from forking over $50 to $250 monthly on external course hosting platforms.

Squarespace website designer Emily Agan in motion as she leans over chair in minimal room.

Showit vs. Squarespace: Blogging and Debunking SEO Myths

Standing out in a saturated market is no small feat, and writing authority-building blog posts is an important part of your online marketing strategy. In my opinion, writing blog posts on Squarespace feels intuitive and straightforward, allowing you to channel your energy into producing content that truly resonates with your audience. And if you've ever heard whispers of Squarespace not being as good for SEO, let's set the record straight: that's a myth! Squarespace has also seriously upped its SEO game, introducing a brand new Chrome extension called "SEOspace" (similar to Yoast SEO for wordpress!). This tool empowers you to fine-tune your site’s blog and SEO settings in a user-friendly environment, ensuring your content reaches its intended audience.

With Showit, blogging takes place on Wordpress which is a bit more complicated. Additionally, you will likely need to use plugins to get the exact look or features you want. When writing your blog posts, you can’t always “see” what the finished post will look like because of the way Showit and Wordpress work together (which may or may not bother you as you’re writing!).

Need help with blogging? Click here for an ultimate Squarespace blog writing checklist!

Showit vs. Squarespace

Deciding between Showit vs. Squarespace? It boils down to your needs. If you're hunting for something that's flexible, user-friendly, and scales with your business, Squarespace might just be what you're looking for. Squarespace offers a blend of beauty and functionality, making it a strong contender for those who value ease of use and integrated features. On the other hand, Showit provides unparalleled design freedom, ideal for those prioritizing unique visual branding.

But here’s the kicker: no matter which platform you choose, what truly matters is how you use it to reflect your unique style and message. That’s where I come in! Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek one-page website or want a little extra support with VIP days, I’m here to help!

Already sold on Squarespace? Start your free trial here. Plus, save 10% off your first subscription of a website or domain by using code PARTNER10. (Yes, that’s an affiliate link!)