Squarespace vs Showit vs WordPress: What Platform Should You Choose for Your Website?

No fluff. No bias. Just real talk from someone who actually designs in all 3.

Let’s be real: the internet is full of “This platform is the BEST!!!” hot takes.

But here’s the truth: there is no one-size-fits-all website builder.

Just like you wouldn’t use the same diaper bag for a Target run and a beach trip, your website platform needs to fit your specific business stage, goals, and tech tolerance.

Lucky for you, I design in all three—Squarespace, Showit, and WordPress—so I can give you the honest breakdown.

Squarespace: The All-in-One Queen of Simplicity

Best for:
→ Service providers, creatives, and coaches who want a clean, easy-to-manage website
→ Business owners who want to DIY (or get it built once and keep it updated themselves)

Why people love it:

  • All-in-one (hosting, design, analytics)

  • Free templates and beautiful template shops with affordable templates

  • Drag-and-drop builder that’s not overwhelming

  • Built-in SEO tools

  • Fast to launch + easy to maintain

Why it might not be for you:

  • Less flexible than WordPress or Showit

  • Some customization limitations if you need fancy features or mega e-commerce setups

Melissa’s Take:
Squarespace is the ultimate “get-it-done and look good doing it” platform. If you're tired of tech drama and just want a sleek, strategic site that works—this is it. Especially powerful for service providers and passive income setups.

Showit: The Creative Control Queen

Best for:
→ Personal brands, creatives, and anyone who wants their site to look totally custom
→ People who care more about aesthetics than backend functionality

Why people love it:

  • Total design freedom (literally drag anything anywhere - up down, diagonal and everything in between)

  • Integrates with WordPress for blogging

  • Gorgeous mobile design tools

  • Great for photographers, designers, and visual-first brands

Why it might not be for you:

  • No built-in blogging (requires WordPress for that)

  • Not quite as beginner-friendly as Squarespace

  • No built-in e-commerce (but Shopify buy buttons or ThriveCart can be added)

Melissa’s Take:
Showit is where you go when you want the wow factor. If branding and visuals are your superpower, and you want a site that feels like a fully custom brand experience—this is the one. But it’s not the fastest or simplest if you’re short on time or tech patience.

WordPress (with Elementor): The Beast with the Most Flexibility

Best for:
→ Businesses that need full customization, advanced features, or scaling potential
→ Bloggers, content creators, or product-based businesses with lots of content or pages

Why people love it:

  • Total control over design + functionality

  • Endless plugin options

  • Great for SEO and blogging

  • Scalable for businesses with big future plans

Why it might not be for you:

  • Maintenance required (updates, backups, plugin issues)

  • Can be overwhelming if you’re not tech-savvy

  • Higher risk of site breaks if not set up properly

Melissa’s Take:
WordPress is powerful—but you need to know what you’re doing (or hire someone who does). If you’ve got a complex business model or need serious backend power, WordPress is unmatched. But if you're just starting out and want to move quickly? You’ll likely spend more time setting it up than scaling your business.

So... Which One Should You Use?

Let’s make it easy:

YOU WANT...

To DIY fast and keep things simpleChoose Squarespace

YOU WANT…

A creative, totally custom look → Choose Showit

YOU WANT…

Full control + flexibility (and don’t mind a little tech) → Choose WordPress

Final Word: The Website Platform Doesn’t Make You Money. The Strategy Does.

You can have the prettiest site in the world, but if it doesn’t convert—it’s just digital decor.

No matter which platform you choose, what really matters is:

✅ A clear message
✅ A site built for conversion
✅ A strategy that drives traffic and sales

Need help figuring out which one fits your business best—or want it built for you? I offer done-for-you website design in Squarespace, Showit, AND WordPress. Whether you want to DIY with support or hand it all over, we’ll get your site up, selling, and working hard for your business.

Get more Information about our Done-for-you packages here.

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