How to Choose a Showit Website Template That Won’t Hurt Your SEO

Let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked when you’re shopping for a Showit website template: SEO. Even the prettiest design won’t do much for your business if no one can find it. And when your goal is to attract dream clients while you sleep, search engine optimization isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Today, we’re breaking down how to choose a Showit template that has a good starting point for SEO, what to avoid while customizing it, and how to make sure your site doesn’t just look good, but performs, too.

Before we get to the good stuff, hi, I’m Chelsea, the founder behind Lennox Creative Co. and a certified Showit Design Partner. I help creatives like you build Showit websites that don’t just look stunning, but actually work to bring in dream clients. Whether you’re customizing one of our SEO-ready Showit templates or want us to handle the heavy lifting with a Website in a Week, you’re in the right place to create a site that’s both beautiful and designed to be found.

Why SEO Matters When Using a Showit Website Template

Your website should be working for you 24/7. That includes showing up in search results when potential clients are doing late night Googling. Strong SEO helps make that happen, and Showit gives you the tools to set yourself up for success.

But here’s the catch: not every template is designed with SEO in mind. Choosing the right foundation (and customizing it wisely) makes all the difference between a site that books dream clients and one that collects dust.

Not sure if you should DIY your site or bring in a pro? We broke down the pros and cons of both paths to help you decide.

How to Tell if a Showit Website Template Supports SEO

The best Showit website templates do more than look good. They’re designed with structure in mind. Mobile responsiveness is a must since Google ranks based on mobile-first indexing. If your template doesn’t hold up well on phones and tablets, you’re already starting with a disadvantage.

You’ll also want a template that uses heading tags properly, like H1s for main page headings and H2s or H3s for section headings. These create a clear content hierarchy that search engines (and your readers) can follow. On top of that, look for designs that leave space for real, editable text. It’s tempting to fill your site with images and graphics, but search engines need written content to understand what your business is all about.

Clean code matters, too. While Showit’s drag-and-drop builder makes customization easy, the underlying structure still affects how your site is crawled and indexed. A well-built template will organize your content clearly, keeping things running smoothly for both visitors and search engines.

SEO Sabotaging Mistakes

Even with the right Showit website template, it’s easy to lose SEO ground during customization. Here are a few mistakes to watch for:

• Using images instead of text: If your headlines or key info are part of an image, search engines won’t recognize them. Your Showit website template should include real, editable text blocks, use them.
• Adding new text elements and not setting the proper text tag: On Showit, adding a Title text automatically tags the element as H1, Headings as H2 and Subheading as H3. This can make a mess of your page hierarchy if the text tags aren’t fixed and can negatively affect your SEO.
• Skipping alt text: Every photo needs a short, clear alt tag. It helps search engines understand your content and makes your site more accessible.
• Leaving page titles and meta descriptions blank: These appear in search results and play a big role in whether someone clicks through to your site. Customize them for each page to reflect your content and keywords.
• Ignoring mobile layout: If your design looks great on desktop but falls apart on mobile, both your user experience and search visibility will take a hit. Always check your layout on different devices.

When you’re using a Showit website template, getting these basics right helps protect your visibility, build trust with visitors, and makes sure your site performs as good as it looks.

Curious what else might be holding your site back? We rounded up the most common SEO mistakes photographers make, and how to fix them.

Customizing Without Losing SEO Ground

Personalizing your Showit website template doesn’t have to come at the cost of your SEO. With a few thoughtful steps, you can make your site feel like you while keeping it search-friendly.

Start by using the heading structure built into your template. Headings are meant to guide both your visitors and search engines through your content. Use them in order: H1 for your main title, followed by H2s and H3s to organize supporting information.

As you write your copy, focus on using natural, keyword-rich text across key pages like your homepage, about page, and services. These sections carry a lot of SEO weight and give you space to include the words your clients are searching for.

When it comes to images, be intentional. Name your files with clear, descriptive titles (like “los-angeles-wedding-photographer” instead of “IMG_3456”) and always fill in the alt text field. This adds extra context for search engines and improves accessibility.

And as you customize, keep checking your mobile layout. Even small changes can shift how things look on a phone. If you’re planning to blog regularly, consider integrating WordPress with your Showit site. It’s the best of both worlds when it comes to design flexibility and SEO power.

Showit Website Templates That Support Strong SEO

We design all of our Showit website templates to balance form and function. Whether you’re a photographer, wedding pro, planner, or another kind of creative, each one gives you room to tell your story, showcase your work, and be found online.

• Lumi is bold and modern, perfect for photographers and videographers who want visual impact and clear calls to action.
• Keepsake brings a soft, serene vibe that’s ideal for family and newborn photographers, with thoughtful layouts that support strong SEO copy.
• Unveiled is timeless and elegant, made for wedding planners who want a refined, service-led Showit website template that feels as polished as their client experience.
• Stride is high-energy and strategic, built for creatives like coaches or social media managers who need clarity and conversion.
• San Sebastián leads with earthy warmth and image-first design while still giving plenty of space for searchable content.
• Sun Chaser blends lifestyle visuals with smart structure, perfect for travel-inspired brands who want both story and strategy.
• Cascadia is grounded, immersive, and built for adventurous creatives. A strong choice for elopement or destination photographers who want their site to do more.

No matter which one you choose, every template includes a mobile-optimized layout, SEO-ready structure, and built-in resources to help you launch confidently.

Template vs. Strategy: Why Design Alone Isn’t Enough

A well-designed Showit website template gives you a strong start, but it’s strategy that drives results. Without SEO in place, even the best design can go unseen, and a poorly structured template can slow you down no matter how great your content is.

Here’s the difference a strategy makes:

• A great template sets the stage, but your content needs to do the talking. That means writing for your dream client and organically using keywords that help them find you.
• SEO structure matters. Without proper headings, text spacing, and mobile layout, search engines can miss key parts of your site.
• Strategic updates keep your site strong. As your business grows, your content and optimization should grow with it.

If you’ve already started customizing one of our Showit website templates and want to make sure it’s set up to perform, our Designer’s Touch service is the perfect next step (only available to our template customers). It’s a one-time cleanup where we step in to clean up your layout, check all of your text tags and ensure everything flows smoothly from a strategic and visual standpoint. You’ll walk away with a site that feels cohesive and works hard behind the scenes. It’s ideal if you’ve done most of the work already, but want a professional to clean things up before you launch. Designer’s Touch is available for purchase at checkout with any of our templates, or you can reach out to us anytime to request it.

Build a Beautiful Site That Performs, Too

You don’t have to choose between a site that looks good and one that performs. With the right Showit website template, smart customization, and a bit of SEO strategy, you can have both.

Our Showit website templates are built with both beauty and strategy in mind, so you can launch a site that looks amazing and helps you get found online. And if you’d rather skip the setup and hand it off to the pros, our Website in a Week service takes care of the entire process for you.

Ready to build a site that works as hard as you do? Take a peek at our templates or reach out if you want help picking the best fit for you and your business. You’ll also find more tips and design inspo waiting over on Instagram.