DIY vs Hiring a Showit Designer: Which Route Should You Take?

If you’re building or refreshing your website, you’ve likely asked yourself this: Should I DIY or hire a Showit designer? It’s a big decision that affects everything, from how quickly you launch to how polished your final site feels. There’s no wrong answer, but one option might fit your current needs, schedule, and goals better than the other. Let’s walk through the key differences so you can choose the route that makes the most sense for you.

Hi, I’m Chelsea, founder of Lennox Creative Co. and a certified Showit Design Partner. We help creative business owners build websites that not only look beautiful, but actually move their business forward. Whether you’re going the DIY route or ready to hand things off, there’s no need to second-guess your next step. Our Showit templates make it easy to start strong, and our Website in a Week service is here when you’re ready for a fully custom, done-for-you experience. Need help deciding what’s right for you? Take a look at our portfolio or reach out, we’ll figure it out together.

Time & Tech Comfort Factor

One of the biggest differences in the DIY vs hiring a Showit designer decision is how much time and tech effort you’re willing (or able) to invest.

• DIY gives you full creative freedom. You control every piece of your site, from layout to styling. But you’ll also be learning the Showit platform, fixing layout quirks, and figuring out how to connect the dots as you go. If you’re comfortable with tech, enjoy design, and have the time to commit, this path can be rewarding.
• Hiring a Showit designer removes that learning curve. You hand off the process to someone who already knows what works, and how to build it quickly. No need to spend evenings tweaking margins or stressing over mobile formatting. It’s ideal if you’re short on time, overwhelmed by choices, or just want a website that feels professional without doing it all yourself.

And keep in mind, hiring a designer doesn’t always mean a fully custom build. You can choose a fully custom site, a semi-custom design (based on a template but tailored to your brand), or template customization where a pro takes your chosen template and refines it for you. All three options give you designer support at different investment levels.

Whichever route you choose, your time and comfort with learning Showit will play a big role. Be honest with yourself about what kind of support you need, and what you don’t want to spend your energy on.

Not sure if you need a template, semi-custom, or fully custom website? Learn the differences (and which option fits your business best) in this quick guide.

How DIY vs Hiring a Showit Designer Affects Your Brand Cohesion and Design Quality

A template gives you a beautiful starting point, but your customizations make or break the final look. It’s easy to accidentally misalign sections, mix font sizes, or stretch your brand colors in ways that feel off, even with a well-built template.

Designers bring structure and consistency across your entire site. Everything is intentional, from spacing and typography to how your visuals support your messaging. If your brand depends on aesthetics, that extra improvements goes a long way in making your site feel high-end and trustworthy.

When you’re weighing DIY vs hiring a Showit designer, think about how much design skill and attention to detail you can (or want to) bring to the process. A cohesive visual experience isn’t just about looks, it helps build trust, keep people on your site longer, and make your business feel more professional.

Want to avoid the most common mistakes DIYers make? Read our post on 5 Common Pitfalls When Customizing a Showit Template.

Conversion Strategy Built In

A good website doesn’t just look nice. It should guide visitors to take action, whether that’s booking your services, inquiring about a project, or joining your email list.

Most premium Showit templates (like the ones in our collection) are built with strategy in mind. But if you’re going the DIY route, it’s still up to you to think through how each page flows, where your calls-to-action go, and what your visitors need to see first.

When it comes to conversion, the difference between DIY vs hiring a Showit designer can be significant. A designer builds with strategy from the start. Things like button placement, headline structure, and user flow are all carefully planned to help visitors move through your site naturally and confidently.

Check out our guide on How to Choose a Showit Template (Beyond Just the Design) for photographers and creatives to find a layout that fits your brand and your goals.

DIY vs Hiring a Showit Designer and the Value of Each Option

DIY is the most budget-friendly option upfront. You purchase a template and customize it yourself, which keeps costs low and gives you full creative control. Hiring a designer is a larger investment, but you’re paying for expertise, strategy, and saved time. You’ll likely launch faster with a refined, strategic site that needs fewer fixes later.

When weighing DIY vs hiring a Showit designer, consider more than just the price tag. A site that’s built well from the start can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

Going the DIY route? Start with one of our favorite Showit templates designed to help photographers book more clients.

Ongoing Support & Tweaks

The support you’ll need after launch is an important part of the DIY vs hiring a Showit designer decision. Here’s how the two options compare:

• DIY gives you full control. You can make updates anytime, adjust your content, and manage your site without waiting on anyone else. It’s flexible and empowering if you enjoy being hands-on.
• You’re also responsible for everything. That includes future tweaks, fixing layout issues, uploading new content, and dealing with any tech problems that come up. Over time, that can become a major time commitment.
• Hiring a Showit designer gives you more structure from the start. Your site is built professionally, which means fewer fixes later and a cleaner, more consistent foundation to grow from.
• It’s a helpful long-term solution. If you’d rather stay focused on your work than managing your website, hiring a designer can give you peace of mind that things are done right from the beginning.

Choosing the right level of support upfront can save you time and stress later, so think about what you’ll need not just at launch, but as your business grows.

Designer’s Touch: A Pro Finish for DIYers

If you’re using one of our Showit templates, there’s an add-on created just for you.

Designer’s Touch is an upgrade available exclusively to template buyers at checkout. After you’ve customized your site, we’ll spend one hour reviewing everything. We go through your text tags, fix formatting, check spacing, clean up mobile layout, and refine any visual issues we can within that hour.

This is a great option if you’re stuck between DIY vs hiring a Showit designer. It gives you the freedom and affordability of doing it yourself, but with a designer’s trained eye to make sure everything feels clean and cohesive. You still get creative control and a lower price point, without the risk of launching a site that feels unfinished or inconsistent.

Designer’s Touch is perfect for when you’re almost there but want an expert to tighten things up before you hit publish. It’s simple, quick, and one of the easiest ways to boost the quality of your DIY site.

Who Each Option Suits Best

Not every business needs the same level of support, and that’s the beauty of having choices. Here’s a quick breakdown of who each option works best for:

• DIY
  Best if you have the time, enjoy learning new platforms, and want full creative control. You’re hands-on, budget-conscious, and confident making decisions on layout, design, and content.
• DIY + Designer’s Touch
  If you’re customizing a Showit template and want a designer to step in for a final review before launch. You get the freedom of DIY with a professional eye to catch details and elevate the finished product.
• Hiring a Showit Designer
  Perfect if you’re ready to invest in a smooth, strategic, done-for-you experience. You save time, avoid tech stress, and launch with a custom-built site designed to convert. This route can look like a fully custom website, a semi-custom design based on a template, or a template customization—depending on your timeline, budget, and how involved you want to be.

Each path has its benefits. Whether you lean toward full control or full support, knowing where you fall in the DIY vs hiring a Showit designer decision can help you move forward with clarity.

Want a site that does more than look pretty? Read our tips on building a website that converts your dream clients with ease.

Choosing Between DIY vs Hiring a Showit Designer with Confidence

Choosing between DIY vs hiring a Showit designer comes down to your timeline, your budget, and how much support you want in the process. Both paths can lead to a strong, strategic website, as long as you pick the one that aligns with where you are in your business right now.

You don’t have to choose between doing it all yourself or outsourcing everything. Whether you’re ready to invest in a custom site or want a little help with your DIY project, we have options that meet you where you are.

Our Showit templates are built for ease, strategy, and standout design. And if you’re looking for full support, our Website in a Week service takes care of everything, from layout and styling to setup and launch.

Want to see what’s possible? Browse our portfolio or reach out to chat about the path that fits your brand best. For tips, ideas, and creative inspiration, you’ll find us over on Instagram.