Showit vs Squarespace: Which Is The Best Website Builder for Photographers + Creatives?

Choosing between Showit vs Squarespace can feel like a big decision, especially if you’re looking for a website builder for photographers or other creative businesses. You need something that looks good, works hard, and grows with you. This guide breaks down both platforms so you can choose the one that fits your style and goals best.

Before we dive in, hi, I’m Chelsea, founder of Lennox Creative Co. and a certified Showit Design Partner. I help creatives build Showit websites that don’t just look pretty, but actually bring in dream clients. Whether you’re customizing a template or want us to do the heavy lifting with a Website in a Week, you’re in the right place.

The Showit vs Squarespace Dilemma Creatives Face

You’re busy running your business, booking clients, and creating work you’re proud of. The last thing you need is to waste hours trying to figure out how to update your site. But here’s the thing: your website matters. It’s often your first impression. And if it’s not pulling in the right people or showing off your personality, it’s not doing its job. Choosing the right website builder for photographers and creatives can make all the difference in how easily your site supports your growth.

A strong website should support your business, not hold it back. It should reflect your style, speak to your dream clients, and make it easy for them to say yes. That’s why choosing the right platform, Showit vs Squarespace, is a big deal. The right fit can give you the freedom to create, grow, and stay in your zone of genius. The wrong one can leave you feeling boxed in or frustrated. Let’s make sure you choose the one that sets you up for success.

Want help picking the right template? Check out our blog on how to choose a Showit website template that won’t hurt your SEO. It’s full of tips to help you launch with confidence.

What Creatives (and Photographers) Need in a Website Builder

As a creatives, you need more than just “a place online.” You need a platform that can support the way you work and the way you sell. A good website should feel like an extension of your brand, not a never-ending project you dread opening.

You need a platform that:

• Shows off your work in a clean, beautiful way
• Can be updated easily without needing to know code
• Helps you rank on Google (hi, dream clients!)
• Gives you control over how your site looks and flows
• Grows with you as your offers evolve
• Supports blogging, booking, or even selling digital products if needed
• Feels intuitive enough that you actually enjoy using it

The truth is, your website isn’t just about looks. It’s about connection, clarity, and conversion. So, let’s compare Showit and Squarespace in the areas that matter most. We’ll walk through everything from design flexibility to SEO, so you can choose with confidence.

Wonder what your website is really saying when you’re not around? Our blog breaks it down. Read: What’s Your Website Saying About You When You’re Not In The Room?.

How Showit vs Squarespace Handles E-Commerce for Creatives

If selling products is part of your business, both platforms can support that, just in different ways. In the Showit vs Squarespace comparison, e-commerce is one area where their approaches differ. Squarespace has built-in store features, making it easy to set up a shop, manage inventory, and sell digital or physical products right from your site.

Showit doesn’t offer built-in e-commerce tools, but as a flexible website builder for photographers and other creatives, it lets you integrate Shopify buttons or connect a WooCommerce store through WordPress. It takes some extra work to set up, but gives you full design freedom and the ability to grow your shop over time.

Design Flexibility: Showit vs Squarespace

When it comes to creative freedom, especially in a website builder for photographers, Showit takes the cake. Think of it like Canva, but for websites (and no, Canva websites are not at all a contender). You can drag, drop, and design every little detail- fonts, layouts, colors, movement, you name it. There are no boxed-in templates, and no need to learn code. It’s a dream for anyone who likes to get creative, honestly.

Squarespace is a little more structured. Their templates are sleek and polished, but you’re working within limits. You can tweak things, sure, but not to the same level as Showit. If your brand is bold, playful, super custom or just more “out of the box” design-wise, you might find yourself hitting a wall with Squarespace’s capabilities.

Blogging & SEO: Which Platform Does It Better?

Blogging is a powerful way to boost traffic, share your work, and connect with potential clients. If you blog often or rely on SEO, the platform you choose matters.

Showit pairs with WordPress for blogging, which means you get access to powerful SEO tools (like Yoast), image optimization, and custom fields, while still having the flexibility of designing everything visually in Showit. It’s the best of both worlds.

Squarespace has built-in blogging with basic SEO features like titles and alt text. It’s easy to use, but more limited if you want to go deep with content or optimization. If blogging is a key part of your strategy, in our opinion, Showit offers more flexibility and room to grow.

Curious how Showit and WordPress work together for blogging? This post breaks it all down, and why it’s a smart move for SEO.

Ease of Use & Learning Curve

Squarespace is easy to start with. If you’re new to websites, its ready-made templates make setup fast and simple. It’s great for getting something basic online quickly, but you’re limited in how much you can customize without coding knowledge.

Showit has a bit more of a learning curve, but gives you total design freedom. It’s a true drag-and-drop builder, more like Canva than a typical website editor. You can move anything anywhere, no code needed. Once you get the hang of it, editing in Showit is easy and dare we say, even fun. And with one of our templates, you don’t have to start from scratch. We’ve built the structure so you can focus on making it your own.

Not sure if you should DIY or hire a pro? This blog will help you decide what makes the most sense for you and your business. Read DIY vs Hiring a Showit Designer.

Pricing & Value for Creatives

Let’s talk numbers, because your website should feel like a smart investment, not a money pit. Both platforms have tiered pricing, but what you get at each level looks a little different. Note that pricing may change anytime, this is just as the time of writing this post.

When it comes to value, think about more than just the monthly price. You’re investing in a platform that supports your business, helps you get found, and feels aligned with where your business is going. And in that light, Showit often delivers more bang for your buck.

Want to see if Showit’s right for you? Try it free for 30 days: Start your free trial here.

Who Each Platform Is Best For

So how do you know which platform is the better fit for you? Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide based on your goals, style, and how you like to work.

Choose Showit if…
You’re a creative (like a photographer, wedding pro, or designer) who wants a site that feels totally “you.” You care about SEO, love design freedom, and want a site that grows with your business. You enjoy having control over every part of your design and aren’t afraid of a small learning curve to get exactly what you want. You have plans to blog, prioritize organic traffic, or want your site to feel truly custom, without having to hire a designer or developer for every little thing.

Choose Squarespace if…
You want a fast, simple setup and are okay working within a set template. You’re not planning to blog much, or you need an online store built in with all your tools in one place. You prefer something more plug-and-play, with fewer design decisions to make. Squarespace is great if you’re just getting started, need a basic online presence, or want a site that looks clean without spending much time on customization.

Both platforms can support a creative business, it just depends on what you want your website to do for you.

So… Showit vs Squarespace?

At the end of the day, choosing between Showit vs Squarespace comes down to what matters most to you. If you want full creative freedom, powerful blogging, and a site that can grow with your business, Showit is a strong choice. If you prefer a simple setup with ready-made templates and a quicker learning curve, Squarespace might be the way to go. Either way, the best platform is the one that supports your vision and helps you show up with confidence online.

Our Showit website templates are built to blend beauty with strategy, so you can launch a site that looks amazing and actually helps you get found. Want to skip the tech stuff? Our Website in a Week service takes care of everything for you, start to finish. If today’s breakdown helped you lean toward Showit as your website builder for photographers or creatives, take a peek at our templates or reach out, we’re happy to help you choose the best fit for your business and goals.