Squarespace vs. Showit vs. Shopify: Which One is Best for Your Business?
Choosing a website platform can feel overwhelming. Each one promises to be the easiest, most flexible, and most beautiful option—but which is actually right for your business?
At Boldsite Co., we’ve helped entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners launch dozens of websites. We’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and how the right platform can make a huge difference in your business growth. Let’s break down Squarespace, Showit, and Shopify so you can choose the best fit for your goals.
1. Squarespace: Beautiful All-in-One Design
Best for: Small businesses, coaches, creatives, bloggers, service-based businesses
Squarespace is known for its stunning, professional templates and ease of use. With built-in hosting, blogging tools, and eCommerce options, it’s an all-in-one platform that’s great for businesses that want to look polished without hiring a developer.
Pros:
Gorgeous templates ready to launch
Mobile-friendly designs
Built-in SEO, blogging, and analytics tools
Easy eCommerce integration for small shops
Cons:
Less flexibility for fully custom layouts compared to Showit
Advanced eCommerce features are limited compared to Shopify
Ideal for:
Coaches, service providers, small shops, and portfolio-based businesses
Businesses that want a plug-and-play solution without coding
💡 Tip: At Boldsite Co., our Squarespace templates are built to make launch simple, so you can focus on your business instead of website headaches.
2. Showit: Fully Customizable Design
Best for: Creatives and designers who want total visual control
Showit is a drag-and-drop platform that prioritizes creative freedom. Designers love it because you can move elements anywhere on the page, mix text and images freely, and create a unique, fully branded site.
Pros:
Complete design flexibility (pixel-perfect control)
Works seamlessly with WordPress for blogging
Mobile customization options
Cons:
Slightly steeper learning curve than Squarespace
Requires more setup time
Hosting and domain setup are separate
Ideal for:
Photographers, designers, or anyone who wants a one-of-a-kind, highly visual website
Brands that want to stand out with unique layouts
💡 Tip: If customization is your top priority, Showit is a great choice—but if you want speed and ease, Squarespace might still be the smarter pick.
3. Shopify: The E-Commerce Powerhouse
Best for: Businesses focused primarily on online sales
Shopify is built to sell. From product pages to checkout, inventory, shipping, and payments, it’s designed for eCommerce success. If selling products online is your main goal, Shopify is hard to beat.
Pros:
Robust eCommerce features
Easy to scale as your business grows
Multiple payment options and integrations
Strong app marketplace for added functionality
Cons:
Monthly cost can be higher than Squarespace or Showit
Design flexibility is more limited unless you hire a developer
Blog and content features aren’t as strong
Ideal for:
Retail businesses, subscription services, and product-based companies
Entrepreneurs ready to focus on online sales growth
💡 Tip: If you want an eCommerce-focused Squarespace alternative, Boldsite Co. also offers templates optimized for online shops, making setup simple while keeping your site stylish and functional.
How to Choose the Right Platform
Identify your main goal: Selling products? Showcasing creative work? Booking clients?
Consider your comfort level with customization: Do you want plug-and-play ease or full design control?
Think about growth: Do you plan to scale quickly with advanced eCommerce features or stay small and simple?
Check your budget: Platforms vary in monthly cost, transaction fees, and add-ons.
✅ Quick guide:
Squarespace = all-in-one ease + style
Showit = total creative freedom
Shopify = powerful eCommerce
Ready to Launch Your Site?
No matter which platform you choose, the right template will make setup fast, simple, and stress-free. At Boldsite Co., our Squarespace templates are designed to help small business owners, creatives, and service providers launch a professional website quickly.
Launch with confidence—and turn your website into your hardest-working employee.
