What website platform do I use for my business?

While it might be simpler to say “I design exclusively on this platform,” I recognize that this isn’t practical for everyone. With so many options available, it’s important to do your research. I’ve worked with several platforms and tend to stick with a few that I believe are top contenders in the industry based on my experience.

So, which platforms do I prefer and why? I design on Showit, Squarespace, and Shopify. Let’s explore each one!

SHOWIT

Showit is my top choice for unlimited creativity. It’s the platform I’ve used for my last four website designs. Initially designed for photographers, Showit now caters to a variety of industries. What sets it apart is its drag-and-drop functionality, allowing for complete freedom in design. This flexibility can be overwhelming for some, which is why I recommend working with a designer to fully customize your site on Showit. For a custom design project, I start by developing a detailed sitemap of all the required pages and then dive deeply into each section. From features and galleries to colors, transitions, and links, I’m here to assist with every aspect of your website.

If a custom website design isn’t within your budget, I suggest using pre-designed Showit website templates. These templates are often quite affordable and tailored to specific industries or niches, making them a great choice if you’re just starting out or need a website quickly without a big investment. That’s exactly why I’m developing The Cabin Templates. You can easily customize these templates by changing colors, typography, and photography to make them uniquely yours. For more details, check them out here.

If you’re a photographer, service provider, or a business that doesn’t sell products, Showit is an excellent option. I could rave about Showit all day, but in short, it’s ideal for creating a beautifully designed website that integrates with other platforms for payments, scheduling, blogging, and more.

SQUARESPACE

Let’s dive into Squarespace. I really appreciate this platform for its user-friendly interface and its comprehensive all-in-one solution, which includes website building, payment processing, email marketing, and scheduling tools. If you’re just starting out, Squarespace is an excellent choice for setting up your first website. It’s perfect for getting things off the ground with minimal hassle.

However, if you have a large inventory of products or need extensive custom features, Squarespace might not be the best fit unless you’re willing to invest in a developer to tailor it to your needs.

For example:

Imagine you’re launching a salon or spa. You need a website that also handles appointment scheduling, payments, and possibly payroll. Squarespace can meet these needs with its built-in Acuity scheduling feature, making it straightforward to manage appointments and transactions.

That said, there are platforms specifically designed for salon and spa businesses, like Vagaro. In fact, I built a salon website a few years ago using Showit for the main site and linked it to Vagaro for bookings. This approach was more effective because Vagaro is tailored specifically for salon and spa operations.

SHOPIFY

If you’re managing a large number of products, Shopify is the premier platform for you. Although designing a Shopify site can be more complex, its backend for handling inventory, orders, and other e-commerce needs is exceptional. I’ve worked on several Shopify sites over the past few years, and it’s widely recognized as a leader in the e-commerce space. For a visually appealing and highly functional site, I recommend either hiring a designer or purchasing a website template.

It’s crucial to research which website platforms will best support your business and to ask your website designer the right questions. I could discuss these three platforms all day, so be sure to check back for more in-depth posts on each. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help!

Inquire about your project here.

Have the best week!

-Taylor