Custom Website? Template? Here’s How to Choose the Right One for Your Business: Template vs. Custom Showit Website — What’s Right for You?

Showit template vs custom? Not all websites are built the same — but yours should be built for your business goals.

Whether you’re launching your first site or redoing one that no longer works, the choice usually comes down to two options:

👉 Buy a Showit template and DIY
👉 Hire a designer for a custom website

If you’re wondering which one’s actually worth it, this blog breaks down the difference between a template and custom Showit site — plus a third option you might not have considered.

Option 1: Showit Templates (Quick, Budget-Friendly, Semi-Customizable)

Templates are perfect for newer businesses or brands that don’t quite need a full custom build yet.

Pros:

• Launch fast and affordably
• Beautiful layouts already designed by professionals
• Easy to update and manage in Showit
• Great for testing out a service or offer

Cons:

• Not tailored to your brand strategy or ideal client journey
• Limited customization (without breaking things)
• May look “cookie-cutter” if many others are using it too
• Often missing the SEO structure and conversion-focused flow you need as you grow

Good fit for:
Startups, new photographers or wedding pros, testing a new niche, or early-stage creatives building visibility.

Option 2: Custom Showit Website (Tailored, Strategic, Built for Growth)

This is a fully personalized site built just for you — based on your goals, voice, and ideal clients’ behaviors.

Pros:

• 100% custom design and strategy
• Built to support your exact offer suite, services, and sales flow
• SEO structure, AI visibility, and strategic storytelling baked in
• Stand out and position yourself as an expert in your space

Cons:

• Longer timeline (typically 2+ weeks)
• Higher investment upfront
• Requires clarity on your messaging and business goals

Good fit for:
Established brands ready to raise prices, uplevel their online presence, or grow sustainably with a site that actually sells.

Option 3: The Hybrid — Our “Website in a Week” Offer

Not sure if you’re ready for fully custom but need more than just a plug-and-play template? Our Website in a Week is the best of both worlds.

We use our proven, strategic Showit layouts — then fully tailor the fonts, colours, photos, copy structure, and layout to your brand.

It’s not just “pick a template and tweak it.”
It’s collaborative, intentional, and designed to help you launch fast with confidence.

So, Which One Is Right for You?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet 👇

Ready to Build a Website That Books Clients?

If your current site isn’t working — or if you’ve been stuck staring at templates wondering what to choose — we can help.

At Monarch Design Co., we offer:

• Website in a Week (semi-custom design for fast, aligned results)
• Custom Showit Website Design (for that fully tailored experience)

Not sure what you need? Inquire here and we’ll help you choose the best path forward.

FAQs Showit template vs custom

Q: Is a Showit template good enough for my business?
A: Templates are great for early-stage businesses, but if you’re scaling or need something strategic, a custom or semi-custom option is better.

Q: How much does a custom Showit website cost?
A: Custom sites with Monarch start at $7,500 and are built to convert — not just look pretty.

Q: What’s the difference between a template and Website in a Week?
A: Templates are plug-and-play. Website in a Week is our collaborative, semi-custom process that gives you a brand-aligned site in 5–7 days.