Let’s break it down – because making the right decisions when it comes to investing in your website can be make or break for your entire business.
Whether you’re a brand new business owner looking to invest in your website or or a long-time entrepreneur who’s in desperate need of a branding makeover, every website transformation comes with a BIG decision with massive consequences on your revenue and success: Do you invest in a custom web designer or go DIY with a website template?
Both options are great – but depending on your goals, budget, and timeline, one will fit you better than the other. I’ve worked as both a custom designer AND a template designer, and this post is a breakdown of all the guidance I’ve given a decade’s worth of clients to help them make the right decision that skyrockets their business:
Budget: What Can You Really Spend?
A custom designed website built from scratch that’s 100% unique to your brand is an INCREDIBLE investment. But here’s the thing: that investment comes with a hefty price tag— a professional website that balances beautiful design and seamless functionality can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on the designer and your needs. And the truth is, it might not end up being a one-time investment (more on this later!)
If you’re early in your business, or simply don’t want to blow your entire marketing budget in one go, a website template is a total game-changer. Most premium Showit templates range between $200–$800, and they still function perfectly and look like a designer made them (spoiler: one did!).
This means that templates are ideal for entrepreneurs who want that polished, elevated look—without the custom price tag, so it’s easier to launch and stretch your start-up budget across more than just your website – the money you save can go towards marketing, advertising and education that will help your offers stand out. It’s a win-win. (P.S. I designed all of my Showit templates based on years of custom design experience and success, and the decision of WHICH website template to invest in is also an equally as important one!)
Timeline: When Do You Need to Launch?
Here’s the truth, because I’ve been the designer burnt out from having so many clients: Custom websites take time. A lot of time. Between discovery calls, moodboards, drafts, revisions, testing… most custom sites take anywhere from 6–12 weeks (and sometimes even longer if your designer has multiple clients, which most great, trustworthy designers do.).
If you’re launching soon, pivoting your brand, or just can’t wait another minute to get your site out there, templates are the fast track to the finish line. It puts YOU in complete control of your launch timeline, and you don’t have to rely on somebody else whilst you’re planning your launch marketing and strategy. Most of my clients launch their template-based websites in just a few days because all you need to do is plug in your copy, swap your images, and tweak your colors and fonts and it’s done and dusted. There’s also the option to take more time to fully customize the template and add your own extra pages and features, but it’s entirely up to you!
Long story short – hiring a designer will take the process completely off your plate but at the cost of somebody else’s schedule, whereas a template gives you a balance of speed, style and total freedom.
Customization: How Unique Do You Want to Be?
Let’s be honest—we all want to stand out, and with millions of new websites going live each month the competition is tough. If your business is in a niche market or you have a very specific creative vision, custom design might be the right way to go because designers can tailor every single detail to your brand and its needs.
But if your hesitations around buying a template are because you’re scared that a website template = a cookie-cutter site… Showit templates are ridiculously customizable. You can change layouts, move sections, add pages, adjust colors, tweak fonts—it’s all drag-and-drop magic, and it’s easy even for a complete beginner to completely change a template quickly and easily. (I have tons of examples of my shop of websites my clients have created – you would NEVER believe theyy started from the same place. See for yourself if this is something you’re worried about!)
Tech Skills: Are You Comfortable DIYing?
If the thought of logging into a website builder makes your palms sweaty… you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: Showit was made for non-techy creatives.
You don’t need to know a single line of code. If you can drag, drop, and click—you can design a beautiful website yourself. (Plus, all of my templates come with helpful tutorials to guide you every step of the way!)
If you’re scared of website builders, investing in a Custom designer might seem like a more appealing choice… And while it’s true you’ll be much more hands-off, it also means you’ll be dependent on someone else for updates, changes, or future tweaks too (which may also come with an extra price tag.)
🚀 Long-Term Vision: Where Is Your Business Headed?
One of the BIGGEST, most important questions that should factor into your decision making process is one that’s overlooked 90% of the time. Many entrepreneurs get too caught up thinking about how the website looks and will lead to sales now, without considering how their website can work to progress their business in the future… Which often leads to them investing in a website that literally keeps them stuck.
When you hire a custom designer, they’re designing a website that is incredible for your current business and does everything you ask for now. But the truth is, you can’t predict the future, and especially as a new business owner it’s important to not just think about what your website does, but what it could do.
Custom websites are great for brands with complex functionality, like advanced eCommerce, booking systems, or multi-layered memberships – there aren’t many website templates that are designed with extremely niche functions in mind.
But let’s be real: most service providers, creatives, and coaches don’t need all that on day one. Showit templates give you the flexibility to launch now, grow later. Plus, since I know exactly how important it is for your website to be able to grow with your business, my Showit website templates come with EXTRA pages that can help you launch products, create sales funnels, start a podcast, a blog, and more, so you can be inspired to take your offers further and grow. If you were to invest in a custom design now without knowing these things, you would have to invest in one again as your offers and services adapt at an extra cost. Whereas with a template, you can put the money you saved into marketing these new offers and helping them thrive!
Plus, you can always invest in a custom site when the time (and cash flow) is right if that decision feels more aligned at a later date!
The Verdict: Which One Is Right for You?
If you’re dreaming of a completely one-of-a-kind experience, have a large budget, aren’t in a rush to launch and know exactly where your business is heading—then hiring a web designer might be your best bet.
But if you’re craving something stylish, strategic, and simple to launch (like… this week!) a Showit website template is 100% the decision for you right now.
They give you:
✔️ A polished, professional online presence that effortlessly makes back your investment
✔️ Full creative control as a total beginner (with zero code)
✔️ Flexibility to grow, tweak, and upscale as your business shifts
✔️ A website that looks like you hired a pro, because you did—without the pro-level pricetag.
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