When I first started selling website templates, I honestly had no idea it would turn into a six-figure business. I just wanted a way to keep designing without the constant client deadlines and burnout.
If you’re sitting there wondering if it’s possible to make a full-time income selling website templates — it is. I’m living proof. But it didn’t happen overnight, and I made a lot of mistakes along the way.
So today I’m sharing exactly how I built my template shop from zero, what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently if I were starting all over again.
Where It All Started
I’ve been a designer for years, and like a lot of creatives, I hit a point where I was tired of trading my time for money. I loved designing, but I didn’t love being glued to my inbox, chasing feedback, or waiting for client payments to come through.
In 2020, during one of those “there has to be a better way” moments, I started experimenting with selling digital products. I’d always loved Showit, so creating templates there felt natural. It let me design freely without code, and I knew my buyers could easily customize them.
I uploaded my first few templates, crossed my fingers, and waited for magic to happen. Spoiler: it didn’t. Not at first.
The Early Days (AKA, Learning Everything the Hard Way)
I made all the classic mistakes.
- I priced my templates too low.
- My shop had barely any description text or SEO.
- I didn’t market consistently because I didn’t know how.
I’d post once on Instagram, then disappear for a month and wonder why sales were slow. I had the design side figured out, but the business side? Total guesswork.
The turning point came when I stopped treating my template shop like a side hobby and started treating it like a real business.
That meant learning SEO, Pinterest marketing, pricing strategy, and customer experience — all the stuff I now teach inside my course, Build + Scale Your Six-Figure Showit Template Shop.
What Actually Worked
Once I got serious, things started to shift. Here’s what made the biggest difference:
1. Focusing on a Niche
When I stopped trying to design for everyone and focused on coaches and photographers, everything clicked.
My designs spoke directly to that audience, and suddenly, I wasn’t competing with every other template shop out there.
2. Designing Templates That Solve Real Problems
Pretty is great, but what sells is ease.
I started creating templates that made launching a website feel stress-free. My buyers could plug in their content, tweak the colors, and go live — all in a weekend. That became my selling point.
3. Building Brand Cohesion
I didn’t just sell website templates. I offered matching Canva kits, sales pages, and marketing templates so my customers could have a full, cohesive brand experience. It gave me a huge edge because it looked like they’d hired a professional designer — for a fraction of the cost.
4. Marketing on Pinterest and Google
Pinterest turned out to be my secret weapon. It’s basically a search engine for visuals, so every template image had the chance to bring me sales on autopilot.
I also started blogging for SEO — not in a boring way, but by writing posts that my ideal buyers were actually searching for. That combo built steady, organic traffic.
5. Creating Systems and Automations
Once things were running smoothly, I built automations for everything — product delivery, customer follow-ups, even post-purchase upsells.
That’s when I realized I’d created something scalable. I wasn’t working more hours to make more money; my systems were doing the heavy lifting.
What I’d Do Differently Now
Looking back, there are a few things I’d absolutely do differently if I were starting from scratch:
1. I’d Invest in My Branding from Day One
In the beginning, my visuals were all over the place. I didn’t realize how much consistency helps you build trust.
If I could start over, I’d pick a clear brand look and stick to it. It makes your shop feel more professional and instantly recognizable.
2. I’d Focus on SEO Sooner
I used to think SEO was something for bloggers or big companies. But once I learned how it worked, it changed everything.
Optimizing my shop pages and blog posts for search terms like “Showit website templates” and “website templates for coaches” made a huge difference in organic traffic.
3. I’d Price for Profit — Not Fear
My early prices were based on what I thought people would pay, not what my work was worth. I didn’t understand that higher pricing can actually help build trust and attract better buyers.
When I finally raised my prices, I sold more, not less.
4. I’d Build an Email List from the Start
Relying only on Instagram is risky.
Once I started collecting emails and sending out launch announcements, sales got so much easier. Your list becomes your most valuable audience because they’re already interested in what you sell.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
The biggest transformation wasn’t just in strategy — it was in how I thought about myself as a designer.
When I stopped thinking, “I hope someone buys this,” and started thinking, “I’m building a digital product business,” it changed how I showed up.
Every post, every launch, every new template felt like a step forward instead of a gamble. That mindset is what helped me turn my creative work into consistent income.
The Roadmap I Wish I Had in the Beginning
If you’re dreaming about building your own template shop, trust me — you can do it. But having a roadmap saves you months (and a lot of frustration).
That’s why I created Build + Scale Your Six-Figure Showit Template Shop — a full step-by-step course for designers who want to sell templates the smart way.
You’ll learn how to:
- Design templates that actually sell
- Set up your shop for conversions
- Price your products confidently
- Market on Pinterest and Google
- Build automations so your shop runs while you sleep
It’s everything I wish I had when I was just starting out.
Final Thoughts
Building a six-figure template shop didn’t happen overnight, but it happened because I stayed consistent, learned from my mistakes, and treated my shop like a real business.
If you’re thinking about starting your own, start messy if you have to. Your first template won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. What matters is getting it out there and learning as you go.
Because once you figure out how to make money from your designs — on your own terms — everything changes.
Start your journey here: Build + Scale Your Six-Figure Showit Template Shop
Melissa Lunt is the founder of Superhero Design, a template shop specializing in high-converting Showit website templates for coaches, photographers, and creative entrepreneurs. With over 10 years of experience designing brands and websites, she helps business owners launch beautiful, strategic sites without the designer price tag or tech stress. Melissa is passionate about creating handcrafted templates that don’t just look custom—they actually book clients. When she’s not designing, you’ll find her drinking coffee, spending time with family and exploring the outdoors.
Explore Showit templates and launch resources at superherodesign.co.
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