If you’ve been designing Showit templates for a while—or even if you’re just getting started—you’ve probably noticed something. It feels harder to sell templates now than it did a few years ago. Back then, it seemed like every new design you put out had the potential to take off. These days, you might feel like you’re pouring your heart into your work only to hear crickets.
You’re not imagining it. The landscape has shifted, and there are a few big reasons why. But here’s the good news: while the challenges are real, they don’t mean your dream of running a thriving template shop is out of reach. In fact, there’s still plenty of room for new designers to carve out their own space—and sometimes it’s the fresh voices that make the biggest waves.
Let’s dig into what’s changed, why it matters, and how you can stand out in a more competitive market.
The Pandemic Boom Changed Everything
First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the pandemic. Back in 2020, when Covid hit, the online business world exploded. Millions of people started working from home, and many others left their jobs entirely to chase the dream of building their own business.
The result? A massive surge of new entrepreneurs, freelancers, and side hustlers—all of them in need of websites. And not just any websites, but polished, professional, and affordable ones they could launch quickly. That’s where Showit templates became the golden ticket.
For a few years, it felt like there was an endless stream of new business owners eager to buy templates. Designers were riding a wave of high demand that simply doesn’t exist at the same level anymore. Today, while people are still starting businesses, the numbers are nowhere near the flood we saw during those early pandemic years.
That doesn’t mean people have stopped launching businesses, but the gold rush moment has passed. If you’re looking at your sales and wondering why things feel slower, that’s a big part of it.
The Economy Is Weighing on Buyers
Another factor we can’t ignore is the economy. Many people are carrying more debt, dealing with higher costs of living, and simply feeling the pinch when it comes to spending. That reality has trickled into every corner of online business, including the world of Showit template shops.
For some, investing in a custom website—or even a semi-custom template—has shifted from being a must-have to a “someday when money feels easier.” People are still spending, but they’re more cautious, more selective, and sometimes slower to make a decision.
That can feel discouraging as a designer. You’ve created something beautiful and functional, but buyers are hesitating, or maybe they’re waiting until their business revenue grows before making the purchase.
The flip side, though, is that tough economic times also make templates more appealing than custom design. When someone can’t justify spending thousands on a custom site, a template becomes a smart, budget-friendly solution. You’re still offering something valuable—they may just need more reassurance, more education, or a stronger sense of trust before clicking “buy.”
Why There’s Still Space for New Designers
With all that said, here’s where the story shifts. Just because things feel tougher doesn’t mean the opportunity has disappeared. In fact, there’s always space for new designers in the Showit market.
Here’s why: every designer brings something unique to the table. No matter how many templates are out there, yours will have its own personality. The fonts you choose, the layouts you prefer, the photography and color palettes that inspire you—all of these things add up to a design that feels different from what’s already on the market.
Buyers aren’t just looking for a website; they’re looking for a vibe. They want something that feels like them, that reflects their personality or the brand they’re building. Sometimes they’ll pass by dozens of templates that don’t click—until they find the one that just feels right. And that could be yours.
Think about it this way: people still buy clothes, even though there are thousands of brands out there. They still buy coffee, even though they could make it at home for cheaper. Why? Because they connect with a style, a flavor, or an experience that resonates. The same applies to Showit templates. Your design doesn’t need to appeal to everyone. It just needs to connect deeply with the right people.
Standing Out in Today’s Market
So, how do you thrive in a world where marketing feels harder than it used to? The answer isn’t to blend in or try to compete on price. It’s to lean into what makes you and your designs unique.
That might mean experimenting with bold design choices or creating templates that serve a very specific niche, like fitness coaches, wedding photographers, or wellness brands. It might mean showing up more consistently on social media, letting your audience see the face behind the designs. It might even mean simplifying the process for your buyers with tutorials, matching Canva kits, or add-on services that make your templates even more valuable.
The key is remembering that even in a slower market, buyers are still out there. They’re just looking for the right design—the one that makes them feel excited to hit “publish” on their business dreams.
The Future of Showit Templates
The template market isn’t going anywhere. Yes, the boom years made it feel easier, but what we’re seeing now is more of a settling—an adjustment to a new normal. Templates have firmly established themselves as an essential tool for entrepreneurs, and Showit continues to be one of the most popular platforms for beautiful, customizable sites.
The future belongs to the designers who adapt, who keep showing up, and who bring their unique style into the mix. If you can do that, there’s absolutely space for you to build a successful, sustainable business around your designs.
Final Thoughts
It’s natural to compare today’s market to the pandemic boom and feel like things have slowed down. In many ways, they have. The wave of new entrepreneurs isn’t as massive, and economic challenges make buyers more cautious. But that doesn’t mean your efforts are wasted or that the market is “too saturated.”
Every new designer brings fresh ideas, new styles, and a unique perspective—and there will always be buyers looking for exactly that. Instead of focusing on how things used to be, think about how you can create designs that connect, inspire, and stand out today.
And if you’re feeling unsure about how to actually get your template shop off the ground—or how to market it in a way that works now, not just back then—that’s exactly what I teach inside my course, Superhero Academy: Build + Scale Your Six-Figure Showit Template Shop. It’s a step-by-step roadmap that shows you how to design, launch, and sell templates in today’s market (without the overwhelm of trying to figure it all out on your own).
Yes, marketing Showit templates is tougher than it used to be. But tougher doesn’t mean impossible. With persistence, creativity, and the right strategies, you can absolutely find your place in this industry—and I’d love to help you get there.
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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