As a self-proclaimed geek and lover of shiny new objects, I have explored a few Content Management Platforms, Themes and Page Builders in my time. When I first started designing websites, there weren’t as many options as there are now, but WordPress captured my heart early on, and while I have explored, I always come back to WordPress. I am not the only one, while no doubt hosted platforms such as Squarespace and Wix have been gaining in popularity, WordPress remains to be the worlds most popular content management system and powers over one-third fo the web.

Some things you need to know:

• WordPress. When I talk about WordPress, I am referring to WordPress.org (not WordPress.com)
• Content Management System (CMS) is a software tool that you use to create and modify content on a website without having to know how to code. Examples of CMS systems are WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Joomla, Shopify
• A WordPress Theme can be paid or free and is a template used to define the appearance of a WordPress website. Each one is a different design and comes with different layouts and features. Typically you would choose a theme that matches your industry and purpose.
• WordPress Page Builders are used when you want to build and customise your site without writing any code. Typically called drag and drop page builders. Examples being Divi, Elementor, Visual Composer.
• Showit is a hosted drag and drop website builder powered by WordPress.

Through exploration over time, I have built up a list of things I like from each CMS, Page Builder and Themes, a little from Column A and a little from Column B, a little like people, not one was perfect, and that comes down to what you are looking to achieve. From my experiences of working with clients on their websites, you get to see common threads, many business owners and especially new business owners have to wear many hats and plan for growth while being mindful of expenses.

When I explored Showit for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised that it ticked many boxes on both columns. Here are just seven reasons why I chose Showit to build my website.

Combined Hosting

There is an appeal to having your website builder also hosting your website. With WordPress.org it is what is “self-hosted” meaning you find and pay for hosting. Not all hosts are created equal. So there is much research that goes into choosing a host. Wix and Squarespace include hosting as does Showit. Showit hosting is managed by WP Engine, who is one of the top recognised WordPress hosting providers. Like Wix and Squarespace, you pay a subscription for both the platform and the hosting.

Customer Support

You not only get my support, with Showit, but their customer support is also excellent. I have found over the years, Themes, Page Builder support is available, and the people on the other end are good at what they do, you do tend to feel one of many, not with Showit, the support feels personal. Also with Showit as your page builder and hosts, you are not having to speak to different support teams, different time zones and have them blame each other…and you have to go back and forth relaying conversations. You also get support from me. Plus Showit has a Facebook community where can ask questions and learn from each other.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Unfortunately, with building a website, it is not a case of building it, and they will come. I often am asked by people ‘Why am I not on the first page of Google?’ It is unlikely to happen unless your site is optimised for googles search engine ranking factors. With Showit, you can also use the built-in SEO areas as well as Yoast SEO which is the best SEO plugin.

Price

You get what you pay for. Something you learn the hard way. As I mentioned earlier, I know what it is like starting out, and you have to watch your expenses, you think, I’ll go the cheapest option first then when I start getting some money in I will invest back into my business and upgrade. But will you? Really? Depending upon when that time comes, typically you have invested so much time and effort, the thought of moving your website and content is just too overwhelming, you can’t just click and move, and you have other competing priorities, so you make do with what you have regretting your previous self’s decision. Somethings are worth doing right the first time. Don’t make price your deciding factor.

Customise Desktop and Mobile individually

With mobile usage overtaking desktop, your mobile design must provide a good experience for your website visitor. Being able to customise desktop and mobile individually means that you can include different or exclude content on your mobile site.

Ease of Use

While we are talking customise. With Showit not only is it super easy to use, but you also have complete creative freedom, this is positive and a negative. For me, as a website designer, it was positive all the way. Still, if you were unfamiliar with the principals of website design, I can see how you could easily spend a lot of time customising end up with an incoherent look. However, if you purchase mine or another designers theme from Showit, you can still customise it to make it your own but more like drawing within the lines.

You can see why, when I was thinking about creating a template for Yoga Teachers, I wanted to offer something that was beautifully designed, not intimidating yet customisable to make their own. I wanted to be confident that they would get the support they needed if they needed with reliable hosting. Showit ticked all the boxes.