Showit for E-commerce: A Personal Journey and Guide for Showit shop

Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs and creatives! Remember when I shared a guide on how to seamlessly integrate a shop into your Showit site a few years back? Well, buckle up because we’re about to dive deeper into the world of Showit as an e-commerce platform.

Recently, I’ve created a brand-new e-commerce Showit template and I want to share my personal experience and insights on whether it’s worth creating an online store on Showit.

In today’s post, I want to take you along on my personal journey and share insights into whether creating an online store on Showit is truly worth it. We’ll delve into who can benefit most from this platform, how to navigate the sea of Showit e-commerce templates to find the perfect fit for your brand, and why Showit might just be the better choice compared to Stan.store.

Join me as we uncover the potential of Showit for e-commerce and discover how this platform can elevate your online business to new heights. Let’s get started!

1. How Showit e-commerce works

It’s a bit sad that Showit doesn’t come equipped with built-in e-commerce functionality. However, its prowess in third-party integration opens a world of possibilities. That’s why there are numerous ways to seamlessly connect a shop to your Showit website. I’ve previously covered three methods in a blog post, but the options don’t end there.

Let’s explore some additional avenues for adding a shop to your Showit site:

• Shopify Buy Button
• Ecwid
• Flodesk Checkout
• System.IO
• WooCommerce
• Thrivecart
• Shop Rocket

As you can see, the possibilities are plentiful. However, they generally follow a similar principle. You’ll need to incorporate a line of code, whether it’s for a buy button as in Shopify or Ecwid, or to create a checkout page like in System.IO. WooCommerce, which happens to be my preferred choice, operates differently, requiring the creation of dedicated Shop, Product, and Checkout pages. However, I’d caution against WooCommerce unless you’re dealing with a large inventory, as it can be intricate and demand a fair bit of coding know for customization.

Ultimately, the key is to choose an integration method that aligns with your specific needs and technical proficiency. While Showit may not have native e-commerce capabilities, its adaptability and integration options ensure that you can still create a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

2. Showit shop vs Stan Store

If you’re a coach on Instagram selling digital products via Stan Store, the idea of creating an additional website on Showit and subscribing to another platform like Shopify might not seem appealing. After all, why juggle multiple tools when you have one that seemingly does it all? However, when it comes to expanding your brand and establishing credibility, having a website is a must.

Here’s why having a website in 2024 is non-negotiable:

1. Professionalism Personified: A personal website adds a layer of professionalism to your brand, elevating your status in the eyes of your audience.
2. Centralized Platform: It serves as a centralized hub to showcase your portfolio, services, and resources, offering visitors a comprehensive view of what you bring to the table.
3. Blogging: With a blog integrated into your website, you can drive more traffic, ultimately leading to greater recognition and, ultimately, sales.
4. Insulation Against Social Media Risks: In an era where social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok are prone to bans or algorithm changes, having a website ensures you have a direct line of communication with your audience and a platform for sales.

In essence, a website acts as a catalyst for business growth. And when it comes to creativity and brand showcasing, Showit stands head and shoulders above the rest. Its super intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes customization a breeze, even when compared to platforms like Shopify.

Here’s why Showit outshines Stan Store or System.IO:

• SEO Superpowers: With robust SEO tools, Showit helps you climb the ranks on Google, ensuring your brand gets the visibility it deserves.
• Brand Representation: Your website becomes the ultimate canvas to showcase your brand identity, allowing you to express your unique personality and values.
• Seamless Integration with Marketing Tools: Showit seamlessly integrates with various marketing tools, enabling you to streamline your marketing efforts and drive results.
• Blogging Bliss: Hosting a blog on Showit is a breeze, empowering you to share valuable content and engage with your audience effectively.
• Limitless Customization: From layouts to colors to fonts, Showit offers unparalleled customization options, allowing you to bring your vision to life with ease.
• Design Freedom: With Showit, the only limit is your imagination. You have complete creative control to design a website that truly reflects your brand ethos.
• Portfolio Showcase: Showcasing your portfolio, services, and about you section becomes a breeze with Showit’s user-friendly interface.
• Sales pages: Whenever you have a new program or service you can create additional sales page that could convert visitor into buyers.

So basically Showit emerges as the undisputed champion when it comes to building a website that not only captivates but also converts.

3. Is Showit Shop the Right Pick for You?

Considering whether Showit Shop aligns with your needs and goals? Here’s a checklist to help you decide:

• Limited Product Range: If you have a small inventory, typically ranging from 1 to 10 products, or if you’re willing to invest in a designer to connect you with WooCommerce, Showit Shop could be a perfect fit.
• Desire for Brand Growth: If you’re keen on establishing a personal website to grow your brand alongside your online store, Showit offers seamless integration for both.
• Product Variety: Whether you’re selling digital or physical products, Showit Shop caters to your needs, providing a platform to showcase and sell your offerings.
• SEO Priorities: If you prioritize SEO advantages and care about driving traffic to your online store, Showit offers features to optimize your website for search engines.
• Need All-in-One Ease? If you’re after a platform that smoothly meshes with your marketing tools, blog, and sales pages, Showit Shop’s got your back.

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve chosen to host my shop on Showit, with the assistance of WooCommerce, alongside my Etsy shop. I’m trying to bring all the users to my website though. Plus, after hearing a bunch of stories about Etsy shops getting shut down outta nowhere with zero help from support, I was like, nah, I’m good. Showit Shop not only provided me with a reliable platform but also helps the growth of my email list. And a WordPress blog (integrated with Showit), I’ve been able to drive more traffic to my website while showcasing my portfolio and services.

Furthermore, I discovered that Showit’s drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to design my website just the way I want, without needing to know a bunch of code. While Etsy is great for quick sales, Showit Shop gives me a more stable setup with fewer surprises. It might take a bit longer to ramp up sales, but Showit gives me more control and consistency compared to Etsy, where things can change all the time and affect my sales.

4. How to choose Showit shop add-on template?

Looking for the perfect Showit shop template? Here’s a quick guide to help you find the right fit:

If you already have a website, consider looking for Showit shop add-ons templates. Your choice will depend on whether you’re selling digital or physical products and how many items you plan to feature in your shop.

Don’t have a website yet? No worries! You can opt for website templates that already include shop pages. And hey, here’s a little bonus: use the code “digitalandchic” for a free month of Showit.

When selecting a template, aim for one that aligns with your brand’s design aesthetic. The closer the design matches your brand, the easier it will be to customize.

Make sure your chosen shop add-on includes essential features such as:

• Shop page
• Product page
• Newsletter canvas
• Reviews canvas
• Have a category tabs
• Have a short and long product description place
• If you sell a physical product make sure it have a lot’s of places for product photos
• A pop up that could be used for announcing sales, technichal works or other messages.

Additionally, look for extras like a pop-up feature for announcements and optional elements such as Instagram link and bio pages to replace LinkTree. A thank you page is also a nice touch, whether it’s triggered after signing up for your newsletter, submitting a contact form, or making a purchase.

You can find templates available in various places, including marketplaces like Etsy, the official Showit store, and even our Digital&Chic shop.

At Digital&Chic, we offer full website templates that includes shop pages and Showit shop add-ons. Plus, you have the flexibility to use digital or physical product templates interchangeably. For instance, if you have a digital product but choose a physical product template, simply remove the gallery layers, and you’re good to go.

If you sell lots of product you can look for Woocommerce+Showit shop add-ons. They will be installed on Showit as a blog templates. (Sneak peak of what Woo Shop pages looks like inside of Showit below)

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to find the perfect Showit shop template that suits your needs and showcases your products beautifully.

Conclusion

That wraps up everything I wanted to share about how Showit e-commerce works and why it’s my preferred choice over platforms like Etsy and Stan.Store (though you can totally rock an Etsy store alongside your Showit setup!). I hope you found this information helpful in making an informed decision.

Before diving headfirst into Showit as your e-commerce platform, take some time to consider whether it aligns with your specific needs and goals. With plenty of website builders on the market, it’s essential to choose the one that best suits your business requirements. Personally, I’ve found Showit to be a perfect fit for my needs, and I’m sticking with it.

Remember, the key is to find a platform that not only meets your current needs but also offers the flexibility to grow and evolve with your business over time. Whether you choose Showit or another platform, here’s to your e-commerce success!