Before you sign a contract with a Showit designer, one question always comes up: what exactly am I paying for? It seems simple, but the honest answer is that what is included in a Showit website design package varies significantly from one designer to the next. Some packages include branding, copywriting, and 30 days of support. Others include a five-page design and a launch checklist. The line items look similar, but the depth of work is completely different.

If you are still weighing whether to hire a designer at all, the DIY vs. hire breakdown covers that decision in full. If you have already decided to hire and just want to know what to expect, this guide has you covered. It breaks down what a professional Showit design package should include, what is usually not included, what questions to ask before you sign anything, and what the price tiers actually look like in 2026.

What Every Professional Showit Website Design Package Should Include

A legitimate Showit designer package is not just a finished website. It is a series of deliverables that together produce a site ready to attract clients and rank on Google. Here is what those deliverables should look like in practice.

Strategy and Discovery

Before any design work starts, a professional package should include a strategy session. This is where the designer learns your business goals, your ideal client, your competitors, and what you want the site to do. Without this, you end up with a beautiful site that does not actually reflect what you sell or who you are selling to.

Expect a questionnaire, a kickoff call, and a moodboard or direction document before any canvas work begins.

Website Design — Pages, Layouts, and Revisions

The core of what is included in a Showit website design package is the design itself. Most professional packages include between 5 and 10 pages depending on the tier. Common page inclusions are:

  • Homepage
  • About page
  • Services or portfolio page
  • Contact page
  • Blog index page (design only, not post writing)

Additional pages like pricing pages, individual service pages, booking pages, or sales pages are often charged as add-ons. Always ask for a page count and page list before signing.

Revision rounds should be clearly defined. Most packages include two to three revision rounds per page. “Unlimited revisions” is a red flag — it usually means vague scope, which leads to disagreements later. The red flags guide covers this and other warning signs in detail.

Mobile Design

Showit is a dual-canvas platform, meaning your desktop site and your mobile site are two separate designs. Both need to be built. A package that only mentions “responsive design” without addressing Showit’s mobile canvas is incomplete. Ask the designer explicitly: does the mobile canvas receive the same level of attention as the desktop?

On 90+ Showit projects, the mobile canvas takes nearly as long as the desktop to do well. Any package that does not address this is cutting a corner you will notice immediately after launch.

SEO Setup — What It Actually Means

Almost every Showit package lists “SEO optimization” in the deliverables. But what does that actually mean? Here is what it should include versus what it often actually includes:

What it should mean:

  • Page title and meta description written for every page
  • Heading structure set correctly (H1 on every page, H2/H3 in logical order)
  • Alt text written for every image
  • Canonical URL set for each page to avoid duplicate content
  • Yoast SEO or Rank Math configured on the WordPress blog
  • Site submitted to Google Search Console
  • Sitemap verified and accessible
  • robots.txt checked for accidental blocks

What it often actually means in a budget package:

  • Homepage title tag filled in
  • Yoast installed (not configured)
  • A sitemap submitted to Google Search Console (and nothing else)

When you ask “what is included in a Showit website design package for SEO,” push for a line-item answer. If a designer cannot tell you which specific SEO tasks are in scope, you are likely getting the budget version. Before you hire, read how Showit handles SEO so you understand what the platform can and cannot do natively, and review the complete Showit SEO checklist to know what proper setup looks like.

WordPress Blog Setup

Showit runs its blog through a connected WordPress install. Setting this up correctly involves pointing the domain, installing a custom WordPress theme that matches your Showit design, configuring categories and permalinks, and ensuring the blog URL structure is clean. This takes time and is easy to get wrong. You can see what the connection actually involves in the Showit and WordPress connection guide.

Most packages include basic blog setup. Some do not include it at all and treat it as an add-on. If blogging is part of your marketing strategy — and it should be, because it is the primary way Showit sites build search traffic — confirm this is explicitly included.

Tech Integrations

Your website connects to other tools: a booking system, email marketing, a CRM, a payment processor, a contact form service. Professional packages should include connecting your core integrations. Common inclusions are email opt-in forms, contact form setup, and Google Analytics installation.

CRM integrations, e-commerce setup, course platform connections, and payment processors are almost always add-ons and are priced separately. If you need HoneyBook, Dubsado, ThriveCart, or Kajabi connected, ask for that scope and pricing upfront.

Launch Preparation

The launch phase should include a pre-launch checklist review (broken links, missing images, form testing, 404 checks), domain connection and DNS management, final mobile review, and a live walkthrough or video training so you can make basic updates yourself after handoff. The full Showit design process walkthrough covers what each phase looks like week by week.

Some packages include launch graphics for social media to announce the new site. This is a nice touch but is not a standard inclusion.

Post-Launch Support

A professional package should include a support window after launch — typically 14 to 30 days. During this window, the designer fixes anything that was missed or broke on handoff. This is different from ongoing maintenance, which is a separate retainer.

Template Customization vs. Custom Design: What Is Actually Different

Most Showit designers offer two tiers. Understanding the difference is the most important thing when evaluating what is included in a Showit website design package at each price point.

Template Customization Package

You start with a purchased Showit template. The designer customizes it to match your brand: your fonts, colours, images, and copy are dropped in, sections are rearranged or added, and the overall feel is adjusted. This is faster, lower cost, and produces a polished result.

What it includes: brand application, content placement, mobile adjustments, SEO basics, launch prep.

What it does not include: bespoke page layouts, original illustrations, unique interactive elements, full strategy sessions, or deep conversion architecture.

Typical price range: $1,500 to $5,000

Typical timeline: 2 to 4 weeks

Custom Showit Design Package

Everything is built from scratch on a blank Showit canvas. No template is used. The designer builds every page layout, every section, and every interaction from the ground up based on your brand strategy.

What it includes: full design strategy, original layouts, complete brand application, deep SEO setup, mobile custom build, all tech integrations, full launch support, training.

What it does not include: copywriting (usually), photography, ongoing content creation, or post-launch maintenance unless added.

Typical price range: $4,000 to $10,000+

Typical timeline: 4 to 8 weeks

If you are comparing packages from different designers, compare like for like. A $3,500 custom design quote and a $6,500 custom design quote are not the same product. Ask both designers for a full deliverables list and compare page count, revision rounds, SEO scope, and support window side by side. The questions to ask before hiring gives you the exact script for those conversations.

What Is Usually NOT Included

This is the part most designers do not put on their websites but every client should know before signing.

  • Copywriting — Unless explicitly stated, the words on your website are your responsibility. Some packages include copywriting templates or a copywriting audit. Full copywriting is almost always a separate service.
  • Photography — The images on your site need to come from you, from a photographer you hire, or from a stock library. Sourcing images is not part of most design packages.
  • Content creation after launch — Blog posts, portfolio updates, testimonial pages, and new service pages after launch are not included.
  • Showit subscription cost — Your designer builds on the platform, but you pay Showit directly for your monthly or annual plan. This is separate from the design fee. See the full Showit pricing breakdown to understand what each plan includes.
  • Domain registration and hosting — Your domain and WordPress hosting are separate costs, not included in the design package.
  • Ongoing maintenance — Plugin updates, WordPress security, backup management, and performance monitoring are not part of a launch package.
  • Paid ads or social media setup — A design package builds the destination. Driving traffic to it is a separate discipline.

Price Tiers and What You Get at Each Level

Based on rates across the Showit designer market in 2026, here is an honest breakdown of what your budget gets you — including examples of real designers and studios working at each tier.

  • Under $1,500 — Template customization from a newer designer. Expect basic brand application and limited SEO. Good for tight budgets launching a first site. You will find options from independent designers on platforms like Fiverr’s Showit category in this range, though vetting carefully is important.
  • $1,500 to $3,500 — Solid template customization from a mid-level designer. Includes proper mobile setup, SEO foundations, and light strategy. Designers like Wonderlik Web Design work in this range, offering focused packages for creative businesses that want a polished result without the custom price tag.
  • $3,500 to $6,500 — Custom design from an experienced Showit designer. Full strategy, original layouts, complete SEO setup, and post-launch support. Amanda Scott Design is a clear example at this tier — with packages starting around $3,900 for template-based work and $6,600 for full custom builds. This is where most serious creative business owners invest.
  • $6,500 to $10,000+ — Senior designers with a strong portfolio, high demand, and a track record of results. North Design Co operates in this range, with packages starting from $5,700 for brand and web work and scaling to $9,700+ for comprehensive projects. Davey and Krista are another well-regarded studio at this level, known for their deep integration of SEO and design for photographers and creative businesses. At this tier, packages often include brand identity work, copywriting, custom code, and extended support.

The price you see on a services page is not the total cost. Add your Showit plan ($22 to $36/month), your domain ($10 to $20/year), WordPress hosting ($10 to $25/month), and any add-ons. Budget at least $600 to $900 for your first year of running costs on top of the design fee. You can find a full breakdown in the cost to hire a Showit designer guide.

How Long Does a Showit Project Actually Take?

Timeline is one of the most common surprises for first-time clients. The design work itself is rarely the delay. For a complete picture of what to expect week by week, read the Showit design process guide. In summary:

  • Template customization: 2 to 4 weeks from kickoff to launch
  • Custom Showit design: 4 to 8 weeks depending on page count, revision rounds, and client feedback speed

If you want a more detailed breakdown of how long each phase takes and why, the custom Showit build timeline guide walks through it week by week.

Questions to Ask Before Signing

Knowing what is included in a Showit website design package on paper is one thing. Knowing what you are actually getting from this specific designer is another. Ask these before you commit:

  • How many pages are included, and what are they?
  • Does the mobile canvas receive a full custom design or adjustments from desktop?
  • How many revision rounds are included per page?
  • What does SEO setup include, specifically? Can you give me a line-item list?
  • Is WordPress blog setup included?
  • Which tech integrations are included?
  • What is the timeline from kickoff to launch?
  • What does post-launch support cover and for how long?
  • What is not included that I might need?

A designer who answers these clearly, without hesitation, is one who has done this many times and respects your decision-making process. For the full list with follow-up questions and what each answer tells you, see the complete questions to ask before hiring a Showit designer.

How to Compare Packages from Different Designers

Once you have quotes from two or three designers, put the deliverables side by side. Do not compare total price — compare price per deliverable. A $4,000 package with 8 pages, full SEO, mobile, integrations, and 30 days support is better value than a $3,200 package with 5 pages, basic SEO, and 14 days support.

Also look at the designer’s portfolio critically. Does their work look like what you want? Have they built for businesses in your niche? Their portfolio tells you what they actually know how to produce, not what their services page says. Read through the red flags to watch for when hiring a Showit designer before making your final choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pages are typically included in a Showit website design package?

Most mid-range packages include 5 to 7 pages. Entry-level template customization packages may include 4 to 5 pages. Custom design packages at higher price points often go up to 8 to 10 pages. Always confirm the exact page list before signing because “pages” can mean different things to different designers.

Is SEO included in a Showit website design package?

Most packages include basic SEO setup, but “basic” varies widely. Professional SEO setup means page titles, meta descriptions, heading structure, alt text, canonical tags, sitemap submission, and Google Search Console configuration. Ask for a specific list of SEO tasks included. If a designer cannot give you one, the SEO work is likely minimal. You can also review the Showit SEO checklist to know what to look for, and read whether Showit is good for SEO to set realistic expectations for the platform itself.

Does a Showit design package include copywriting?

Usually not. Most designers offer copywriting templates, copywriting audits, or a copywriting add-on, but full website copywriting is typically a separate service. If you need help with the words on your site, ask the designer whether they work with a copywriting partner or can refer one.

How long does a Showit website design project take?

Template customization projects typically take 2 to 4 weeks from kickoff to launch. Custom Showit design projects take 4 to 8 weeks depending on the scope, the number of revision rounds, and how quickly the client provides feedback and content. Delays almost always come from waiting on copy, images, or client feedback rather than design work. Read the full custom Showit timeline breakdown for a week-by-week picture.

What is not included in a standard Showit design package?

Standard exclusions across most packages are: copywriting, photography, your Showit subscription, domain registration, WordPress hosting, ongoing maintenance, paid advertising, and social media content creation. Any add-ons beyond the core package scope should be quoted and agreed upon before work begins. The Showit pricing guide breaks down the platform subscription costs separately so you can budget the full picture.

Can I add pages or features after the project starts?

Yes, but expect additional charges. Most designers will quote add-ons as separate line items once the project is in progress. Adding scope mid-project can also extend the timeline, so it is better to plan for every page you need before kickoff than to add them later.

About the Author

Adil Makhdoom is a Showit website designer and SEO specialist with 90+ custom Showit projects completed. He builds Showit sites for photographers, coaches, and creative service providers who want a website that both looks right and ranks on Google. If you want to understand exactly what would be in your package before committing to anything, reach out for a no-pressure conversation.