We love custom projects. We’ll always love custom projects. There is something both extremely satisfying and exciting about getting to “peek behind the curtain” of a business and craft a website that fits someone so perfectly it feels like it’s always belonged to them.
But custom work is also a considerable investment for our clients. They need to consider time, resources, money, decision-making, and the benefit of collaborating with designers.
And over the past couple years, we started noticing a pattern.
Not everyone needs custom right now
The reality is, some people are:
- early in their business venture and building momentum
- pivoting into a new niche
- coming off a slow season
- trying to upgrade their online presence without going all-in yet
- growing fast and needing something better
- looking for a custom-feel, but don’t quite have the budget for a custom site
We wanted to create a way to bridge the gap.
You shouldn’t have to choose between “high-end” and “affordable.”
You shouldn’t have to settle for something that feels generic just because custom isn’t in your budget.
That’s where the idea for our template shop came in.
Hi, We’re Jenna + Lauryn (the Showit Designers Behind Nectar)
But long before Nectar, we have been best friends of over 20 years. We help small businesses create brands and websites that feel intentional, polished, and uniquely theirs. We’ve built close to 50 custom sites, and we’ve loved helping our clients grow, stand out, and feel proud of their online presence.
I (Jenna) bring a background in art and illustration, adding custom doodles and artistic touches, while Lauryn focuses on layouts and experiences that feel polished and strategic. We care about supporting independent businesses at every stage, which is exactly what inspired our template shop. This is kind of our life…and we live for the happy chaos that comes with running Nectar!
Why We Built a Template Shop in a Market Dominated by a Few Big Names
We’re probably not the first to say it, and we won’t be the last: the Showit template world is busy. There are a lot of templates out there. A lot of options. A lot of “pretty” designs. And a few, big names.
So, why make a template shop?
Because we weren’t seeing enough templates that feel like what we build for our custom clients.
We weren’t seeing enough templates that felt:
- intentional
- strategic and guided
- elevated but still easy to use
- designed to be customized (not just edited)
A lot of templates are created to look amazing in a demo… but once you plug in your own photos, your own brand colors, and your own content, they don’t feel like your own.
Or they look fine, but they still feel like something you bought off a shelf.
And that wasn’t what we wanted to put into the world.
So we asked ourselves a better question:
What if a template could feel custom once you add your branding?
Not “custom” in a break-the-budget way. And not “custom” in a technically convoluted way.
But custom in the sense that:
- it fits your content
- it supports your services
- it highlights your work beautifully
- it feels like nothing you’ve seen before
- it doesn’t scream, “this is a template”
That’s the goal behind every template we create.
What Makes Our Showit Templates Feel Different
We design templates the same way we design custom websites: with intention and care.
Here’s what we bake into every template:
1) A layout that can handle real content
We design for real-life businesses. Not placeholder text that magically fits perfectly.
Your content might be longer, offerings might need more explanation, and your gallery might have a specific flow.
Our templates are built to support that without breaking the design.
2) Strategic page structure
Your website isn’t just a portfolio. It’s a path.
We think about the order people click, what they need to see first, and what questions they’re silently asking as they scroll.
That means we build sections with purpose, not filler.
3) A custom feel once branding is applied
We’re not interested in templates that are instantly recognizable. This isn’t about us. It’s about you.
Our goal is that once you add your own:
- fonts
- colors
- imagery
- brand voice
- copy
…it feels like it was custom made for you.
4) Premium video tutorials (because you shouldn’t have to guess)
This part matters so much.
Most people don’t get stuck because they’re not capable. They get stuck because they don’t have a clear process or set of instructions.
So, with every template, we include video tutorials that walk you through:
- how to import and edit the template
- how to update fonts + colors
- how to swap images without wrecking spacing
- how to optimize for mobile and make it look good
- How to set up your WordPress blog
- how to publish your site and get it live
5) A copywriting guide (because the words matter just as much as the design)
Most people think editing a template will be easy… until it’s time to write the words.
Because swapping colors and photos is one thing, but writing your home page, your about section, and your services in a way that feels true to your brand voice (and not cookie-cutter) is a whole different skill.
That’s why our two current templates include a complete copywriting guide written by The Kinfolk Creative — so you get SEO guidance, and you’re not staring at blank sections wondering what to say.
It’s start-to-finish support, without needing to Google or ChatGPT your way through the entire thing.
Who Our Showit Templates Are For (And Who They’re Not For)
Our templates are perfect if you:
- want a website that feels elevated fast
- don’t want to start from scratch
- want something plug-and-play but not boring
- desire a site that looks custom once you apply your branding
- need guidance to get it live without stress
They might not be the best fit if you:
- want a completely one-of-one layout built around your exact business model
- need custom strategy, structure, and a full copy overhaul
- want a full brand identity created from scratch first
And if that’s you? We love custom work too. Truly.
But we also love giving people a next-best option that still feels aligned with their goals.
What We’re Building (And What’s Coming Next)
Right now, we have two templates live (Lada & Sloane Mae) — and more coming over the next few months.
We’re taking our time with each one because we’re not trying to flood the shop with dozens of “meh” options.
We’re building a collection of templates that feel like:
- vintage heirlooms
- bold, arthouse layouts
- Cinematic experiences
- modern + timeless choices
The kind of websites that make people say: “Wait… this was a template?”
When You Know You’ve Outgrown “Good Enough”
There’s a point where a basic portfolio site doesn’t match the level of work you’re creating anymore. You’ve improved. Your client experience has improved, pricing has grown, and your brand has evolved.
But your website is still giving “starter site.” There is a disconnect between the site and what your Instagram account is delivering.
That’s why this kind of upgrade isn’t just for right now. A well-designed Showit template can easily support you for the next five years of growth.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign… this is it.
The Honest Truth: A Custom Showit Website Isn’t Always the Right Next Step
We’re Kinfolk Creative—better known as the Visibility Duo.
One part strategy, one part storytelling, and a dash of “why didn’t I think of that?” We help business owners ditch the generic copy and finally show up online like they actually mean it.
If your website reads like a resume from 2014, your “About” page makes you cringe, or you’re just plain tired of yelling into the void—we’re your people.
We write words that sound like you, speak to them, and get clicks without the cringe.
