We all love when there’s a new, easier way to work. Especially when it comes to designing and updating our websites. And Showit recently released exciting new features that have designers and Showiteers buzzing! 

In this post, we’ll go through 3 new features in Showit. First we’ll look at using a gradient for your canvas background on the desktop and mobile versions of your website.

Then I’ll show you how to add a shadow to your shapes, images, text and icons to make those elements really pop!

And finally, we’ll cover a new way of giving a Showit designer, VA or another team member access to your site without sharing login details.

Let’s get started!

How to Add a Gradient in Showit

With this new feature in Showit, there’s no more need to use code to use a gradient! Or to hunt through Canva, create a design, download, upload to your site and post 🥵

Now you can give your canvas a gradient background in just a couple clicks (for shapes with gradients you’ll still need code or Canva!):

1. Navigate to the canvas where you want to use a gradient

2. Under the Canvas Background tab on the right menu, select “Gradient” from the dropdown menu for “Type”

3. Click the “transparent” box next to “Color Start” and select a color from your palette (or add a hex code)

4. Click the “transparent” box next to “Color End” and select a color from your palette (or add a hex code)

5. Click and drag the slider to change the rotation of the gradient (or type in a number like 180 if you just want to flip it)

6. Repeat on the mobile version of your site (if you want)

Pro tip: 

Go dark(er) for your start color and light(er) for your end color (or vice versa). That will give you a gorgeous blend of colors for your canvas.

You can also change the transparency of both the colors just next to where you choose from your palette.

How to Add a Gradient to a Background Image in Showit

You don’t just have to stick with a plain gradient background – you can apply it to a background image, too!

The process is basically the same:

1.Go to the canvas where you want to add the gradient and image

2. Under the Canvas Background tab on the right menu, select “Image” from the dropdown menu for “Type”

3. Scroll down a bit (still in the Canvas Background tab) until you see the option for “Underlay” and select “Gradient” from the dropdown menu

4. Choose your Start and End colors, edit the opacity and change the gradient rotation like you did in the steps above.

5. Do the same for your mobile site!

How to Add a Drop Shadow in Showit

I absolutely love this new feature in Showit! It’s now possible to add a drop shadow to anything and everything – I’m going to have to hold myself back!

Here’s how to do it:

Adding a drop shadow to a shape:

1. Click to select your shape (this is great for buttons, cards or anything really)

2. In the right side menu, click the Effects tab

3. From the drop down menu next to Drop Shadow click to select “Outer” (we’ll cover inner in a sec)

4. Click the black square next to Color to change the color for your shadow (if you want). You can also change the opacity just next to it

5. X-offset changes the amount of shadow to the left and right of the object. You can either drag the slider or pop a number (positive or negative) into the box

6. Y-offset changes the amount of shadow to above and below the object. Just like above, you can either drag the slider or pop a number (positive or negative) into the box

7. Blur changes how sharp or soft your shadow is. Drag the slider to change the number in the box.

8. Repeat on the mobile version of your site, too!

Pro tip: 

Play around with the x- and y-offsets, blur and even the color of your shadow to find something that suits your brand but also the size of the object. Really large “cards” might need a bigger shadow, while something like a button would be best suited for a smaller more subtle shadow. Have fun and see what works best for your website!

Adding a drop shadow to an image in Showit:

1. Add or select your image
2. Follow steps 2-8 above. It’s so easy!

And it’s the same steps for adding a shadow to text or an icon. That being said, you don’t want to add a drop shadow to everything. Try to use it sparingly to draw attention to important elements of your website. Or to spice things up when they’re feeling a little blah or repetitive.

Now let’s go back to that “inner shadow” option. You set it just the same way as an “outer shadow”, it just creates a different look, sort of like the element is sunken or embossed.

And you can do it with images and shapes, but not lines, text or icons.

How to Add a Contributor to Your Showit Website

Ok, so this feature in Showit is a little bit older, but still helpful. Especially if you have a VA, website designer or other team members that need access to the backend of Showit, adding a contributor is a big help. That’s because you don’t have to share passwords and have complete control over who can access your website.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on your name in the lower left corner (or you can access this part of your Showit account here)

2. In the pop up menu, click “Manage Account” (this will take you out of the editor and into a new screen so don’t worry!)

3. Scroll down to the bottom of this new screen to Contributor Access

4. Add the email address of the person you want to add (they have to have a Showit account already) and hit Share Design Access

5. That person will receive an email notification

6. That’s it!

As I mentioned, this only works if the Contributor already has their own Showit subscription. So it might now work in all cases, but is definitely better than sharing login details!

And if or when you want to revoke access (like when a project is finished or you change team members), just follow the steps 1-3 above. And then choose to revoke access. The person will NOT get an email letting them know they know longer have contributor access to your website.

Summary

We’ve gone through 3 new features in Showit that will help you level up your website: Adding a gradient as a canvas background; adding a drop shadow to shapes, text, images and icons; and giving contributor access to your Showit designer or a VA.

Now my question to you: which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

And if you want to level up your About page specifically, check out this blog post. Or if you fancy the sales page template used in the images, grab yours from the Wild Rose Creative Etsy shop right here.