If you’re leading or supporting a B2B sales team, you already know the mess: scattered decks, outdated PDFs, and everyone scrambling to find “the latest version.” There’s no shortage of tools promising to fix it, but most are either overhyped, overpriced, or a pain to get reps to actually use.
So, is Showell the exception? This review cuts through the fluff. If you’re weighing Showell for your go-to-market stack—maybe you’re annoyed with SharePoint, or you’re tired of sending files by email—read on. I’ll dig into what Showell does, how it actually works day-to-day, and where it falls short.
What Showell Is (and Isn’t)
Showell calls itself a “sales enablement platform.” In plain English, it’s a web and mobile app that organizes, manages, and tracks your sales content—think presentations, PDFs, videos, brochures—in one place. The goal: give reps everything they need, updated and on-brand, without tons of manual searching.
What it does well:
- Centralizes sales content so you’re not hunting through email or old folders
- Lets marketing control what’s available and keep it up-to-date
- Provides basic analytics on what’s being shared and opened
- Works offline (helpful if your team’s often on the road or in spotty Wi-Fi)
What it doesn't do:
- Replace your CRM or pipeline management tools
- Automate outreach or email sequencing
- Act as a full-blown document collaboration suite
If you’re hoping for something to magically “boost sales productivity 10x,” you’ll be disappointed. But if you just want your team to stop sending the wrong deck, Showell’s in the right ballpark.
The Main Features (Without the Marketing Spin)
Let’s look at what you actually get, not just what’s on the splash page.
1. Content Library
What works:
You get a central content library, organized by folders and tags. It’s much more user-friendly than dumping everything in Google Drive or Dropbox. You can control who sees what—so your US reps and EU reps don’t get their wires crossed.
What’s meh:
The admin interface is fine, but not exactly intuitive. Expect some onboarding time for whoever manages your content. Search is decent, but not magic—you’ll still want to train reps on how you organize things.
Pro tip:
Set up a simple folder structure up front, and stick to it. Otherwise, the library turns into a junk drawer.
2. Sharing & Presenting
What works:
Reps can build custom presentations on the fly by grabbing slides or documents from the library. You can present in person, over video calls, or send a link to a “virtual briefcase” (a shareable microsite with selected files).
What’s meh:
The in-app presentation tools are OK, but don’t expect PowerPoint-level polish. Some file types (like complex Excel sheets) don’t render perfectly. Sharing by link works, but if your buyers are strict about email security, some links might get flagged.
Pro tip:
Always test how your shared content looks on both desktop and mobile. It’s easy to assume it’s perfect until a prospect opens it on their phone.
3. Analytics
What works:
You get basic stats: which files are most used, what’s being shared, and (if you use the virtual briefcase) who’s opening what. This is handy for marketing to see what’s actually working in the field.
What’s meh:
The analytics are surface-level. You’ll know a prospect opened your link, but you won’t get deep engagement data (like “they watched slide 3 for 2 minutes”). If you want granular insights, you’ll need to plug into other tools.
4. Offline Access
What works:
The mobile app (iOS and Android) lets you download content for offline use. This is a real plus if your team works at trade shows, in hospitals, or in places with unreliable internet.
What’s meh:
Syncing works, but it’s not foolproof. If reps forget to update before heading out, they might be stuck with old files.
5. Integrations
What works:
Showell can connect with SharePoint, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive, so you don’t have to manually upload everything. It also has a Salesforce integration, but…
What’s meh:
Integrations are pretty basic—think “file sync,” not deep automation. The Salesforce integration mainly lets you launch Showell from within Salesforce; it’s not going to magically update your records or log detailed engagement.
The Real-World Experience: What to Expect After You Buy
Here’s how Showell typically plays out for a B2B sales team:
Setup
- Expect a learning curve, especially for whoever manages your content. It’s not rocket science, but it’s not “plug and play” either.
- Don’t expect reps to organize content for you. If you want order, someone needs to own it (usually marketing or sales ops).
Adoption
- Reps will use it—if you make it dead simple. The more clicks you add, the less likely busy salespeople are to bother.
- Training matters. A one-hour live demo beats a stack of PDFs. Show real examples. Set up a couple of “go-to” folders.
- Don’t oversell it. It’s a handy tool, not a magic wand.
Day-to-Day
- Most value: Consistent content, less time wasted hunting for files, basic analytics for marketing.
- Biggest complaint: “Why can’t I just use Google Drive/Dropbox?” (Answer: you can, but you’ll lose control and tracking.)
- Biggest risk: The platform gets cluttered and out of date if someone isn’t actively maintaining it.
When Showell Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
Good fit if…
- You have a distributed sales team and a lot of product collateral
- Marketing wants to control what’s sent out, but sales needs flexibility
- You’re tired of version control headaches and rogue decks
Not a good fit if…
- Your team is tiny and mostly works off email anyway
- You want a CRM replacement, or deep automation
- You’re allergic to any admin work (someone does need to own it)
Alternatives Worth Considering
- Highspot: Slicker interface, deeper analytics, but pricier and more complex
- Showpad: Similar feature set, aimed at larger teams or those who want more integrations
- Google Drive/Dropbox: Simple, cheap, but you sacrifice control and tracking
Pro tip:
If you’re not sure, run a pilot with a small team. Don’t roll it out to 100 reps until you know people will actually use it.
Pricing: What You’ll Actually Pay
Showell keeps pricing close to the vest, but expect a per-user, per-month fee, plus possible onboarding or support costs if you want white-glove treatment. It’s generally cheaper than Highspot or Seismic, but more expensive than just using Google Drive. If budget is tight, push for a pilot or starter tier before you commit.
What to Ignore (Don’t Fall for the Hype)
- Claims of “AI-powered” anything: Showell has some search and tagging features, but don’t expect a robot to pick your best deck.
- Promises of “transforming sales culture”: It’s a tool. If your process is broken, Showell won’t fix that.
- Buzzwords about “alignment” or “synergy”: You still need to communicate with your team. No tool does that for you.
Keeping It Simple: Final Thoughts
Showell is a solid, practical tool for B2B sales teams who need to keep their collateral organized and on-brand. It’s not going to revolutionize your sales process, but it can save time, cut down on mistakes, and give marketing better visibility. Like any tool, its value comes from how you use it—and whether you keep things organized.
My advice: Start small, get your key content in order, and see if reps actually find it useful. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of done. Iterate as you go, and keep asking: “Is this making life easier for the team?” If the answer’s yes, that’s a win.