Ever found yourself eager to launch your website, but it’s just not quite ready? A “Coming Soon” page is the perfect way to build anticipation while you finish working behind the scenes. Whether you want to capture leads, tease your brand, or simply let visitors know something exciting is on the way, knowing how to set up one in WordPress is essential.
In this article, you’ll discover easy steps, helpful tips, and best practices to create a standout Coming Soon page for your site.
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How to Create an Amazing WordPress Coming Soon Page
A “coming soon” page is one of the simplest, yet most effective, tools for building anticipation, collecting leads, and establishing your brand before your site even launches. This guide will walk you step-by-step through how to create a coming soon page in WordPress, what features to consider, and the best practices to ensure your page really shines—even before your full site is ready.
What is a Coming Soon Page (and Why Use One)?
A coming soon page is a temporary landing page that lets visitors know that something exciting is on its way. It’s commonly used when:
- Launching a brand-new website.
- Revamping an existing site.
- Conducting behind-the-scenes maintenance.
The benefits of a coming soon page include:
- Building curiosity and excitement for your launch.
- Establishing your brand presence early.
- Collecting email leads from potential customers or fans.
- Sharing your launch date or a countdown timer.
- Providing a professional experience while work is ongoing.
Approaches to Creating a Coming Soon Page in WordPress
There are two main ways to set up a coming soon page on your WordPress site:
- Using a WordPress Plugin
- Manually Create a Page (Without a Plugin)
Let’s break down both methods so you can choose the best option for your needs.
1. Using a WordPress Plugin
Plugins are the quickest and most beginner-friendly solution. Popular plugins make the process easy, and you don’t need to touch any code.
Popular WordPress Coming Soon Page Plugins
- SeedProd: Known for its drag-and-drop builder, ready-made templates, and lead collection forms.
- Minimal Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode: Lets you quickly activate a clean and customizable coming soon page.
- Maintenance: Simple setup for basic “under construction” notices.
- Kadence Blocks: Powerful blocks that help you build stylish landing pages.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up a Coming Soon Page with a Plugin
Let’s walk through a typical setup, using SeedProd as an example (most plugins follow similar steps):
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Install and Activate the Plugin
- From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for your chosen plugin (like SeedProd).
- Click “Install,” then “Activate.”
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Configure the Plugin
- Once activated, find the plugin’s menu item (usually in the dashboard sidebar).
- Choose to create a new ‘Coming Soon’ or ‘Maintenance’ page.
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Select or Design Your Coming Soon Page
- Pick a template that fits your brand or vision.
- Use the drag-and-drop builder to customize text, images, colors, and elements.
- Add a headline, a short message, and, if possible, a countdown timer or launch date.
- Insert an email signup form to collect leads (many plugins offer built-in integrations).
-
Publish the Page
- Preview your page.
- Click to activate “Coming Soon Mode” (this hides your actual site from visitors and only shows the coming soon page).
- Only logged-in users (like you or your team) can see the actual site while you work on it.
-
Test Your Page
- Open your site in an incognito browser or log out to see what new visitors will experience.
- Make final adjustments as needed.
Pros of Using a Plugin
- No coding required.
- Usually mobile-friendly out of the box.
- Quick setup and options for customization.
- Built-in lead capture and countdown features.
Cons
- May add slightly to your site’s load time.
- Some advanced features may require a paid version.
2. Creating a Coming Soon Page Without a Plugin
If you’re comfortable with WordPress and want minimal overhead, you can manually create a coming soon page.
Manual Setup Steps
-
Create a New Page
- From your dashboard, go to Pages > Add New.
- Title your page (e.g., “Coming Soon”).
-
Design the Page
- Use the WordPress block editor to add headings, text, images, buttons, or even a simple contact form.
- Emphasize your message—keep it simple and on-brand.
-
Set the Page as Your Homepage
- Go to Settings > Reading.
- Under “Your homepage displays,” select “A static page.”
- Choose your new “Coming Soon” page as the homepage.
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Restrict Access to Other Pages (Optional)
- Consider using simple code or minimal plugins to redirect all traffic to your coming soon page.
- For a completely manual approach, you might need basic custom code in your theme’s
functions.phpfile.
Pros of the Manual Method
- Total control over design and features.
- Very lightweight—no extra plugin code.
- Good if you only need a basic announcement and don’t want to collect leads.
Cons
- Not as feature-rich as plugins.
- Manual effort needed to restrict access or display forms/countdowns.
- More suited to those comfortable working in WordPress.
Key Elements to Include on Your Coming Soon Page
No matter which method you use, a good coming soon page should feature some key elements:
- Clear Branding: Logo and consistent branding set expectations.
- Short Message: State what’s coming and why it’s exciting.
- Call-To-Action: Encourage visitors to sign up for updates or follow your social channels.
- Countdown Timer: Builds anticipation (optional but effective).
- Email Signup Form: Essential for collecting leads and building your launch audience.
- Social Links: Add ways for visitors to connect and follow your progress.
- Contact Information: Provide a way to reach you for inquiries or collaborations.
Tips and Best Practices for Coming Soon Pages
- Keep It Simple: Avoid clutter—focus on your message and goal.
- Make It Attractive: Use high-quality images and appealing fonts.
- Test Responsiveness: Ensure it looks good on phones and tablets.
- Use a Strong CTA: “Get Notified,” “Join the Waitlist,” or “Be First to Know.”
- Highlight the Launch Date: If you have a set date, make it prominent.
- Integrate with Email Services: Connect lead forms to Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or similar email tools.
- Optimize for SEO: Include your business name, description, and keywords so search engines start indexing your site.
- Offer Incentives: Promise an exclusive offer or early access to boost signups.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Forgetting Mobile Users
- Always preview your coming soon page on different devices.
- Use plugins/themes that are mobile-friendly by default.
2. Collecting but Not Using Emails
- Plan an email sequence: confirm signups, give sneak peeks, or remind users of your launch.
3. No Clear Purpose or CTA
- Every visitor should immediately understand what’s coming and what action to take.
4. Breaking Site Functionality
- Always use reputable plugins.
- Back up your site before making major changes.
- Test your page as a logged-out user.
Cost Considerations
Most coming soon plugins offer a free version that covers basic needs. Premium versions can range from $20–$70 (one-time payment or annual license), adding advanced features such as:
- More template designs
- Advanced integrations
- Detailed analytics
- Team access
If your needs are minimal, you can often set up a coming soon page entirely for free using the manual approach or a basic plugin. Factoring in your time and potential lead collection, investing in a premium plugin may pay off, especially if you plan to launch more sites in the future.
Real-World Inspiration: What Makes a Great Coming Soon Page?
Here are features seen across successful coming soon pages by top brands and creative businesses:
- Bold Visuals: They use a hero image or catchy graphics.
- Unique Copywriting: Messaging that tells visitors what to expect and why it matters.
- Personal Touch: Founders or team members add a short introduction or video.
- Social Proof: Display testimonials or mention media appearances.
- Fun Interactions: Countdown timers, animated graphics, or playful teasers.
Many of the best tools and plugin-based solutions provide professionally designed templates so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Summary
Launching your website with a coming soon page gives you a head start in building buzz, gathering leads, and crafting a brand presence—even before your full site is ready.
- Use plugins for quick, easy setups with extra features.
- Manual methods offer more control, perfect if you want a lightweight or highly custom page.
- Always include a clear message, strong visuals, and a way to collect leads.
- Test across devices to ensure your first impression is a good one.
A coming soon page isn’t just a placeholder—it’s your invitation to the world to get excited about what’s next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need coding skills to create a coming soon page in WordPress?
No, most methods (especially when using plugins) require no coding knowledge. You can use drag-and-drop builders or pre-designed templates.
2. Can I collect emails from visitors on my coming soon page?
Absolutely! Most popular coming soon plugins let you add an email signup form and integrate with email marketing providers.
3. Will visitors still see my main website while the coming soon page is active?
No, when “coming soon mode” is enabled, only visitors who are not logged in will see the coming soon page. You and your team (when logged in as admins) can access the full site as usual.
4. Is it possible to make a coming soon page without a plugin?
Yes, you can create a standalone page and set it as your homepage. However, you’ll need additional steps (sometimes involving light code) to ensure the rest of your site stays hidden from visitors.
5. Can search engines index my coming soon page?
Search engines will index whatever page is set as your homepage. For best results, add basic SEO information and make your coming soon page valuable for early discovery.
With your coming soon page in place, you’re well on your way to a successful website launch—building excitement, collecting leads, and setting the stage for what’s next!