Ever landed on a website that proudly announces “Coming Soon”? Whether you’re launching a new blog or revamping an online store, setting up a “Coming Soon” page on your WordPress site is a smart move. It builds anticipation, keeps visitors informed, and even captures leads before your site goes live.
In this article, you’ll discover the simplest ways to create an effective “Coming Soon” page, step-by-step guidance, and helpful tips to make your launch unforgettable.
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How to Put Your WordPress Site in “Coming Soon” Mode
Are you working on a new WordPress website and want to keep it under wraps until you’re ready to unveil it to the world? Putting your site in “coming soon” mode allows you to privately build, tweak, and perfect your content without risking visitors seeing an unfinished product. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to create an attractive coming soon page, the benefits of doing so, and the best practices to get your site launch-ready.
What Is a “Coming Soon” Page?
A “coming soon” page is a temporary landing page indicating your website is under construction but will be launching soon. When people visit your domain, they’ll see this page rather than your unfinished website. Meanwhile, you can continue working on your site in the background.
A coming soon page typically includes:
– A short message or headline (like “Coming Soon!” or “Launching Shortly”)
– Basic information about your brand or project
– An email sign-up form (optional) for launch notifications
– Social media links or contact information
Why Use a Coming Soon Page?
There are several reasons to use a coming soon page while developing your WordPress site:
- Privacy: Restricts public access to work-in-progress sections and content.
- Professionalism: Ensures first-time visitors aren’t greeted by a half-finished site.
- Anticipation: Builds excitement and curiosity for your upcoming launch.
- Lead Generation: Collects interested visitors’ emails for future marketing.
- SEO Preparation: Gives search engines a placeholder page rather than indexing incomplete content.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Coming Soon Page on WordPress
You have multiple ways to create a coming soon page in WordPress. Let’s break down the most popular methods, from using built-in settings to leveraging plugins or themes.
1. Use a WordPress Plugin (Recommended)
The easiest and most customizable way to set up a coming soon page is by installing a dedicated plugin. Here’s how:
a. Choose a Coming Soon Plugin
Some popular and beginner-friendly options include:
– SeedProd
– WP Maintenance Mode
– Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode by Colorlib
– Minimal Coming Soon
b. Install and Activate the Plugin
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
- Search for the plugin of your choice.
- Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
c. Configure Your Coming Soon Page
- Find the new plugin section in your dashboard sidebar.
- Choose a template or start with a blank layout.
- Add elements such as:
- Logo or brand name
- Headline (e.g., “Coming Soon!”)
- Short description or teaser
- Email sign-up form (optional)
- Social media icons or links
-
Background image or color
-
Customize typography, colors, and layout as desired.
d. Enable Coming Soon Mode
- Most plugins have a simple toggle or button to make your coming soon page live.
- Only logged-in admins (like you) will see the real, unpublished website—the public will see your coming soon page.
2. Use Built-in WordPress Features
If you’re using WordPress.com or a block-theme (FSE/full site editing) website, you may have a built-in “Coming Soon” option in your dashboard.
- Navigate to “Settings.”
- Find “Privacy” or “Site Visibility.”
- Set your site to “Private” during development (only admins can view).
- Before launch, change to “Public” and update your main homepage.
This method is more limited but keeps things simple if you don’t need customizations.
3. Create a Static Coming Soon Page (Theme Method)
Advanced users can create a custom static page:
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Pages” > “Add New.”
- Name it “Coming Soon.”
- Design your page with the block editor or a page builder.
- Go to “Settings” > “Reading” and set this page as your homepage.
- When you’re ready to launch, switch your homepage to your main landing page.
Best Practices for an Effective Coming Soon Page
Follow these tips to maximize the impact of your coming soon page:
1. Keep It Simple & Clear
- Use a bold headline (e.g., “We’re Launching Soon!”).
- Add a concise subheading or description about your brand or service.
2. Add a Call-to-Action
- Invite visitors to sign up for launch alerts or newsletters.
- Encourage social media follows for updates.
3. Use Eye-Catching Visuals
- Choose a striking background image or color that matches your branding.
- Keep fonts and colors consistent.
4. Include Contact Options
- Provide an email or contact form for business inquiries.
- Share your social media profiles for extra engagement.
5. Optimize for Mobile
- Make sure your page looks and functions well on smartphones and tablets.
6. Test Before Launch
- Visit your site in incognito mode or log out to see the page as the public does.
- Check for typos, broken links, and form functionality.
Benefits of Using a Coming Soon Page Plugin
Why use a plugin instead of simple privacy settings? Here’s what you gain:
- Customization: Choose unique templates without coding.
- Lead Capture: Add sign-up forms for email marketing.
- Analytics Integration: Track visitors and sign-ups.
- Countdown Timer: Visually build anticipation for your launch date.
- Drag-and-Drop Builder: Effortlessly adjust layout and content.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Even though setting up a coming soon page is simple, you might face a few hurdles:
1. Caching Issues
Sometimes, caching plugins or server cache can prevent the coming soon page from displaying. If you see your regular site instead of the coming soon page:
- Clear your browser cache.
- Clear site and plugin cache via your WordPress dashboard or hosting panel.
2. Search Engine Indexing
Make sure your unfinished site isn’t indexed by search engines before it’s ready:
- Use your coming soon plugin’s SEO settings to block robots.
- Double-check “Search Engine Visibility” is turned off in “Settings > Reading.”
3. Limited Features on Free Plans
Some plugins or hosting platforms restrict access to premium templates or sign-up integrations. To unlock more features:
- Consider investing in a premium plugin or theme if your budget allows.
- Use a theme with built-in coming soon templates to save money.
Cost Tips for Budget-Friendly Launches
Launching with a coming soon page doesn’t have to be expensive:
- Look for free plugins. Many great coming soon plugins offer essential features at no cost.
- Use built-in pages. If you’re on a tight budget, use WordPress’s built-in privacy settings and a simple custom page.
- Skip paid templates initially. Start with free layouts or adapt theme templates for your coming soon design.
- Check hosting features. Some hosts offer free coming soon or maintenance mode options.
If you plan to collect emails or run advanced marketing, consider allocating a small budget for a quality plugin later.
Examples and Inspiration
A good coming soon page can be stylish, minimal, or interactive—what matters is clear messaging and a way to stay in touch. Consider these ideas:
- A bold hero image with a coming soon headline.
- Countdown timer and launch date.
- Branding elements and value proposition.
- Email capture form.
- Social links and teaser messages about what’s to come.
Page builder plugins and many themes come with ready-to-edit templates, letting you launch a great-looking page in minutes.
Final Steps: Taking Your Site Live
When your website is finished and ready for the public:
- Disable the Coming Soon Page: Turn off coming soon mode in your plugin or settings.
- Check Homepage Settings: Update your homepage to point to your actual site.
- Double-Check SEO and Visibility: Allow search engines to index your site.
- Test as a Visitor: Confirm everything looks perfect for first-time visitors.
- Announce Your Launch: Email your subscribers, post on social, and start sharing your live site!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I create a coming soon page in WordPress for free?
You can use free plugins like Minimal Coming Soon or set your homepage to a custom “Coming Soon” page using the block editor. Many themes offer simple page templates to get started at no cost.
Will search engines see my unfinished website while the coming soon page is active?
Most coming soon plugins allow you to block search engines from indexing your site while you work on it. Always check your plugin’s SEO settings and the “Search Engine Visibility” box in WordPress settings.
Can I collect email addresses on my coming soon page?
Absolutely! Many plugins let you add email sign-up forms. You can connect these forms to a service like MailChimp or save sign-ups directly in your website dashboard.
What’s the difference between a “Coming Soon” page and a “Maintenance Mode” page?
A “Coming Soon” page is for new sites that haven’t launched yet. “Maintenance Mode” is meant for websites that are temporarily down for updates or fixes. The content and messaging are usually different.
How do I make sure only I can see the real site?
Most plugins show the coming soon page to all visitors but let logged-in administrators browse and edit the unpublished website. Test this by logging out or using a private browser window to make sure only the coming soon page is shown to visitors.
Creating a coming soon page is a simple step that makes your website launch smoother, more professional, and more buzz-worthy. You get to build in private, grow an audience, and start off on the right foot—making your grand debut something worth waiting for!