Enabling a Coming Soon mode is a great way to let visitors know that your website or a specific page is under construction or launching soon. It helps create anticipation while you work on building or updating your site. With OzSpeed’s Website Builder and WordPress, you can easily set up a “Coming Soon” page to display a custom message, countdown, or a lead capture form. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to enable “Coming Soon” mode.
Step 1: Create a “Coming Soon” Page #
Start by creating a dedicated page to serve as your “Coming Soon” landing page.
Using Website Builder: #
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Website Builder > Edit Site.
- Click on Pages > Add New Page.
- Name the page Coming Soon.
- Choose a Coming Soon Template if available or select Blank Page to design your own.
Using WordPress: #
- Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
- Go to Pages > Add New.
- Enter the title Coming Soon and click Publish.
- Use a page builder like Elementor or the Block Editor to design the page.
Tip: #
- Keep the design simple with a clear message like “We’re Launching Soon” and a call-to-action (e.g., “Join Our Newsletter”).
Step 2: Customize Your “Coming Soon” Page #
Add essential elements to your “Coming Soon” page to make it engaging and informative.
Suggested Elements: #
- Headline: Announce the launch (e.g., “Coming Soon: Our New Website!”).
- Subheadline: Provide a brief explanation (e.g., “We’re working hard to bring you a better experience. Stay tuned!”).
- Countdown Timer: Display a countdown to the launch date.
- Lead Capture Form: Collect email addresses for updates (e.g., “Sign up to be the first to know when we launch”).
- Social Media Links: Encourage visitors to follow your social media profiles for updates.
In Website Builder: #
- Click Add Element and choose Text Block, Countdown Timer, or Form.
- Customize the content and style of each element.
- Click Save.
In WordPress: #
- Use Blocks or your page builder plugin (e.g., Elementor, WPBakery) to add elements.
- Customize the text, images, and layout.
- Click Update to save the changes.
Tip: #
- Use high-quality visuals and keep the text concise to maintain interest.
Step 3: Enable “Coming Soon” Mode #
Activate the “Coming Soon” mode to display the page to visitors while you work on the rest of the website.
Using Website Builder: #
- Go to Website Settings > Site Visibility.
- Toggle on Coming Soon Mode.
- Select the Coming Soon page you created as the landing page.
- Click Save.
Using WordPress: #
- Install a “Coming Soon” or “Maintenance Mode” plugin (e.g., SeedProd, WP Maintenance Mode).
- Go to Settings > Coming Soon in the plugin options.
- Enable Coming Soon Mode.
- Choose the Coming Soon page you created.
- Click Save Changes.
Tip: #
- Use a plugin like SeedProd for additional customization options and advanced features.
Step 4: Exclude Logged-In Users (Optional) #
You may want to exclude logged-in users or administrators from seeing the “Coming Soon” page so you can continue editing the site.
In Website Builder: #
- Go to Website Settings > Coming Soon Settings.
- Enable Exclude Admins and Logged-In Users.
- Click Save.
In WordPress: #
- In the “Coming Soon” plugin settings, check the box for Show to Logged-Out Users Only.
- Click Save Changes.
Tip: #
- This allows you to view and edit the live site without affecting the visitor experience.
Step 5: Preview and Test the “Coming Soon” Page #
Before enabling “Coming Soon” mode site-wide, preview the page to ensure it looks good and functions properly.
How to Preview: #
- Click Preview in the Website Builder or WordPress editor.
- Check the “Coming Soon” page on both desktop and mobile views.
- Test all links, forms, and countdown timers to ensure they work correctly.
Tip: #
- Use an incognito window or clear your browser cache to view the page as a new visitor.
Step 6: Monitor Visitor Engagement #
Track visitor engagement and capture leads while your “Coming Soon” page is active.
How to Monitor: #
- Set up Google Analytics on the “Coming Soon” page to track visits and form submissions.
- Use a lead capture tool like Mailchimp or Constant Contact to collect and manage email signups.
- Monitor social media links for new followers.
Tip: #
- Use the data collected to gauge interest and plan a strong launch campaign.
Step 7: Disable “Coming Soon” Mode When Ready #
Once your website is ready to go live, disable the “Coming Soon” mode.
Using Website Builder: #
- Go to Website Settings > Site Visibility.
- Toggle off Coming Soon Mode.
- Click Save.
Using WordPress: #
- Go to the “Coming Soon” plugin settings.
- Disable Coming Soon Mode.
- Click Save Changes.
Tip: #
- Announce the launch on your social media channels and send an email to your subscribers.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- “Coming Soon” Page Not Displaying:
- Clear the website cache in hPanel and your browser cache.
- Make sure the “Coming Soon” mode is enabled and the correct page is selected.
- Countdown Timer Not Working:
- Double-check the launch date and time settings.
- Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser for the countdown timer to function properly.
- SEO Concerns:
- Use a noindex tag on the “Coming Soon” page to prevent it from being indexed by search engines.
- Submit the updated sitemap to Google Search Console after launching the live site.
Additional Tips: #
- Build Anticipation: Use social media teasers and email marketing to build excitement before launch.
- Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your “Coming Soon” page looks great on mobile devices, as many users will access it from their phones.
- Provide an ETA: If possible, include an estimated launch date to keep visitors informed.
