How to Create a Coming Soon Page in WordPress (With Examples)

Launching a new website is exciting, but you don’t have to wait until everything is perfect to start building buzz. A well-designed coming soon page in WordPress can capture emails, grow your audience, and turn anticipation into traffic the day you go live.

In this guide, we’ll walk through every method to create a coming soon or under construction page in WordPress, from quick plugin setups to fully custom manual approaches. You’ll also get design tips, conversion examples, and answers to the questions most users ask before launch day.

Why You Need a Coming Soon Page Before Launch

A blank domain or a half-finished site can hurt your credibility before you even start. A dedicated pre-launch page solves three problems at once:

• Builds anticipation with a clear brand message and launch date.
• Captures leads through an email signup form so you have an audience on day one.
• Protects your SEO and UX by showing a polished placeholder instead of broken layouts.

Studies consistently show that sites launching with a pre-built email list convert 3 to 5 times better than those that start from zero.

The 4 Best Ways to Create a Coming Soon Page in WordPress

You have several options, each suited for a different skill level and budget. Here’s a quick comparison:

Method 1: Using SeedProd (Recommended for Most Users)

SeedProd is the most popular landing page builder for WordPress and includes a dedicated coming soon mode.

Step-by-step setup

1. Install and activate SeedProd from Plugins > Add New.
2. Go to SeedProd > Landing Pages in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Click Set Up a Coming Soon Page next to the Coming Soon Mode toggle.
4. Choose a template (there are dozens of pre-built designs).
5. Use the drag-and-drop builder to add your logo, headline, countdown timer, and email form.
6. Connect your email service (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Brevo, etc.).
7. Click Save, then activate Coming Soon Mode.

Your page is now live for visitors while you (logged in as admin) continue working on the real site.

Method 2: Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode Plugin (Free)

If you need something simple and 100% free, the Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode plugin (sometimes listed as Under Construction) does the job in minutes.

1. Install the plugin from the WordPress repository.
2. Go to Settings > Under Construction.
3. Toggle the status to Activated.
4. Pick a design from the built-in template library.
5. Add a headline, description, social icons, and subscription form.
6. Save changes.

This option is perfect for small projects, client demos, or temporary maintenance windows.

Method 3: Built-in WordPress.com Coming Soon Page

If you host on WordPress.com, you don’t even need a plugin:

1. Visit your site’s Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Settings > Reading.
3. Enable the Coming Soon option.
4. Save changes.

This hides your site from public view and displays a basic placeholder. It’s quick, but limited in customization, so most serious launches still rely on a plugin or custom build.

Method 4: Create a Coming Soon Page Without a Plugin

Developers who prefer a clean, lightweight approach can create a coming soon page manually. Here’s the cleanest way using functions.php:

function expressjs_coming_soon() {
  if ( ! is_user_logged_in() && ! is_admin() ) {
    wp_die(
      '<h1>We\'re launching soon!</h1><p>Subscribe to be notified when we go live.</p>',
      'Coming Soon',
      array( 'response' => 200 )
    );
  }
}
add_action( 'template_redirect', 'expressjs_coming_soon' );

For something more advanced, create a custom coming-soon.html file with your branding, styles, and email form (Mailchimp embed or Formspree), then redirect non-logged-in users to it. This keeps load times fast and removes plugin dependencies.

Design Tips to Maximize Email Signups

A coming soon page is only useful if visitors actually subscribe. Apply these proven tactics:

1. Lead with a clear value proposition

Tell visitors exactly what your site or product will do for them in one sentence. Avoid vague phrases like “something awesome is coming.”

2. Use a single, prominent CTA

One email field, one button. Multiple options reduce conversions.

3. Add a countdown timer

Countdowns create urgency and visibly increase opt-in rates, especially when combined with an exact launch date.

4. Offer an incentive

Early access, a launch discount, or a free resource encourages people to share their email instead of bouncing.

5. Show social proof

If you have press mentions, partner logos, or a waitlist counter (“Join 2,400 others”), display them.

6. Keep it mobile-first

Over 65% of pre-launch traffic in 2026 comes from mobile. Test on multiple screen sizes before publishing.

7. Add social and contact links

Visitors who aren’t ready to subscribe might follow you on social media instead. Don’t lose that touchpoint.

Real Examples of Effective Coming Soon Pages

• SaaS launch: Headline + benefit + email field + “Get early access” button + countdown.
• eCommerce store: Hero image of the product + “Be first to shop” form + 10% launch discount offer.
• Personal brand or blog: Author photo + tagline + “Get my first post in your inbox” CTA.
• Agency rebrand: Minimalist logo + short message + contact email for ongoing client inquiries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving the coming soon page active after launch (it can hurt SEO badly).
• Not setting up email automation, so subscribers hear nothing for weeks.
• Using a default plugin template with no branding.
• Blocking search engines without a plan to unblock them on launch day.
• Forgetting to test the email signup form before going live.

FAQ

How do I put a coming soon page on WordPress?

The fastest way is to install a plugin like SeedProd or Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode, activate the coming soon toggle, and customize the template. If you’re on WordPress.com, enable it under Settings > Reading.

Is a coming soon page better than no site?

Yes. A polished placeholder builds credibility, captures emails, and gives search engines a reason to start indexing your domain. A blank or broken site does the opposite.

Can I create a coming soon page in WordPress without a plugin?

Absolutely. You can add a small snippet to your theme’s functions.php file that redirects non-admin visitors to a custom HTML page. This method is lightweight and developer-friendly.

Will a coming soon page hurt my SEO?

Only if you leave it up too long or block crawlers permanently. For short pre-launch windows, it’s safe and even helpful since it signals an active domain.

How do I disable the coming soon page after launch?

Go back to your plugin settings and toggle off coming soon mode, or remove the code snippet from functions.php if you used the manual method.

Final Thoughts

A great coming soon page in WordPress isn’t just a placeholder, it’s your first marketing asset. Whether you choose a plugin like SeedProd, the built-in WordPress.com option, Elementor, or a custom code snippet, focus on a clear message, a single CTA, and an email capture form. Do that, and you’ll launch with an audience already waiting to hear from you.