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How to Add Coming Soon Page in WordPress

This guide shows you how to add a coming soon page in WordPress quickly and easily. Whether you’re launching a new site or making updates, a coming soon page keeps visitors informed while you work behind the scenes.

Key Takeaways

  • Choose the right method: Use a plugin for simplicity or code for full control over your coming soon page.
  • Plugins save time: Tools like SeedProd or WP Maintenance Mode let you create professional pages in minutes.
  • Customize your message: Add your logo, countdown timer, and email signup to build excitement and capture leads.
  • Exclude admin access: Always allow logged-in users to view the live site while showing the coming soon page to visitors.
  • Test before going live: Preview your page and check how it looks on mobile devices.
  • Remove when ready: Don’t forget to disable the coming soon mode once your site is ready to launch.
  • SEO-friendly approach: Use proper meta tags and avoid blocking search engines unless necessary.

Introduction: Why You Need a Coming Soon Page in WordPress

If you’re building a new website or redesigning an existing one, a coming soon page is a smart move. It tells visitors your site is on the way—and keeps them engaged until launch. Instead of showing a broken or incomplete site, you can display a sleek, professional placeholder that builds anticipation.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to add a coming soon page in WordPress using two main methods: with a plugin (easiest) or with custom code (for advanced users). We’ll walk you through each step, share practical tips, and help you avoid common pitfalls. By the end, you’ll have a polished coming soon page that looks great and works perfectly.

Method 1: Add a Coming Soon Page Using a Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)

Using a plugin is the fastest and most user-friendly way to create a coming soon page. Most plugins come with drag-and-drop builders, pre-designed templates, and customization options—no coding required.

How to Add Coming Soon Page in WordPress

Visual guide about How to Add Coming Soon Page in WordPress

Image source: images01.nicepagecdn.com

Step 1: Choose a Reliable Coming Soon Plugin

There are many plugins available, but we recommend these top choices:

  • SeedProd: Offers beautiful templates, email integration, and a visual builder.
  • WP Maintenance Mode: Lightweight and easy to use, with countdown timers and social media links.
  • Coming Soon Page & Maintenance Mode by SeedProd: A free version of SeedProd with solid features.

For this tutorial, we’ll use SeedProd, one of the most popular and flexible options.

Step 2: Install and Activate the Plugin

To install SeedProd:

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Click Plugins > Add New.
  3. Search for “SeedProd”.
  4. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Once activated, you’ll see a new menu item called “SeedProd” in your dashboard.

Step 3: Create Your Coming Soon Page

Now let’s build your page:

  1. Go to SeedProd > Landing Pages.
  2. Click Add New.
  3. Choose a template from the “Coming Soon” category. SeedProd offers dozens of free and premium designs.
  4. Click Use This Template to open the drag-and-drop builder.

In the builder, you can:

  • Edit text (like your headline and message)
  • Upload your logo
  • Add a countdown timer
  • Include an email signup form (connects to Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)
  • Change colors, fonts, and background images

Tip: Keep your message clear and exciting. For example: “We’re crafting something amazing. Be the first to know when we launch!”

Step 4: Enable the Coming Soon Mode

After designing your page:

  1. Click the Save button in the top-right corner.
  2. Then click Launch.
  3. Toggle the switch to Enable Coming Soon Mode.

That’s it! Your coming soon page is now live. Visitors will see it instead of your regular site.

Step 5: Allow Admin Access (Important!)

By default, SeedProd lets logged-in users (like you) view the live site. This is crucial so you can continue working without seeing the coming soon page.

To double-check:

  1. Go to SeedProd > Settings.
  2. Under “Access Controls,” make sure “Allow Logged-In Users to View Site” is enabled.

You can also add specific user roles (like editors) if needed.

Method 2: Create a Coming Soon Page Without a Plugin (Advanced)

If you prefer not to use a plugin—or want full control over the code—you can create a coming soon page manually. This method is ideal for developers or those comfortable with WordPress themes.

Step 1: Create a Custom Page Template

You’ll need to add a new template file to your theme. Here’s how:

  1. Connect to your site via FTP or use the File Manager in your hosting control panel.
  2. Navigate to /wp-content/themes/your-theme/.
  3. Create a new file called coming-soon.php.

Paste this basic code into the file:

<?php
/*
Template Name: Coming Soon
*/
?>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>Coming Soon</title>
  <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow">
  <style>
    body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; padding: 100px 20px; background: #f4f4f4; }
    h1 { color: #333; }
    p { color: #666; }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>We're Almost Ready!</h1>
  <p>Our website is coming soon. Stay tuned!</p>
</body>
</html>

This creates a simple, clean coming soon page. You can customize the HTML and CSS to match your brand.

Step 2: Create a New Page in WordPress

  1. Go to Pages > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Title it “Coming Soon”.
  3. In the right sidebar, under “Template,” select “Coming Soon” from the dropdown.
  4. Click Publish.

Step 3: Set the Page as Your Homepage

  1. Go to Settings > Reading.
  2. Under “Your homepage displays,” select “A static page”.
  3. Choose “Coming Soon” from the dropdown.
  4. Click Save Changes.

Now, your coming soon page will appear when visitors go to your site.

Step 4: Exclude Admin Users (Optional but Recommended)

To let logged-in users see the real site, add this code to your theme’s functions.php file:

function show_coming_soon_to_guests() {
  if ( !is_user_logged_in() && is_front_page() ) {
    include( get_template_directory() . '/coming-soon.php' );
    exit;
  }
}
add_action( 'template_redirect', 'show_coming_soon_to_guests' );

This ensures only visitors see the coming soon page—admins and editors can still access the full site.

Tips for a Great Coming Soon Page

  • Use a countdown timer: Creates urgency and excitement.
  • Add an email signup: Collect leads so you can notify people when you launch.
  • Include social media links: Let visitors follow you for updates.
  • Optimize for mobile: Test your page on phones and tablets.
  • Set proper SEO tags: Use noindex to avoid search engines indexing your placeholder page.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: I can’t see my live site even when logged in.
Solution: Check your plugin or code settings to ensure logged-in users are excluded from the coming soon page.

How to Add Coming Soon Page in WordPress

Visual guide about How to Add Coming Soon Page in WordPress

Image source: azmind.com

Problem: The coming soon page looks broken on mobile.
Solution: Use responsive design in your CSS or choose a mobile-friendly plugin template.

Problem: I can’t find the coming soon page after disabling the plugin.
Solution: Go to Settings > Reading and reset your homepage to the default or a new page.

Conclusion: Launch with Confidence

Adding a coming soon page in WordPress is a simple but powerful way to manage your site’s launch. Whether you use a plugin like SeedProd or go the custom code route, you now have the tools to create a professional, engaging placeholder page.

Remember to test your page, allow admin access, and remove the coming soon mode once your site is ready. With these steps, you’ll make a great first impression—and keep visitors coming back for more.

For more WordPress tips, check out our guide on how to apply a WordPress theme or learn how to create a coming soon page in WordPress with advanced features. If you’re using Elementor, don’t miss our tutorial on creating a WordPress theme with Elementor.