Creating a coming soon page in WordPress helps build anticipation before your site launches. This guide walks you through simple, effective methods—with and without plugins—so you can go live fast and look professional.
Key Takeaways
- Use a plugin for speed: Tools like SeedProd or WP Maintenance Mode let you create stylish coming soon pages in minutes—no coding needed.
- Customize without plugins: You can build a coming soon page using your theme’s built-in options or by adding a simple HTML file to your root directory.
- Allow admin access: Always ensure logged-in users (like you) can still see the full site while visitors see the coming soon message.
- Add email capture: Include an email signup form to start building your audience before launch.
- Test before going live: Preview your page on different devices and check that it works correctly for both guests and admins.
- Remove it when ready: Don’t forget to disable the coming soon mode once your site is fully launched to avoid confusion.
- SEO-friendly approach: Use proper meta tags and avoid blocking search engines unless necessary.
Why You Need a Coming Soon Page in WordPress
Launching a new website? A coming soon page tells visitors your site isn’t ready yet—but it’s on the way. It’s clean, professional, and gives you time to finish content, test features, or run final checks. Plus, it builds excitement! Whether you’re launching a blog, store, or portfolio, a coming soon page keeps your brand looking polished even before launch.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make a coming soon page in WordPress using two main methods: with a plugin (fast and easy) or without one (great for minimalists or developers). We’ll also cover best practices like allowing admin access and adding email signups.
Method 1: Create a Coming Soon Page Using a Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)
Plugins are the easiest way to set up a coming soon page. They handle everything—design, visibility rules, and email integration—with just a few clicks.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable Coming Soon Plugin
Popular free options include:
- SeedProd: User-friendly drag-and-drop builder with templates.
- WP Maintenance Mode: Lightweight with countdown timers and social icons.
- Coming Soon Page & Maintenance Mode by SeedProd: Specifically designed for pre-launch pages.
For this tutorial, we’ll use SeedProd, as it’s intuitive and widely trusted.
Step 2: Install and Activate the Plugin
Go to your WordPress dashboard → Plugins → Add New. Search for “SeedProd”, click Install Now, then Activate.
Step 3: Configure the Coming Soon Page
After activation, you’ll see a new menu item: SeedProd. Click it, then select Landing Pages. Choose Coming Soon from the template library.
SeedProd will open its visual editor. Here, you can:
- Edit the headline (e.g., “We’re Almost Ready!”)
- Add a subheading (“Launching soon—stay tuned!”)
- Insert your logo
- Add an email opt-in form (connects to Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)
- Set a background image or color
- Include social media links
Tip: Keep the design simple and aligned with your brand colors. Avoid clutter—this page should feel intentional, not unfinished.
Step 4: Enable Coming Soon Mode
Once you’re happy with the design, click Save, then toggle the switch to Enable Coming Soon Mode. This activates the page for all visitors except logged-in administrators.
✅ Important: Always test this! Log out of WordPress and visit your site in a private browser window to confirm only the coming soon page appears.
Step 5: Allow Admin Access (So You Can Still Work)
By default, SeedProd lets logged-in users see the full site. But double-check this setting under Advanced Settings → Who Can View the Site? → Select Logged In Users.
This ensures you (and your team) can continue building the site while the public sees the coming soon message.
Method 2: Create a Coming Soon Page Without a Plugin
If you prefer not to install extra plugins—or your hosting plan limits plugin usage—you can create a coming soon page manually. This method is lightweight and gives you full control.
Option A: Use Your Theme’s Built-In Coming Soon Feature
Some premium themes (like Astra, Divi, or OceanWP) include a native coming soon or maintenance mode option.
To check:
- Go to Appearance → Customize
- Look for sections labeled “Coming Soon,” “Maintenance Mode,” or “Under Construction”
- Enable it and customize the message
If your theme supports it, this is the cleanest no-plugin solution. For help applying or updating your theme, see our guide on how to apply a WordPress theme.
Option B: Upload a Custom HTML File
For full control, create a simple HTML file and upload it to your site’s root folder.
Step 1: Create the HTML File
Open a text editor (like Notepad or VS Code) and paste this basic template:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Coming Soon</title>
<style>
body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; padding: 100px; background: #f4f4f4; }
h1 { color: #333; }
p { color: #666; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>We're Launching Soon!</h1>
<p>Thanks for stopping by. We're putting the final touches on our website.</p>
</body>
</html>
Save it as index.html.
Step 2: Upload via FTP or File Manager
Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting control panel’s File Manager to upload index.html to your website’s root directory (usually public_html or www).
⚠️ Warning: This method blocks access to your entire WordPress site—including the admin area—unless you add exceptions. Only use this if you’re comfortable with server settings.
Step 3: Allow Admin Access (Advanced)
To let yourself access wp-admin, edit your .htaccess file (in the same root folder) and add rules to exclude your IP address. However, this requires technical knowledge. For most users, the plugin method is safer and more flexible.
For a detailed walkthrough, check out our article on how to create a coming soon page in WordPress without a plugin.
Best Practices for Your Coming Soon Page
A great coming soon page does more than just say “we’re not ready.” It engages visitors and sets the tone for your brand.
- Include a clear call-to-action: Add an email signup form to collect leads. Tools like Mailchimp offer free plans for small lists.
- Add social proof: Mention press features, early testimonials, or follower counts if applicable.
- Set expectations: Use phrases like “Launching March 2025” or “Join 1,000+ early subscribers” to build urgency.
- Optimize for mobile: Test your page on phones and tablets—most traffic comes from mobile devices.
- Don’t block search engines unnecessarily: Unless you’re in stealth mode, allow Google to crawl your coming soon page so it appears in search results.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: I can’t access my WordPress dashboard after enabling coming soon mode.
Solution: If using a plugin, append /wp-login.php to your site URL (e.g., yoursite.com/wp-login.php) to log in. Once logged in, disable the coming soon mode from the plugin settings.
Problem: Visitors still see the full site instead of the coming soon page.
Solution: Clear your cache (both WordPress cache and browser cache). Also, ensure the coming soon mode is actually enabled in your plugin or theme settings.
Problem: My custom HTML page looks broken.
Solution: Double-check file permissions and ensure the file is named exactly index.html and placed in the correct root folder. Avoid special characters in filenames.
When to Remove Your Coming Soon Page
Once your site is fully built, tested, and ready for traffic, disable the coming soon mode. Leaving it active can hurt SEO and confuse visitors who expect a functional website.
In SeedProd, simply toggle off “Enable Coming Soon Mode.” If you used a custom HTML file, delete or rename it so WordPress can serve your actual homepage.
Final Thoughts
Creating a coming soon page in WordPress doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you use a plugin for speed or go plugin-free for simplicity, the key is to communicate clearly, look professional, and keep your audience engaged. With the steps above, you’ll have a polished pre-launch page up in under 10 minutes.
Ready to take your WordPress skills further? Learn how to create a high-converting landing page in WordPress or explore building custom themes with Elementor for even more design freedom.