Launching a new website is exciting! But what do you show visitors before it's ready? A well-designed coming soon page on Squarespace is the perfect solution. It builds anticipation, gathers leads, and even boosts your SEO. This guide will walk you through creating one, step-by-step.
Why a Coming Soon Page on Squarespace is Essential
A coming soon page acts as a placeholder while you finalize your website. But it’s more than just a simple "under construction" message—it’s a marketing opportunity. A good coming soon page can:
- Generate excitement for your launch.
- Collect email addresses for future marketing.
- Provide essential business information to early visitors.
- Improve search engine rankings before your full website is live.
Choosing the Best Method: Cover Pages vs. Regular Pages
Squarespace offers two primary methods for creating a coming soon page: Cover Pages and Regular Pages. Both work well, but they serve different needs.
Cover Pages
Cover Pages are designed for simple, single-page layouts. They are great for announcements and often include built-in elements like:
- Email signup forms
- Social media links
- Minimalistic layouts
Regular Pages
Regular Pages offer more flexibility. You can customize them extensively by adding images, videos, and sections.
How to Create a Coming Soon Page on Squarespace
Let’s go step by step to create a coming soon page using a Regular Page for maximum customization.
Create a New Page
- In your Squarespace admin panel, navigate to Pages.
- Click + Add Page and choose Blank Page.
- Name it something like “Coming Soon” or “Under Construction.”
Design Your Page
Now, let’s add content to make your page effective.
- Headline: Keep it clear, e.g., “Website Coming Soon!”
- Brief Description: Explain what visitors can expect.
- Call to Action: Encourage visitors to sign up for updates.
- Visuals: Add high-quality images or a background video.
Customize Your Page
Squarespace’s drag-and-drop interface allows easy customization. Experiment with different fonts, colors, and layouts to match your brand.
How to Put a Squarespace Website Under Construction
Once your coming soon page is ready, you need to make it visible to visitors while keeping the rest of your website hidden.
Set Your Coming Soon Page as the Homepage
- Go to Settings > Site Availability.
- Select Password Protected to restrict access.
- Set your coming soon page as the homepage.
Disable Other Pages
You can either hide other pages or set them to “No Index” to prevent search engines from indexing them before your full launch.
Optimizing Your Squarespace Coming Soon Page for SEO
Even though your page is temporary, optimizing it for search engines is crucial. Here’s how:
- Use Relevant Keywords: Add keywords related to your business in the page title and description.
- Add Meta Descriptions: Write a compelling meta description that accurately describes your page.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure the page looks good on all devices.
How to Announce Your New Website with a Coming Soon Page
Promote your coming soon page to start generating interest.
Ways to Promote Your Page
- Social Media: Share your page link with followers.
- Email Signatures: Add a link in your email signature.
- QR Codes: Use QR codes in marketing materials.
Best practices for a pre-launch website page
Collect email addresses
Use a signup form to gather email addresses so you can notify visitors when your website goes live.
Offer a sneak peek
Show a teaser image, product preview, or behind-the-scenes video to spark curiosity.
Set a launch date
If possible, include a countdown to your launch date.
Maintain branding consistency
Ensure your coming soon page aligns with your brand’s colors, fonts, and logos.
Troubleshooting: common issues
My coming soon page isn’t showing up
Ensure you’ve set it as the homepage in Squarespace settings.
I’m having trouble customizing my page
Check Squarespace’s support documentation or contact their support team for assistance.
Useful Links
Creating a Landing Page – Learn how to set up a landing page in Squarespace, which can serve as a coming soon page to engage visitors before your full website launch.
Page Passwords – This guide explains how to password-protect specific pages on your Squarespace website, allowing you to control visitor access during development.
Cover Pages in Version 7.0 – Discover how to use cover pages in Squarespace 7.0 to create simple, standalone pages ideal for announcements like "coming soon."
Publishing or Hiding Your Site – This guide explains how to make your Squarespace website public or private, detailing the steps to publish your site when you're ready.
Events Pages – Learn how to create and manage events pages to inform visitors about upcoming events, which can be useful for pre-launch announcements.
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Conclusion
By following these steps, you can create a coming soon page that not only looks great but also helps you build anticipation and generate leads. A well-executed pre-launch page in Squarespace sets the stage for a successful website launch!