TL;DR
- Yes. A coming soon page holds your web address while we build your site behind the scenes.
- Already have a working website? It usually stays live until launch day.
- Old site no longer safe to run? Replace it sooner, sometimes with a simple one-page site.
- A coming soon page still has to be accessible. Color contrast rules apply to it too.
What Is a Coming Soon Page?
A simple page that tells visitors your website is on the way. Anyone who visits your web address lands there while the full site is built on a development site (a private copy).
On one recent project, Beth explained it this way: “We don’t have the site live yet… If you go to the main link, you’re forwarded to the coming soon page.” That client also had a short FAQ page up.
Should I Keep My Old Website Up or Show a Coming Soon Page?
- You have a working website: keep it up. We build the new one on a development site, so your live site isn’t affected. See How Do I Review and Approve My New Website Before Launch?
- You’re a new business: a coming soon page lets people know you exist.
- Your old site is a security risk: replace it sooner. Beth’s advice to one client: “I need to get the old site down sooner versus later because the themes won’t update. That causes a security hazard.”
If you need more than a placeholder right away, a one-page site can fill the gap. See Is a One-Page Website Enough for My Business?
What Should a Coming Soon Page Include?
Keep it simple: your business name, a line about what’s coming, and how to reach you. If people are already asking questions, a short FAQ page can sit alongside it.
Does a Coming Soon Page Need to Be Accessible?
Yes. It’s a public page, so the same accessibility rules apply. Color contrast (the difference between your text color and its background) matters here too. Beth flagged this on one coming soon page: “5 color contrast issues on the coming soon page put you out of ADA compliance.” See Should I Update My Logo and Brand Colors Before a Redesign?
What Webmaster For Hire Recommends
- Keep a working site live until your new one launches.
- Use a coming soon page if you don’t have a website yet.
- Have it reviewed like any other page. Small pages can still fail accessibility checks.
:: Common Questions ::
Can I Announce My New Website Before It Launches?
Wait until it’s live. Your development site is private and password protected. As Beth told one client, “It does no good to announce it on a dev site.”
Can Unfinished Pages Say “Coming Soon”?
Yes. A page whose content isn’t ready can say coming soon until it arrives. See Can We Launch My Website Now and Finish the Edits Later?
Need a Placeholder While We Build?
See our Website Design Services, or request a consultation.
