Coming soon and maintenance mode plugins hide your site from visitors while you build or update it. They look simple, but the wrong one can hurt your SEO or block your client from reviewing the site. Here is what to compare.
1. The right HTTP status
During maintenance, search engines should receive a 503 Service Unavailable status with a Retry-After header, which tells them to come back later without dropping your pages. A plugin that returns a normal 200 status with an empty page can lead to your content being replaced in search results. See coming soon pages and SEO.
2. Who can see the real site
Logged-in editors should keep seeing the real site. Even better: a secret link that lets a client preview the site without creating an account.
3. Email collection
A coming soon page is a chance to build a launch list. Look for a built-in form with spam protection and CSV export, and add a clear consent text.
4. Countdown
A launch countdown builds anticipation, and should switch the page off or reload automatically at the end.
5. Pages that stay open
Legal notice and privacy policy pages often need to remain accessible, especially if you collect emails.
6. Design without a page builder
A modern design with your logo, colours and a background image, configurable in a few minutes, with a preview button.
7. Lightweight and private
The page should be a single light HTML page with no tracking and no external services.
8. A visible reminder
An admin bar notice (“Coming soon mode ON”) prevents the classic mistake of forgetting to switch it off at launch. See our website launch checklist.
Test before you decide
- Activate maintenance mode and check the HTTP status with an online header checker: it should be 503.
- Open the site in a private window: you should see the coming soon page.
- Open the secret client link in another browser.
- Submit the email form and export the list.
- Switch the mode off and check the real site is back for everyone.
Our option
SoonPage covers all of this: 503 + Retry-After in maintenance mode, secret client link, email collection with CSV export, countdown, pages that stay open, glass design and an admin bar reminder. See the coming soon demo.
Frequently asked questions
Will a coming soon page hurt my SEO?
Not if it uses a 503 status during maintenance and is switched off at launch.
Can my client see the site while it is hidden?
Yes, with a secret preview link or a user account, depending on the plugin.
Should I collect emails before launch?
Yes, it gives you an audience to notify on launch day.