How to Put Your Shopify Store Under Construction: A Definitive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Need for an Under Construction Page
3. How to Put Your Shopify Store Under Construction
4. Practical Examples of Under Construction Pages
5. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that the average online consumer takes just about 50 milliseconds to form an opinion of your website? Now imagine setting up a new Shopify store—how can we make sure that our launch is successful right from the start? As e-commerce continues to gain momentum, the challenge of capturing attention becomes vital, especially in the initial pre-launch phase.

Are you currently setting up a Shopify store, perhaps envisioning the perfect layout or curating your product range? Or maybe you're preparing to integrate engaging courses or digital products to broaden your revenue streams? Whatever your situation might be, it’s crucial to manage your online space effectively, particularly when you want to create buzz before your grand opening.

At Tevello, we believe in empowering merchants like you to harness the power of online learning and community engagement. That's why, in this guide, we will show you how to put your Shopify store under construction, creating anticipation while also collecting valuable leads and optimizing your SEO.

Join us as we explore effective strategies for a "Coming Soon" page on Shopify. We'll delve into various methods, tips, and examples, demonstrating how to make the most of your pre-launch period and engage customers right from the outset.

Understanding the Need for an Under Construction Page

As merchants preparing to launch an online store, it’s essential to understand why utilizing an “Under Construction” page can be a game-changer. Here are a few key reasons:

Build Early Brand Awareness

When creating a physical storefront, merchants often post “Coming Soon” banners to build anticipation. We can replicate this strategy online by displaying a clear message to potential customers—this helps establish our brand before launch.

SEO Benefits

Having an optimized “Under Construction” page allows Google to index your website early. This way, when the store eventually launches, you have a fighting chance of ranking higher in search results, driving organic traffic far before your official store opens.

Generate Leads

Integrating an email capture form into your "Under Construction" page is critical. We can sync apps like Mailchimp or Klaviyo to collect emails from visitors eager for updates, promotions, or early access to our products.

Testing Market Readiness

An under-construction page is a fantastic space for testing. By analyzing pre-launch engagement metrics, we can gather insights on customer interests, helping us fine-tune our overall marketing strategy before our official launch.

Facilitating Customer Connection

An under-construction page allows us to share our story, mission, and the value we plan to offer, creating a more personal touch and stronger audience connection right from the start.

Understanding these benefits lays the groundwork for how to effectively manage your Shopify store amid its construction phase.

How to Put Your Shopify Store Under Construction

There are primarily two ways to utilize an under-construction page on your Shopify store: by enabling password protection or by using an app specifically designed for creating “Coming Soon” pages. Let's walk through both methods.

Method 1: Set Up Password Protection

Using Shopify’s built-in password protection feature is arguably the simplest way to restrict access to your store. Here's how we do it:

Step 1: Navigate to Preferences

Log into your Shopify admin and navigate to Sales channels > Online Store > Preferences.

Step 2: Enable Password Protection

Scroll down to the Restrict Store Access section. Check the box labeled Enable password. This feature will allow only those with the password to access your store.

Step 3: Set Your Password and Message

In this section:

• Enter a unique password that will be shared with select individuals.
• Optionally, you can add a custom message to inform visitors about your upcoming store launch. You might include something motivating like, “Thank you for your patience! We’re launching soon.”

Step 4: Save Your Settings

Make sure to scroll to the bottom and click save. Your password-protected under construction page is live!

It's that easy! Your potential customers will see a password page when they try to access your store, allowing you to control who gets to view your setup process.

Method 2: Using a Shopify App

If you're looking for more features and customization options, using a “Coming Soon” app can be highly beneficial.

Step 1: Install a Coming Soon App

Go to the Shopify App Store and search for "Coming Soon." We recommend exploring options such as:

• PageFly Landing Page Builder
• Under Construction Coming Soon

Once you find an app you like, click Install, and follow the instructions to set it up in your Shopify dashboard.

Step 2: Set a Store Password

After installation, navigate to Apps > Your Chosen App > Pages to create a new page. Use the password feature to lock this page again, ensuring visitors need a password to access your future store.

Step 3: Customize Your Page

With most apps, you can select pre-built templates. For example, on PageFly, you can choose a template that resonates with your brand identity.

Focus on the following elements for customization:

• Headline: Ensure it stands out and clearly states what’s coming.
• Email Capture Form: Include a field for visitors to enter their emails for updates.
• Countdown Timer: A visual countdown can build excitement by tracking time until launch.

Step 4: Publish Your Page and Set as Homepage

Once satisfied with your design, click Publish. In your Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store > Preferences to set this page as your homepage.

Method 3: Custom Under Construction Theme Template

For those with a bit of technical know-how, creating a custom under-construction theme template gives maximum control over the design.

Step 1: Duplicate Your Theme

Go to Online Store > Themes in your Shopify admin and click Actions > Duplicate on your active theme. This allows you to make changes without disrupting the live site.

Step 2: Create a Custom Template

Click Actions > Edit Code on your duplicated theme. Under Templates, click Add a new template, choose Page, and name it something identifiable like “under-construction.”

Step 3: Add Custom Code

In the new template, insert custom HTML, CSS, or repurpose existing elements like a countdown timer and lead capture form. Try to link this page to your overall branding, using consistent fonts and colors.

Step 4: Set the Page as Your Homepage

Create a new page under Online Store > Pages and select the newly created template. Set this as your temporary homepage, and your custom under-construction page is good to go!

Tips to Optimize Your Under Construction Page

To enhance the effectiveness of your under-construction page, consider the following best practices:

• Catchy Headline: Make your headline engaging and visually appealing. For example, "Exciting New Store Launching Soon!"
• Consistent Branding: Make sure your logo and color scheme align with your overall store branding to create a cohesive experience.
• Concise Messaging: Keep your text brief and to the point. A simple statement about what customers can expect is typically most effective.
• Single Clear CTA: Focus on one clear call to action—this could be “Sign Up for Updates” to limit distractions.
• Social Sharing Options: Give customers easy ways to share your page on social media. This can significantly aid in creating hype for your grand opening.

Practical Examples of Under Construction Pages

Understanding theoretical concepts surrounding under-construction pages is one thing, but seeing effective examples in action can provide further clarity.

Here's how a few brands have succeeded with their "Coming Soon" messages:

• Local Artisan Shop: Featuring a visually striking landing page filled with a vibrant graphic, this store included a sign-up form for customers interested in learning about exclusive opening offers. It successfully built anticipation among local shoppers before the store opened.
• Fitness Brand: Using a countdown timer embedded into their under-construction page, they created urgency while inviting customers to sign up for limited early bird offers on launch day.

These examples help illustrate how brand aesthetics, strategic messaging, and CTAs can play significant roles in the overall effectiveness of your pre-launch page.

Conclusion

Putting your Shopify store under construction isn’t merely about displaying a message that your site isn’t ready yet; it’s an opportunity for strategic engagement and pre-launch marketing. By following the methods outlined above, we can cultivate anticipation and gather a robust mailing list for the eventual launch.

Don’t let the pre-launch phase be a missed opportunity! Start planning your under-construction page today with Tevello, ensuring you create the excitement needed for a successful store debut.

Are you ready to get started? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and take the first step toward building anticipation for your Shopify store launch.

FAQ

Can I capture emails on my Under Construction page?

Yes! You can set up an email capture form by integrating tools like Mailchimp or Klaviyo to collect leads effectively.

Will Google index my store during this phase?

Yes, by having a well-structured under-construction page with title, description, and SEO-friendly headings, you can enable indexing before the official launch.

Can I preview my store without disabling the Under Construction page?

Absolutely! Use Shopify’s password feature to access the store in preview mode while keeping it locked for the public.

How can I build excitement for the launch?

Adding features such as countdown timers, early access deals, and social media integration can significantly enhance visitor engagement and excitement.

Will disabling Under Construction erase my settings?

No, all settings and collected data remain intact when you disable the Under Construction page.

As we embark on this journey to create vibrant online experiences, let's make the most of our pre-launch activities with careful planning and execution. Our Shopify stores can serve not only as retail spaces but also as hubs for community engagement and educational resources. Let’s get to work!