How to Put Squarespace Site Under Construction: A Quick Setup Guide
By Akim Perminov
Founder & Lead Designer
When it comes to creating or updating a website, there may be instances where you’d like to inform visitors that changes are being made without completely shutting down your online presence. This can be effectively communicated by setting your Squarespace site to an "Under Construction" mode. An "Under Construction" page serves as a placeholder that tells visitors your website is in the process of being updated or built, which maintains professionalism and transparency with your audience.
Many website owners worry that temporary unavailability may affect their site's online reputation or search engine ranking. However, a properly set-up "Under Construction" page can mitigate these concerns by providing a clear message to visitors and search engines alike that your site will return with improvements. Whether you’re working on a brand-new site or revamping an existing one, learning how to switch your Squarespace site to "Under Construction" mode is a simple yet integral part of the website management process.
Key Takeaways
An "Under Construction" page informs visitors of ongoing site updates.
Proper setup ensures the site's reputation remains intact during changes.
Squarespace provides tools to easily switch a site to "Under Construction" mode.
Understanding the Need for a 'Construction Mode'
When I'm developing or updating my website, it's crucial to manage visitors' first impressions. A 'Construction Mode', often known as 'Maintenance Mode' or 'Under Construction', serves an essential purpose: it informs visitors that the website is undergoing changes. This mode can prevent confusion and maintain a professional appearance while I work behind the scenes.
Key Reasons to Use 'Construction Mode':
Privacy: It restricts the visibility of my in-progress work to a select audience who have access, like stakeholders or team members.
Professionalism: It helps in preserving my brand's image. A half-finished site could misrepresent my brand and confuse visitors.
Feedback: It allows me to collect feedback or let visitors sign up for notifications, aiding in building anticipation for the new launch.
In 'Construction Mode', I typically exhibit a clear message, which can range from a simple announcement to more creative content, like a countdown timer or a sign-up form for updates. It’s not only about withholding information, but also about strategically engaging with visitors. 'Construction Mode' is an indicator of growth and improvement rather than a static barrier, which is why it's an integral part of the website development process.
Preparing for Site Construction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzDeLKq28YE&embed=true
When putting a Squarespace site under construction, I ensure to secure existing content, keep users informed, and meticulously design the temporary construction page.
Backing Up Your Current Site
Before I make any changes, I back up my current site. Squarespace doesn't offer a traditional backup feature, but I take several steps to safeguard my content:
Content: I manually export my pages, blog posts, and media to a secure location.
Data: For form submissions and eCommerce data, I ensure to save records by exporting them to a CSV file.
Notifying Your Users
Communicating with my site visitors about changes is crucial. To keep my audience in the loop, I:
Set up an email alert to notify subscribers about the upcoming maintenance.
Post an announcement on social media platforms regarding the site's temporary status.
Planning Your Under Construction Page
The Under Construction page serves as a placeholder while my site is being updated. I follow these best practices:
Purpose: I define the purpose of the page—whether it's to inform, collect emails, or announce a launch date.
Design: Utilizing Squarespace's Cover Page feature, I create a design that matches my brand and conveys the necessary information.
Setting Squarespace Site to 'Under Construction'
When I need to prevent public access to my Squarespace website while updating or constructing it, I activate an 'Under Construction' page. This serves as a placeholder to inform visitors that work is being done.
Enabling the 'Under Construction' Page
To set up an 'Under Construction' page on my Squarespace site, I follow a straightforward process:
Log into Squarespace: I start by logging into my Squarespace account.
Navigate to Pages: I access the Pages section from the Home Menu.
Add a New Page: I click the + button next to Main Navigation to add a new page.
Select Page Type: From the options, I select a Blank Page and name it 'Under Construction'.
Configure Settings: I make sure to set this new page as my homepage to ensure that it's the first thing visitors see.
For detailed instructions on this process, I can refer to the guide on how to add a site-wide Under Construction page.
Customizing the 'Under Construction' Message
Customizing the message on the 'Under Construction' page gives it a personal touch and provides necessary information to my visitors:
Access Page Settings: By clicking the gear icon on the 'Under Construction' page, I open its settings.
Change the Content: In the Page Settings, I add a friendly message or update the content to let visitors know when to return for the full site experience.
Consider Additional Elements: Depending on my needs, I may also include links to my social media profiles, a newsletter sign-up, or a contact form.
If I want a variety of customization options, I can utilize the Maintenance Mode feature that allows further alterations on the message displayed during construction. Instructions for enabling Maintenance Mode are available on putting my Squarespace website under construction.
Alternative Methods for Site Unavailability
In my extensive experience with website management, I've found a few effective approaches to indicate that a Squarespace site is undergoing updates or construction.
Using Cover Pages
Cover Pages are an excellent solution when I need to quickly inform visitors that my Squarespace site is not currently available. I can design a bold and informative Cover Page that clearly states the site is under construction. This strikes a balance between keeping my site’s presence online and managing visitor expectations.
Setting Up a Password-Protected Page
Another method that I utilize is creating a Password-Protected Page. By setting up password protection, I can restrict access to the whole site or specific pages. This way, I maintain control over who can view my website while it's being updated or reconstructed. The process is straightforward: I go to my site's Settings, then Security & Passwords to enable this feature.
Testing Your 'Under Construction' Setup
After I have implemented an 'Under Construction' page on my Squarespace site, it's crucial to test its functionality. Ensuring that visitors encounter the 'Under Construction' page and not the unfinished parts of my website provides a professional impression while I'm working on updates.
Step 1: Incognito Mode
First, I open my browser in incognito or private mode. This allows me to see my Squarespace site as a first-time visitor without the cache or cookies influencing the experience.
Step 2: Check Visibility
Next, I navigate to my website’s URL. I should see the 'Under Construction' page immediately. It’s vital to check that no parts of the actual site are visible unless access is granted through a password or a direct link.
Step 3: Functionality on Different Devices
I test the 'Under Construction' page across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops, to ensure that the page is responsive and maintains its layout and functionality.
Testing Table:
DeviceOutcomeNotesDesktopSuccessPage displays correctlyMobileSuccessAdjust size for better viewingTabletSuccess-
Step 4: Links and Social MediaThen, I confirm that any visible links, such as social media icons or contact information, are working correctly. This step ensures that visitors can still connect with me while my site is being finalized.
Step 5: FeedbackLastly, I ask friends or colleagues to test the 'Under Construction' page and provide feedback. Fresh eyes might catch issues I may have overlooked.
By meticulously testing the 'Under Construction' setup, I can confidently continue refining my website behind the scenes, knowing that visitors are given clear communication about my site's status.
Communicating Timelines to Site Visitors
When I'm updating my Squarespace site and need to put it under construction, I make sure to clearly communicate timelines to my visitors. Here's how I do it:
Create a Clear Message: On my Under Construction page, I use plain language to set expectations. I typically include a simple statement like "We'll be back up soon!”
Provide an Estimated Timeline: Next to the message, I add a table with estimated dates, like this:
Site Update BeginsEstimated CompletionNovember 20, 2023December 5, 2023
Offer Regular Updates: Maintaining an updated status log enables my visitors to track progress. I use bullet points to summarize updates, such as:
November 22, 2023: Design phase is complete.
November 30, 2023: Content update is halfway there.
Include Contact Information: If my visitors need to get in touch while the site is under construction, I ensure my email address is visible and styled in bold for importance. For example:
Contact me: myemail@example.com
Informing site visitors about the timeline is crucial to managing expectations and maintaining a professional image during the construction phase. I find that transparency builds trust, even when my online presence is temporarily on hold.
Resuming Normal Site Operations
When the time arrives to turn off the "Under Construction" notification and welcome visitors to your fully-functional Squarespace site, I'll walk you through the steps. The process is straightforward, ensuring a swift transition from restricted access to a live site.
Disabling the 'Under Construction' Page
To remove the "Under Construction" page on Squarespace, I navigate to my Site Settings and select the Pages section. Here, I locate the 'Under Construction' page and use the settings to either delete it or hide it from the navigation. It's important to confirm that my main navigation is structured correctly and that the placeholder page is no longer public.
Restoring Full Site Access
Next, I double-check that any site-wide password protection or Maintenance Mode is turned off. In my Site Settings, under Security, I ensure that the toggle for Site Availability is set to Public. This action fully restores visitor access, and my Squarespace site is now live for everyone to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
As an experienced user of Squarespace, I can provide clear and straightforward answers to common questions about setting up a Squarespace site under construction.
How can I create a 'Coming Soon' landing page in Squarespace?
I can design a simple 'Coming Soon' page by selecting 'Cover Page' from the menu or by using a pre-designed page and customizing it for my site's branding needs. This page can act as a placeholder while my main site is being built.
Is it possible to have a landing page without navigation in Squarespace?
Yes, it is possible to create a landing page that doesn't display the main navigation. I can use a Lock Screen, or customize a Cover Page by removing header and footer elements to present a clean, distraction-free landing page.
What are the steps to add a lock screen to my Squarespace site?
I would go to my Squarespace site's settings, choose 'Design', and then select 'Lock Screen'. Here, I can customize the lock screen design, set up a password, and even adjust the messaging to let visitors know that my site is under construction.
Can I feature a video on my Squarespace landing page?
Certainly, Squarespace supports video backgrounds on Cover Pages, which allows me to add an engaging video to my landing page, enhancing the visitor experience even when the site is under construction.
What is the process for building a custom landing page on Squarespace?
Building a custom landing page involves adding a new page, selecting a blank layout or a template, and then customizing it with my content, images, or videos. Squarespace's drag-and-drop editor simplifies this customization process.
Where can I find pricing information for Squarespace landing pages?
Pricing details for using Squarespace landing page features are listed on the Squarespace pricing page, where I can review different plans and determine which features are included at each level.
