Guide
How to make a coming soon page and build a waitlist
6 steps · about 30 minutes, free
The best time to find your first customers is before you launch. A coming soon page tells people what’s on the way, counts down to the day and collects emails, so you open with a list of people who already want what you’re making. This guide shows you how to make one for free with the Owlvix coming soon page builder.
Before you start
- One sentence on what you’re launching and who it’s for.
- A launch date, or at least a month.
- Your logo or one strong image.
- An email address to receive sign-ups.
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1Write one clear promise
Say what’s coming and why it matters in one line: “Fresh sourdough delivered in Leeds — opening March.” People should know in three seconds whether it’s for them.
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2Pick a design and add your brand
Open the free builder, choose a coming soon, under construction or opening soon design, and add your logo, colours and one great image.
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3Set the countdown
Click the countdown and set your launch date and time in the Content tab, and the text shown when it ends. If your date might move, choose one you’re sure about.
Tip: a date a few weeks away creates excitement; months away and people forget.
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4Switch on the waitlist form
Switch on the sign-up form with your email (free). Every sign-up is emailed to you. Tell people what they get for joining — early access, a launch discount or a free sample.
Tip: an offer like “10% off on launch day for the waitlist” can get many more sign-ups than “Join our newsletter”.
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5Add social links and publish
Add your Instagram, TikTok or other social links, then publish free on sites.owlvix.com — or download the page as index.html and upload it to your own domain while your full site is built.
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6Share it and keep people warm
Share the link everywhere you can. Email your list once or twice before launch with a sneak peek, then on launch day with your offer. When you launch, untick “Simple page” in the Site tab to turn it into a full website.
Common mistakes to avoid
- A vague promise. “Something big is coming” gets ignored. Say what it is.
- No reason to sign up. Give people something for joining your list.
- Collecting emails and going quiet. Write to your list before launch so they remember you.
- A countdown that runs out. If the date moves, update it — a timer stuck at zero looks abandoned.
Need the full website or app ready for launch day? Talk to us about building it.
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- How to make a portfolio website that wins clients
- How to write a CV that gets interviews
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- How to make an email newsletter
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Good to know
Coming soon pages, explained
What is a coming soon page?
A one-page site you put up before you launch. It says what’s coming, often with a countdown, and collects emails from people who want to hear when it’s ready.
Is the coming soon page builder free?
Yes. Build it, publish it free on sites.owlvix.com or download it for your own domain. Sign-ups are free too.
Where do the sign-ups go?
Every sign-up is emailed to you as it comes in, wherever your page is hosted. You can copy them into Mailchimp, Brevo or any email tool.
Can I put it on my own domain?
Yes. Download the page as index.html and upload it to your hosting. The waitlist form still works there.
Does a coming soon page help with Google?
Yes, a little. It lets Google find your domain early, and people searching your brand name can find you before launch.
Can I turn it into a full website later?
Yes. Untick “Simple page” in the Site tab to show a header and menu, then add pages — it becomes a full website.
More free tools: see all free tools.