"Under construction page." Here's an expression that sounds a bit outdated these days, more reminiscent of the early days of the web. Today, it doesn't take 6 months to launch a showcase site (at least theoretically), so this approach is less commonly used. However, when creating a new website, a company has every reason to create such a page. The fact is, we need to change our perspective on this type of page and view it as a first contact, a quick introduction page, a limited-time one-page. Here's how to create the perfect under construction page.
Don't say the site is "under construction"
First instinct, don't say the site is "under construction" or anything like that. Present the page as a finished, thoughtful, and valuable creation; not as a placeholder for the near future.
You only get one first impression
If this page is the first contact with users, a sort of invitation that will be further developed on the site, make it count. If your page is of poor quality, users will assume your future site won't be great either. Even if your website turns out to be a gem, your visitors will still think: "Oh yes, it looks nice now; but before, it was so ugly!" This under construction page needs to be well-thought-out and carefully crafted, both graphically and in terms of content. Just because this page is temporary doesn't mean it should be sloppy.
Present your services
In 3 or 4 sections, use this simple page to describe the services or products you offer. Even if it's challenging to explain what you do in just a few words, stick to it and you can elaborate with your client in person. In your future site, you'll have the opportunity to say more. For now, be concise.
Provide Your Contact Information
Of course, include your address and phone number. It seems obvious, but it's not uncommon to see under-construction pages that skip these essential details.
Offer a Way to Contact You
And for that, nothing beats a contact form. Avoid displaying your email address "in plain text" to prevent it from being spammed shortly after. The advantage of a contact form linked to a database is that it allows you to store messages and emails from your visitors (if you ask them, of course). Thus, when the "real" site launches, you can send them a mailing to inform them.
Link to Social Media
This temporary web page is not designed to detail your latest news. However, use Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ to share your updates. A link to these platforms will allow your visitors to know what's new with you. You can go further by directly incorporating a Like Box or your latest tweets into your page.
Do Not Include a Countdown Timer
Honestly, what's the point of a countdown timer? It puts pressure on you and your web developer, but your visitor isn't going to set an alarm to be present when the new site goes live on the launch day. Moreover, it doesn't provide crucial information; instead, save the space for the information mentioned above.
In Conclusion…
In short, to create the perfect "under construction" page, you should not think of it as just an under construction page. Consider it as a mini-site, a page that says everything in one single page. However, saying everything doesn't mean saying too much. Stick to the essentials and save some content for the launch of the final site.