Creating a “Coming Soon” product page on WooCommerce is an excellent way to generate anticipation for new arrivals in your store. When done right, a Coming Soon product strategy can engage potential buyers, grow your email list, and set the stage for a successful product launch. Here’s a guide on using WooCommerce’s features and plugins to build effective Coming Soon product pages.
Why Use a Coming Soon Product Page?
1. Build Anticipation and Excitement
A Coming Soon page lets customers know something new is on the way, sparking interest and anticipation. By providing a sneak peek, you engage potential buyers before the product is available, making them more likely to follow updates.
2. Capture Leads for Pre-Launch Marketing
Adding a sign-up form for notifications allows you to collect leads from visitors interested in the new product. By capturing their emails, you can keep them informed and market directly to them once the product is live. This pre-launch interest can help secure a strong initial sales boost.
3. Gauge Demand and Collect Feedback
Seeing how many customers sign up for notifications can give you valuable insights into the potential demand for the product. You can even use feedback forms to learn what specific features or qualities your customers are most interested in, allowing you to tailor the product accordingly.
4. Strengthen Your Brand
Showcasing products as Coming Soon reinforces your brand’s growth and commitment to innovation. Whether it’s a seasonal collection or an exclusive line, promoting products as Coming Soon signals to customers that there’s always something fresh and exciting around the corner.
Setting Up a Coming Soon Product in WooCommerce
There are several ways to set up a Coming Soon product in WooCommerce. The simplest approach involves hiding the Add to Cart button and replacing it with a Coming Soon message. However, WooCommerce plugins offer additional flexibility and features for a more effective page.
Option 1: Customizing Product Visibility and Availability
WooCommerce allows you to control product visibility and manage stock status, which can be repurposed to create a Coming Soon page.
- Hide the Add to Cart Button
By hiding the Add to Cart button on a specific product, you prevent customers from purchasing it before it’s available. This setting can usually be adjusted in the product’s inventory settings by setting stock status to “Out of Stock” or simply disabling purchasing. - Add a Coming Soon Message
Replace the default “Out of Stock” message with a Coming Soon note to build excitement. You can add this message in the product description or by using a shortcode for a more visible display. - Set a Launch Date
Setting an expected release date provides a timeline for interested customers. Some plugins allow countdown timers that display time remaining until launch, adding a sense of urgency and excitement.
Option 2: Using Plugins for More Advanced Features
If you’re looking to add additional functionality to your Coming Soon product page, WooCommerce offers several plugins that can help:
- WooCommerce Coming Soon Product: This plugin allows you to create dedicated Coming Soon pages with options to show or hide the Add to Cart button, add a countdown timer, display email sign-up forms, and more. You can also schedule automatic publishing once the product is ready.
- YITH WooCommerce Waiting List: The YITH plugin helps you manage pre-orders and waiting lists, allowing customers to register for notifications when the product is back in stock or available. It also lets you analyze the demand before launch.
- Product Countdown for WooCommerce: Ideal for adding a countdown timer to the Coming Soon page, this plugin creates urgency and prompts potential buyers to return when the product is ready.
Best Practices for Your Coming Soon Page
- Use High-Quality Imagery
Visuals play a key role in creating excitement. High-quality images, mockups, or teaser videos give visitors an idea of what to expect. Consider offering multiple views or close-ups if possible, and choose images that represent the product’s features and benefits. - Add a Compelling Product Description
Even if the product isn’t available, a well-crafted description can captivate potential buyers. Highlight unique features, benefits, and anything that sets this product apart from others on the market. Remember to focus on solving customer needs, and use persuasive language to inspire interest. - Encourage Pre-Orders or Waitlist Sign-Ups
Plugins like WooCommerce’s Pre-Orders or Waiting List make it easy for customers to register interest. Offering early access or special pricing to those who sign up can be an excellent way to drive early engagement. You could also create a waitlist email campaign to keep customers updated with launch details and exclusive offers. - Use a Countdown Timer
A countdown timer builds urgency and gives customers a visual reminder of when the product will be available. Many Coming Soon plugins come with timer options, and they can be customized to match your store’s design. - Showcase Social Proof and Testimonials
If your product is part of a series or has received early reviews, showcasing testimonials can build credibility. It gives potential customers confidence that the product is worth the wait. If it’s a new product, consider adding social proof by showing how many people have already signed up for notifications. - Engage with Customers on Social Media
Promote the Coming Soon product on social media to build hype. Social media teasers, countdowns, and behind-the-scenes updates allow you to engage with followers and drive traffic to the product page. Encouraging followers to share the page can further expand reach.
Promoting Your Coming Soon Product
Once your Coming Soon page is live, you’ll want to attract as many visitors as possible. Here are some ways to promote the page effectively:
- Email Marketing: Announce the upcoming product to your email subscribers. Include a link to the Coming Soon page and encourage them to sign up for updates or early access.
- Social Media Teasers: Share teaser images, countdowns, and exclusive sneak peeks on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Tag relevant hashtags and encourage followers to share the posts for a chance to win early access.
- Influencer Partnerships: If relevant to your brand, consider partnering with influencers to expand reach. Influencers can create buzz among their followers and direct traffic to your Coming Soon page.
- Paid Advertising: Run ads targeting specific audiences that may be interested in your upcoming product. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads allow you to target people based on interests and shopping behaviors, maximizing the impact of your Coming Soon product.
Measuring Success
To gauge the success of your Coming Soon product page, track these metrics:
- Sign-Up Rate: This measures how many visitors subscribed for updates or registered interest. A high sign-up rate indicates strong customer interest in the product.
- Page Views and Engagement: Analyzing page views and the average time spent on the Coming Soon page shows how effective it is at capturing and retaining visitor interest.
- Social Shares: Social shares indicate how engaging your content is and how well it resonates with your target audience. High shares mean more organic reach and potential customers.
- Conversion Rate Post-Launch: When the product is live, track how many people who signed up for notifications make a purchase. This helps determine the effectiveness of your Coming Soon campaign in driving conversions.
Conclusion
A Coming Soon product page in WooCommerce isn’t just about listing a future item; it’s a valuable tool for building interest, capturing leads, and generating early excitement. By implementing the right plugins and optimizing your page’s design and content, you can turn this strategy into a powerful pre-launch marketing tool. When executed well, a Coming Soon campaign can set the stage for a successful product launch and help establish a loyal customer base that’s ready to support new arrivals.
