What's a Nice "Under Construction" Web Page?

17 replies
I've seen a few before that were pretty cool. They kind of welcomed you to the site, and said a "hey, you found us" kind of thing...

I'm not the best at making something like this on my own, and it would be great if there was something already out there, or a theme for wordpress.

Does anyone have any ideas?
#nice #page #under construction #web
  • Profile picture of the author kchui1028
    The answer is 0. You shouldn't post or market anything if it's still under construction. Period.
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    • Profile picture of the author skyward
      One thing I should mention is that I'll be visiting local businesses and offering my services before my site is complete.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Grable
    Originally Posted by skyward View Post

    Does anyone have any ideas?
    I think you ought to finish the site first... Or... just never mention it (your domain name) to them.....
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  • Profile picture of the author Rahika
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    It must be a very bad business plan that includes an "under construction" website...
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    • Profile picture of the author amabaie
      I tend to agree that an undercoinstruction message is tacky. If you must give out a web address, I would post a photo, followed by a short letter of introduction, speaking quite excitedly about your plans for this web space, followed by a phone number, email and a signature.
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      • Profile picture of the author skyward
        Hi,

        Thanks folks.

        I'll just be giving them my business name for now, and if they do go to my page they'll come to something that welcomes them, and says the site will be active soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bicycle Cat
    As you say you're building up a website for your website, it may be best to just post up your contact details and what your business is all about.

    If your business is not up and ready yet, don't bother. Wait till you're ready until you launch the full site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mik Dunne
    You could try putting an optin box on there, so that when the site is ready you can direct people back to there, so you aint wasting the traffic and you know the people are interested. Just an idea.

    Cheers

    Mik
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  • Profile picture of the author Online Bliss
    You could try putting an optin box on there, so that when the site is ready you can direct people back to there, so you aint wasting the traffic and you know the people are interested. Just an idea.
    Mike,
    Best advice I have seen so far. Utilize the space until you are
    ready to launch! However you may want to add an incentive
    for signing up.:rolleyes:
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    with the Guy in the Shades!
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    • Profile picture of the author coach
      Sounds like you're planning to offer local consulting or services of some type.

      Here's what I suggest you do:

      (1) click over to the Special Offers Forum;

      (2) find one of those offline special offers with a template report and purchase it;

      (3) customize the report with your details (15 mins);

      (4) create a simple one page site offering the report with an optin box (25-30 mins);

      RESOURCE: Email Marketing Software, Email Newsletters and Autoresponders by AWeber

      >>I'll just be giving them my business name for now, and if they do go to my page they'll come to something that welcomes them, and says the site will be active soon.<<

      If you're selling a local service, they WILL type your business name into Google.

      Don't be a shoemaker with no shoes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rich Struck
    People who criticize "under construction" sites do not understand their proper use. Here is what you do... Instead of saying "under construction" build a one page (or small 4 or 5 page) site describing what you are up to. Be sure to load it with keywords and your site's domain name. Now you upload it and "let it soak" so Google can find it.

    Fast forward a few weeks...

    Your site is done and you are ready to start promoting it. By now Google should be aware that your site exists so that when people start looking for it, they'll be able to find it. But why is this important? Because people are dumb, that's why.

    See, when you tell someone your domain name, probably 80% of them won't type it into the address bar, they'll type it into Google or Yahoo instead. If your site is brand new, it won't show up. However, if you've had your little one page site up ahead of time, they WILL find it. If you don't believe me, give your grandma a domain to check out and see what she does.

    This plan works, try it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary King
    PLEASE don't post some crappy under construction page or (no offense) a re-hased cartoon dude digging in the dirt with yellow and black bars on him.

    Rich has it down - put it out there with a decent looking logo and a brief paragraph or so with your keywords - don't overstuff it - you want the reader to follow too, but get the search engines chomping at it.

    Mik has a good idea as well with the opt-in box if it's appropriate.

    If you're selling offline stuff, you had best have a report for the opt-in that's solid.

    The LAST thing you want to do is start kicking in doors, telling the world how professional you are and have a "as soon as you pay me some money, I'll get my web site built so it looks better than this" message for them to see when they visit your site to verify you are legit. You aren't at that point.

    I understand you're probably trying to get rolling asap - spend a couple hours or get a designer from the forum to make something stupidly simple but nice with a couple paragraphs that reinforce your conversation when you visit the local businesses as you mention.

    If you're meeting people face to face as you suggest, sending them to an under construction page shows that either:

    1 - you're not legit
    2 - you're just getting started, so whatever you are offering you have no experience with
    3 - both of the above

    Not trying to be harsh man, but seriously - step outside yourself for a minute and put yourself in the shop owner's shoes - if someone came to you and interrupted your business day to sell you something but their message wasn't complete, would you buy from them?

    When we land on a biz idea, we automatically want to think the world will want it and we won't be able to count all the cash - everyone will buy it after all. Don't lose that excitement, but rather, take it off like a coat and hang it up for a few seconds to evaluate from the business owner's perspective.

    Best of luck! Remember, there's a lot of "No's" on the way to "Yes". Don't let it get you down.
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    • Profile picture of the author skyward
      Thanks folks for all your help. This has made a huge difference. Much of what everyone has said describes my situation perfectly.

      I'll be making some very important changes these next few days.

      Thank you again.
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      • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
        I don't want to be snide: but if you are going to market
        consulting/services and tell business owners about your
        grand web skills, you better have a functional website -
        not having it makes you look like the rankest of amateurs.

        I'm not clear what you're selling, but the least I would
        do is put up a simple page about my business and give
        away a PDF white-paper type thing about the problem
        I solve.

        A website doesn't take long to put up. The writing can
        take a bit of time and the thinking behind the writing
        can as well, but it seems like maybe somebody is putting
        his cart before his horse.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary King
    Jeff,

    Your PM box is full or something - tried to reply and says you are blocking me or can't receive them.
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