Articles

Getting ready to launch a new website? 'Coming soon' pages are a highly effective way to initiate online branding and presence. Surprisingly, most businesses overlook this marketing opportunity.

Whether you're working on design, writing content, or snapping the last few photos, a coming soon page:

• Tells current and potential clients you're producing a new website, which generates anticipation
• Provides visitors contact information, so they can inquire about your offerings or partnership opportunities
• Gives your website a head start on the SEO front, so you can attain desired rankings quicker

Optimize Your Coming Soon Page

By including your name, brief description about your company, products or services, you're helping search engines understand what your website is about. To further optimize your website, be sure to include descriptive terms in your title, keyword and description tags.

Plus, getting online sooner means you're building a history with search engines, which will make it easier to attain desired rankings once your website is fully launched. In fact, it's common to see coming soon pages with Google PageRanks of 1, 2, or even 3 out of 10, which demonstrates a level of trust. Since Google owns more than 70% of the search engine market, it's a relationship your business needs to nurture.

Other Coming Soon Elements

When launching a coming soon page, be sure to fully leverage it. Here are some other elements you can add to help your visitors, your business, and your bottom line:

• Your logo
• Relevant photos or images
• Contact information, including phone and email
• Information on what the website will be marketing
• Brief company introduction
• Launch date, or at least the quarter, season or year
• Periodic updates
• Newsletter subscription
• Social media sign-ups, including Twitter and Facebook

So don't delay. Get your host and domain working for you right away with an optimized, informative and enticing coming soon page.

Author Info

Rick Sloboda is a Senior Web Copywriter at Webcopyplus, which helps designers and businesses boost online traffic, leads and sales with optimized web content. Clients range from independent retailers to some of the world's largest service providers, including AT&T (formerly Cingular), Quest Diagnostics and Scotia Bank.

Rick advocates clear, concise and objective website content that promotes readability and usability, and conducts web content studies with organizations in Europe and the U.S., including Yale University. He speaks frequently at Web-related forums and seminars, including Small Business BC, Content Convergence & Integration, SUCCESS and HRMA. Rick also serves as a consultant to various organizations, such as the Web Development Advisory Committee at Vancouver, B.C.'s Langara College.

Click here to visit Rick's bio page.