Squarespace is a versatile platform for e-commerce, offering tools to showcase and sell products effectively. Adding a “Coming Soon” product is a great way to build anticipation and engage customers before the official launch. While Squarespace doesn’t have a native “Coming Soon” feature, you can use its customization options to achieve the same effect. This article provides step-by-step instructions to create and promote a “Coming Soon” product on Squarespace.
What Are Coming Soon Products?
A “Coming Soon” product is a placeholder for an item that hasn’t been released yet but is being showcased to generate interest. These products are often accompanied by promotional text, teaser images, and call-to-action elements like email signups.
Why Add a Coming Soon Product?
- Build Anticipation: Create buzz around your upcoming product or service.
- Drive Engagement: Keep customers revisiting your site for updates.
- Enhance Marketing: Align the product page with pre-launch campaigns to maximize visibility.
- For example, if you’re preparing to launch a popular item like Salt Nic vape juice, showcasing it as a “Coming Soon” product can help generate excitement among your target audience.
How to Add a Coming Soon Product on Squarespace
Here are the methods to set up a “Coming Soon” product on Squarespace:
1. Create a Placeholder Product Page
A simple way to add a “Coming Soon” product is by creating a placeholder product page. Follow these steps:
- Log in to Your Squarespace Account: Navigate to your site dashboard.
- Add a New Product: In the Commerce section, click Products → Add Product → Physical Product (or Digital, depending on your offering).
- Set the Product Status to Unavailable: This will ensure the product cannot be purchased yet.
- Add a Title and Description: Use titles like “Coming Soon” and include a brief teaser about the product.
- Upload Placeholder Images: Use mockups or teaser graphics to visually represent the product.
This method lets you display the product without allowing customers to buy it until it’s officially launched.
2. Enable the Pre-Order Option
If you want customers to secure their purchase before the product launch, enable the pre-order option:
- Add a New Product: Create a product as described above.
- Set Availability to “Pre-Order”: Under Product Status, choose Pre-Order to allow customers to place orders in advance.
- Add “Coming Soon” Messaging: Include text in the description indicating the product’s release date.
Pre-orders are a great way to gauge demand and create urgency around your product launch.
3. Add a “Coming Soon” Tag or Banner
Visual indicators like tags or banners help emphasize the product’s upcoming status. Here’s how to add them:
- Edit the Product Title: Append “(Coming Soon)” to the product name for clear visibility.
- Use Custom Badges: Add a banner overlay or image badge with the text “Coming Soon.” This can be done using graphic design tools like Canva or Photoshop.
- Customize Product Images: Include the “Coming Soon” label directly on the product photo to make it stand out.
These visual elements draw attention to your product and enhance the user experience.
4. Use a Countdown Timer for Added Anticipation
A countdown timer can generate excitement by showing exactly when the product will launch. While Squarespace doesn’t offer a native timer, you can embed one:
- Use a Third-Party Countdown Tool: Generate a timer using tools like TickCounter or Countdown Timer.
- Embed the Timer: Copy the embed code and paste it into a Code Block on your product page.
The timer will dynamically display the time remaining until the product is available, keeping your audience engaged.
Customizing the Appearance of Your Coming Soon Product
Here are some tips to effectively customize the appearance of your “Coming Soon” product and make it stand out:
Teaser Images and Descriptions
Add high-quality teaser images and concise descriptions to create intrigue. Mention features, benefits, or why the product is worth the wait.
Add an Email Signup Form
Capture customer interest by integrating an email signup form:
- Add a Form Block to the product page.
- Title it “Be the First to Know” or “Sign Up for Updates.”
- Connect the form to your Squarespace Email Campaigns or an integration like Mailchimp.
Email lists let you notify interested customers when the product goes live, boosting launch-day sales.
Promoting Your Coming Soon Product
Here’s how you can promote your “Coming Soon” product to maximize visibility and engagement.
Use the Announcement Bar
Squarespace’s announcement bar is perfect for promoting upcoming products site-wide. Go to Marketing → Announcement Bar and add a message like “Exciting New Product Coming Soon—Click Here to Learn More!”
Leverage Social Media
Share the product link on social platforms to create buzz. Use teasers, countdowns, and promotional hashtags to amplify visibility.
Run Pre-Launch Campaigns
Coordinate pre-launch campaigns using Squarespace’s marketing integrations. Use email marketing to keep your audience updated about the product release.
Benefits of Adding a Coming Soon Product
- Increases Engagement: Keeps customers returning to your site for updates.
- Boosts Anticipation: Creates excitement for your upcoming product.
- Aligns Marketing Goals: Supports campaigns aimed at building momentum before launch.
Conclusion
Adding a “Coming Soon” product on Squarespace is a simple yet effective way to generate anticipation and engage your audience. Whether you use a placeholder page, pre-order functionality, or a countdown timer, the flexibility of Squarespace allows you to customize your approach. Combine this with marketing tools and email signups to ensure a successful product launch.
Start building excitement for your next product today! If you have questions or additional tips, share them in the comments below.