Using Maintenance Plugins and Templates for WordPress
Using WordPress maintenance plugins, whenever your website is down, may be more important than you think. No matter how long it won’t be available for the public, your visitors should at least see that something is happening. Instead of 404 error, a nicely presented maintenance page should do the trick.
There is absolutely nothing wrong when a 404 error pops up on the page that is not found on the server. However, when it happens upon entering the URL, your visitors will assume that your website has been deleted. This can only result in loss of visitors. To avoid it, and even better, to take advantage for an upcoming website, you should consider using maintenance plugins or teplates.
Under construction page templates
Most of the time custom under construction page templates will provide more options than plugins, but they are usually not a free option. However, with prices averaging around five dollars (on ThemeForest), this is very inexpensive way to add professional looks to your maintenance page.
1. Prepare for Launch template
A sleek design and the right use of colors have a huge impact on the first impression.
2. EVO – Fullscreen site launch template
A fine example of taking advantage of displaying images on fullscreen.
Most of these templates can be customized in any way you want. They come with already built-in options panel and applying changes is super easy. Also, countdown timers, Twitter updates, newsletter subscription options, and contact forms are probably most important elements you should be looking for.
3. SuperCharged Under Construction template
Furthermore, to take advantage over disadvantage, you should definitely find a template that has cool effects because it creates a certain hype and most of the time it’s the main reason why visitors return.
Plugins
WordPress has plugins for everything and maintenance plugins are no exception. Fast installation and easy setup are the main reasons why most blog owners decide to use them. These plugins usually come with already pre-defined functionality and changing options should take just seconds. Two of the most popular and widely used plugins are included below.
1. ThemeFuse Maintenance Plugin
A plugin from ThemeFuse which allows you to tweak your website while your visitors see an awesome coming soon page. Includes:
- Twitter integration
- Newsletter subcribe form
- Time count down
- Custom admin message
- Custom background
- Custom logo
2. WP Maintenance Mode
Adds a simple maintenance page to your blog that lets visitors know your blog is down for maintenance.
Conclusions
It all comes down to what you want to achieve by showing maintenance page. If your website will not be available for prolonged period of time, you should consider more professionally designed template with countdown timer and additional features. If the website is going to be down only for a few minutes or so, then a simple plugin is everything you need.
