Setting up an Coming Soon or Under Construction page is a simple process involving creating a temporary landing page to let visitors know your website is being developed. This placeholder page will be visible while your main site is under construction. Here is a step-by-step guide on creating an Under Construction page for your website and additional useful information.

An Under Construction page is a placeholder to prevent public access to your website while it’s being built or tested on a Web Hosting server. These pages are often used when a domain is parked with a provider until the owner is ready to use it, a practice known as Domain Parking.

How to Create an Under Construction Page

• Login to your Domains.co.za account.

• Click on the Manage Services section

• Click on Web Hosting to view your hosted sites.

Click Manage next to the one you want to edit to access cPanel

Access the File Manager and find the root folder (use the “public_html” folder for the main domain).

Create a New File: Click on “New File” and name it something like “underconstruction.html”.

Create the File: Click the “Create New File” button.

Editing Your Under Construction Page

1. Open the HTML Editor: Select the filename you just created and click on “HTML Editor.”
2. Design the Page: Include your contact information and a brief paragraph about your company and products.
3. Save the File: Make sure to save your changes.

Default Pages

Default pages are standard web pages automatically displayed by a web server under certain circumstances. They are used to manage specific situations or errors. The default pages that all servers look for in order of priority are:

index.htm

index.html

index.php

default.htm

Changing the Default Index Page via the .htaccess File

The .htaccess file allows you to modify how your website behaves.

1. Open File Manager: Click on “Web Root” (use the dropdown to select the right domain name if you have addon domains).
2. Show Hidden Files: Tick the box to “Show Hidden Files.”
3. Edit the .htaccess File: Right-click on the .htaccess file and select “Edit.”
4. Add Code: Paste the following code at the beginning of the file (replace with your filename, e.g., “underconstruction.html”):

#Alternate default index page
DirectoryIndex underconstruction.html

Save the changes to the file and ensure everything is working by testing your site online.

You can add more filenames to the code. The server will check them in order from left to right. For example:

#Alternate default index page
DirectoryIndex underconstruction.html index.htm index.html index.php default.htm

That’s it! Your Under Construction page is ready.

Additional Information

Tips and Best Practices

1. Use Clear Messaging: Clearly communicate that the website is undergoing maintenance or being built. Include an apology for the inconvenience and an estimated completion time if necessary.
2. Add Contact Information: Provide contact information or a support email address for urgent assistance or inquiries during maintenance.
3. Make It Visually Appealing: Use a design that aligns with your branding. A simple colour scheme and engaging graphics can make a big difference.
4. Include Subscription Option: Invite visitors to subscribe to updates or newsletters. This allows you to notify them when your site is back online.
5. Social Media Links: Link your social media profiles to keep visitors updated and engaged.
6. Use a Countdown Timer: If you have an estimated time for the website to go live, consider adding a countdown timer.
7. Prioritise Getting Back Online: Remember, an under construction page is a temporary solution. Aim to get your main website back online as soon as possible. Keep users informed and engaged throughout the maintenance process.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively create and manage your website’s Under Construction page.