Can I create an under construction page without a plugin?

Yes, you can create a normal page and set it as the static homepage in Settings > Reading. This is suitable when you only need to replace the front page, especially on a new site. It does not automatically hide posts, shop pages, account screens or other direct URLs, so a plugin is better for full maintenance mode.

How do I hide the whole WordPress site during development?

Use a maintenance-mode or under-construction plugin that intercepts public visitors while allowing administrators to work. A normal WordPress page only changes the homepage; it does not protect every URL. After enabling the plugin, test the site in a private browser window and check that your administrator login still works.

Why can I still see the old under construction page after disabling it?

The old page is usually being served from a browser, WordPress, hosting or CDN cache. Clear each relevant cache, then test from a private browser window or another connection. Also check for a second maintenance plugin or a theme setting that is still displaying the temporary page. Support reports commonly identify caching or plugin conflicts in this situation.

Does WordPress have built-in maintenance mode?

WordPress has a temporary core maintenance state used during updates, but it is not a complete tool for designing a branded launch page. Core checks for a.maintenance file in the WordPress root and treats it as active only for a limited period, so it is not the right way to run a planned coming-soon campaign.

Which is the fastest way to make a branded page?

A maintenance plugin is fastest when you need a ready-made design, site-wide visitor control, a countdown or an email form. UnderConstructionPage PRO fits this use because it provides drag-and-drop templates, countdowns, lead capture and analytics. The manual page method is fine when you only need a simple temporary homepage.

How to create an under construction page in WordPress

Design & Layout Time About 20 minutes 6 steps Updated 29 Sep 2026

The short answer

For a basic launch screen, create an Under Construction page with the block editor and set it as your homepage in Settings > Reading. That only replaces the homepage, though. To hide the rest of the site, let logged-in users work normally, or add a countdown and sign-up form, use a maintenance-mode plugin.

The route

01Decide what visitors should see
02Create the temporary page
03Set it as the homepage
04Check access and search settings
05Use maintenance mode for full control
06Turn it off and clear caches

What you need

Administrator access to WordPress
A logo, background image or brand colours
A planned launch date and contact or social links

Decide what visitors should see

Choose whether you need a simple homepage notice or a true site-wide maintenance screen. A homepage notice is enough for a new site or a short launch delay. If visitors must be blocked from posts, shop pages, account pages and other URLs, use the plugin route instead.

Write the minimum useful message: what is changing, when the site should return, and how visitors can contact you. Do not promise a launch time you cannot meet.

Create the temporary page

In the WordPress dashboard, go to Pages > Add New. Name the page something clear, such as Under construction, then build it with blocks.

Add your logo, a short explanation, the expected launch date, an email address or social links, and a suitable background. Keep the page readable on a phone. Set the page URL to a simple slug such as under-construction, then publish it.

Set it as the homepage

Go to Settings > Reading. Under the front-page display option, choose a static page and select your new Under construction page as the homepage. Save the changes. WordPress uses this setting when deciding which front-page template and content to display.

Open the site in a private browser window to check what logged-out visitors see. Your normal pages and direct URLs may still be available, so this manual method is not a complete maintenance lock.

Check access and search settings

Visit the homepage, a normal page, a post, the login screen and any shop or account URLs. Confirm that your logo, text, buttons and images load correctly without being logged in.

If the site is not ready to appear in search results, set the appropriate search-engine visibility option in your SEO plugin or site settings. Remove temporary copy and restore your normal homepage when the site is ready.

Use maintenance mode for full control

For a live site, install and activate a maintenance or under-construction plugin. Use its settings to enable the mode, choose who can bypass it, select a template, and add a countdown, lead form or analytics connection if needed.

This is the fast way because it can show one temporary screen across the site without replacing every page manually. Test the public view while logged out, and keep a separate administrator window open so you do not lock yourself out.

Turn it off and clear caches

When the site is ready, disable the maintenance mode before announcing the launch, then restore the intended homepage under Settings > Reading if you used the manual method.

If visitors still see the old screen, clear the browser, WordPress, hosting and CDN caches. Support threads repeatedly report cached maintenance pages and conflicts with caching plugins as the reason a site appears stuck after the mode is disabled.

The fast route

Let UnderConstructionPage PRO do it

Drag-and-drop templates, countdowns, lead capture, and analytics for branded maintenance pages while a site is offline.

Get UnderConstructionPage PRO

Sources

developer.wordpress.org /themes/templates/template-hierarchy/?utm_source=openai
wordpress.org /support/topic/my-site-is-not-displaying-after-disabling-und…
developer.wordpress.org /reference/functions/wp_is_maintenance_mode/?utm_source=open…

Questions

Can I create an under construction page without a plugin?: Yes, you can create a normal page and set it as the static homepage in Settings > Reading. This is suitable when you only need to replace the front page, especially on a new site. It does not automatically hide posts, shop pages, account screens or other direct URLs, so a plugin is better for full maintenance mode.
How do I hide the whole WordPress site during development?: Use a maintenance-mode or under-construction plugin that intercepts public visitors while allowing administrators to work. A normal WordPress page only changes the homepage; it does not protect every URL. After enabling the plugin, test the site in a private browser window and check that your administrator login still works.
Why can I still see the old under construction page after disabling it?: The old page is usually being served from a browser, WordPress, hosting or CDN cache. Clear each relevant cache, then test from a private browser window or another connection. Also check for a second maintenance plugin or a theme setting that is still displaying the temporary page. Support reports commonly identify caching or plugin conflicts in this situation.
Does WordPress have built-in maintenance mode?: WordPress has a temporary core maintenance state used during updates, but it is not a complete tool for designing a branded launch page. Core checks for a.maintenance file in the WordPress root and treats it as active only for a limited period, so it is not the right way to run a planned coming-soon campaign.
Which is the fastest way to make a branded page?: A maintenance plugin is fastest when you need a ready-made design, site-wide visitor control, a countdown or an email form. UnderConstructionPage PRO fits this use because it provides drag-and-drop templates, countdowns, lead capture and analytics. The manual page method is fine when you only need a simple temporary homepage.