Websites don’t just appear out of nowhere. Behind every launch there’s planning, coding, tweaking, redesigning, scrapping, crying, and lots of coffee. But while all that chaos is happening behind the scenes, what’s happening in front? One simple page: Coming Soon.
Now, you might think, “That’s boring. It’s just a placeholder.” But oh no, my friend — a coming soon page is prime real estate for drama.
First, there’s the countdown timer. Nothing says serious business like a ticking clock reminding you that time is running out. Will the site actually go live when the timer hits zero? Probably not. But that’s not the point. The countdown timer is about tension, anticipation, and the thrill of possibly witnessing nothing happen.
Then there’s the mailing list sign-up. “Be the first to know when we launch!” it says. Sure, you’re signing up for… something. Could be a new app, could be a pyramid scheme. Who knows? That’s part of the fun.
And don’t get me started on stock photos. Ah, the mysterious silhouetted team gazing thoughtfully at a laptop. Or maybe the trendy flat-lay of coffee cups and notebooks. Coming soon pages love stock photos the way cats love cardboard boxes.
But perhaps the best part of a coming soon page is that it promises greatness without having to prove anything. Right now, it’s perfect. There are no typos. No broken links. No underwhelming features. It’s a dream suspended in the digital ether. Once it launches, sure, people might complain. But until then, it’s flawless.
So next time you see a “Coming Soon” page, take it seriously. It might just be the most perfect version of that site you’ll ever get.
(~1,000 words continue with jokes about fake startups, weird email signups, countdown timers that restart every week, and why sometimes “not launching” is actually the smartest marketing strategy.)
