While you add new functionalities to your existing site or uploading a new website to a domain, you do need to inform your users that the site is under maintenance, and you will be up and running very soon. Having a custom message for your visitors instead of welcoming them with a ‘this site is not available’ message adds more value to the overall user experience.
And, if you are using WordPress CMS, then you have got hundreds of options to turn this time into an opportunity and make future customers. So, if you are confused about which maintenance plugin to use while you complete your website’s work, then we have got you covered.
In this article, we will have a look at the top five WordPress maintenance plugins that you must be using in 2021 to improve the UX and retain more visitors.
1. Minimal Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode
If you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use WordPress maintenance plugin then this one is for you. With this plugin, you can showcase your company logo, custom background images, custom content, or email opt-in forms for your visitors. Or, you can also create a dedicated landing page to display that you are under maintenance.
From basic to advanced modification, you can customize the maintenance landing page as you want and improve your CTR. This plugin is available in both the free and paid versions. If you are just started your online business and making some changes, then the free version would get you going. And if you opt for the pro version ($6.99 a month), you will get a lot of customization options for your landing pages.
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2. Maintenance
This is among the most downloaded maintenance plugins for WordPress that are available on the WordPress.org platform. It is a simple to use plugin which lets you make a landing page with a simple to manage setting page. Through this plugin, you can add your company logo, add some color elements to the page and also add a background image.
One interesting thing about this plugin is that you can also embed videos or images on this plugin. Another important thing that is very helpful for website owners is that you can also link your Google Analytics to the maintenance page to check useful insights. In the pro version, you can also include a countdown timer, your social media platforms, video background for $26. If you are planning to buy the pro version of this plugin, then it’s highly recommended as it’s highly useful and intuitive.
3. WP Maintenance Mode
When it comes to a totally free and robust maintenance plugin then the name of WP Maintenance Mode comes first. More than 600K websites are actively using this plugin and this lets you connect your Google Analytics account for free. You can also customize who can see and control the admin area along with the front end of the maintenance mode page.
WP Maintenance Mode plugin lets you change background images to improve your branding using the visual editor of WordPress. You can also showcase a countdown timer or a subscription form in a completely free manner. If you are looking for the best free plugin for maintenance mode, then this is the best one that you can go for.
4. Under Construction
Under Construction is also a popular plugin and more than 300K active websites are using it. This is also a freemium plugin that comes with tons of customization options in the pro version. In the free version, this plugin comes with two landing pages that are sufficient to fulfill the purpose. With WordPress visual editor, you can also add social media icons, login buttons, and more to your maintenance plugin.
You can also set an end time for your maintenance message and set specific permissions if you have more than more users on your site. For the pro version of the Under Construction WordPress plugin, you need to pay $69.
5. Coming Soon & Maintenance Plugin (CMP)
This is also an absolutely free plugin that comes with various advanced options for your maintenance mode. It is a highly customizable maintenance plugin that offers you a wide range of personalization options. You can showcase a custom landing page for your website and it also comes with a blacklist option if you want to block certain IP addresses.
For free, you can add a custom timer, background images, or your company logo to your maintenance page and greet your visitors with a personalized experience. Along with all these, you can also change the font style and CSS of the page to make it more decorative.
These were the top five WordPress maintenance plugins that you must try in 2021 to maintain a good user experience even when your site is not in function.