Elegant Themes Anticipate WordPress Plugin

The Anticipate WordPress plugin by Elegant Themes is a powerful tool designed to help website owners build anticipation for their upcoming website launch. Whether you’re preparing for a new site, a redesign, or an important update, Anticipate allows you to create a visually appealing and informative “coming soon” page that keeps your visitors engaged while your site is under construction.

In this article, we will explore the features, benefits, and setup process of the Anticipate plugin, helping you leverage its capabilities to make the most of your pre-launch period.

Key Features of the Anticipate WordPress Plugin

1. Customizable Coming Soon Page

Anticipate allows you to create a fully customizable “coming soon” page that matches your brand’s style and messaging. You can easily add your logo, custom text, and a background image to create a unique and professional look that captures your visitors’ attention.

2. Real-Time Preview

The plugin offers a real-time preview feature, allowing you to see changes as you make them. This makes it easy to fine-tune your coming soon page until it looks perfect, ensuring a seamless visitor experience.

3. Countdown Timer

A key feature of Anticipate is its built-in countdown timer. This adds a sense of urgency and excitement, letting your visitors know exactly when your site will go live. You can set the timer to a specific date and time, and it will automatically update as the launch day approaches.

4. Email Opt-In Integration

To keep in touch with your visitors during the pre-launch phase, Anticipate integrates with email marketing services, allowing you to collect email addresses directly from the coming soon page. This is an excellent way to build your email list and keep your audience informed about your launch.

5. Social Media Integration

The plugin also includes social media buttons, enabling you to link your social profiles directly from the coming soon page. This helps you grow your social following and keeps your audience engaged across different platforms while your site is under construction.

6. Visitor Segmentation

One of the unique features of Anticipate is its ability to show different content to logged-in users versus regular visitors. This allows you to display the “coming soon” page to the public while still giving your team or clients access to the full website for development and testing.

7. Lightweight and Fast

Anticipate is designed to be lightweight and efficient, ensuring that your coming soon page loads quickly and doesn’t slow down your website, even while it’s under construction.

8. Easy Setup and User-Friendly Interface

Anticipate is designed for ease of use, with a straightforward interface that allows you to set up your coming soon page in minutes. No coding skills are required, making it accessible to users of all experience levels.

Benefits of Using the Anticipate Plugin

1. Build Hype and Anticipation

By creating a professional and visually appealing coming soon page, you can build excitement and anticipation for your website launch. The countdown timer and email opt-in features help generate buzz and keep your audience engaged.

2. Grow Your Email List

The integration with email marketing services allows you to capture leads before your site even goes live. This means you can start building your email list and have a ready audience to reach out to when your site launches.

3. Maintain Professionalism During Development

Rather than leaving your site blank or under construction, Anticipate provides a polished and branded coming soon page that maintains a professional appearance, even while your site is being developed.

4. Stay Connected with Your Audience

Social media and email opt-ins allow you to keep your audience informed and connected throughout the pre-launch period. You can easily update them on your progress and ensure they are aware of your launch date.

5. Flexible Visitor Segmentation

With the ability to display different content to logged-in users, you can work on your site behind the scenes without disrupting the visitor experience. This feature is particularly useful for teams or clients who need access to the development version of the site.

How to Set Up the Anticipate WordPress Plugin

1. Installation

1. Download the Plugin:
   • Purchase and download the Anticipate plugin from the Elegant Themes website.
2. Install the Plugin:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and upload the Anticipate plugin zip file. Once uploaded, click Install Now.
3. Activate the Plugin:
   • After installation, click Activate to enable the plugin on your site.

2. Configuring the Coming Soon Page

1. Access the Plugin Settings:
   • Once activated, go to Anticipate in your WordPress dashboard to access the plugin settings.
2. Customize Your Page:
   • Add your logo, custom text, and background image. Use the visual editor to customize the appearance and content of your coming soon page.
3. Set the Countdown Timer:
   • Configure the countdown timer by setting the launch date and time. This will display a real-time countdown on your coming soon page.
4. Enable Email Opt-Ins:
   • Connect your preferred email marketing service to start collecting email addresses. You can customize the opt-in form to match your brand’s style.
5. Add Social Media Links:
   • Add your social media profiles to the page using the built-in social media buttons.
6. Segment Your Visitors:
   • If needed, configure the plugin to show the coming soon page to public visitors while allowing logged-in users to access the full site.

3. Preview and Publish

1. Preview Your Page:
   • Use the real-time preview feature to see how your coming soon page will look to visitors.
2. Go Live:
   • Once you’re satisfied with your setup, save your settings and your coming soon page will go live. Public visitors will see the Anticipate page, while you and your team can continue working on the main site.

Best Practices for Using Anticipate

1. Keep the Design Simple and On-Brand

Since the coming soon page is often the first impression visitors have of your site, make sure it reflects your brand’s identity. Use a clean design that matches your logo and brand colors to create a cohesive look.

2. Use the Countdown Timer to Build Excitement

A countdown timer adds urgency and excitement to your launch. Make sure to set a realistic date that you can commit to and keep your audience updated if any changes occur.

3. Capture Leads Early

Take full advantage of the email opt-in feature to start building your email list before launch. Offer an incentive, such as exclusive content or a special discount, to encourage sign-ups.

4. Leverage Social Media

Use the social media buttons to grow your audience across platforms. Keep your followers updated on your progress and share behind-the-scenes content to maintain engagement.

5. Test Your Page Across Devices

Since the coming soon page is often the first touchpoint for many visitors, ensure it looks great on all devices. Test your page on desktops, tablets, and smartphones to ensure a consistent experience.

Conclusion

The Elegant Themes Anticipate WordPress Plugin is an essential tool for anyone looking to build anticipation and engage their audience before launching a website. With its customizable design, countdown timer, email opt-in integration, and social media features, Anticipate helps you create a professional and effective coming soon page that keeps visitors excited about what’s to come.

By following the setup guide and best practices outlined in this article, you can make the most of the Anticipate plugin and ensure a successful website launch.