Creating optimized WordPress splash pages has a long list of benefits for your website. Although creating these may require a little bit of coding knowledge, it is not rocket science.
You can definitely make it on your own as long as you follow the steps on how to make WordPress splash pages indicated in this article.
What are Splash Page?
Before moving on to the steps, it is important that you have a clear understanding of “what is WordPress splash pages” It is often confused with landing pages or home pages. However, it is very different from these two types of pages. A splash page is web content that goes in front of any page on your website.
It can have several purposes, such as promoting a new product, or it could be used as a warning or disclaimer depending on the industry your business operates. For example, if your website sells alcoholic beverages, the splash page can contain an age warning.
The biggest difference between splash pages compared to landing pages is that they do not necessarily ask visitors for their email address or name. Their main purpose is to provide information or intrigued customers to want to know more about a particular brand or product.
It serves as a welcome screen of the website before visitors are able to see the content of your website. In the past, marketers frowned upon splash pages because it did not provide value to the user experience.
In some cases, it even slowed down the website page. As a result, search engines started penalizing websites with splash pages. However, that is not the case anymore because splash pages have now evolved.
They are now more interactive and can be used to do the following actions aside from age verification providing information:
- Select a language that visitors want to use when browsing the website.
- Select a version that is appropriate with the visitor’s bandwidth. This can be either the full version with animation or the simple text version that does not require a long loading time.
- Show the website sound alert to help visitors get the best user experience when navigating the website.
- Show the loading time of the website
Furthermore, splash pages have now also evolved in terms of style and design. The pictures used today are more attractive, and the text has more depth of emphasis, making them more pleasing to the eyes of the visitors.
With that said, splash pages must have these elements in order for them to have a chance of being effective:
- Informative headline with an attractive feature
- Eye-catching picture or graphic
- Benefit-oriented copy
- A straight point call to action button
- Social proof (i.e., trust seals, customer badges, or customer testimonials)
These elements are also important to increase the success rate of splash pages:
- An obvious exit button
- A clear message (this can either be about a promotion or disclaimer depending on your website niche)
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Steps on How to Make Splash Pages Using WordPress
Now that you have a better idea of what a splash page WordPress is, understanding the concepts on how to build it will be a lot easier for you. Here are the steps on how to create splash pages using WordPress:
Step-1: Set Up the Custom Page Template
The first step to create a splash page in WordPress is to use the page template. If you are not familiar with what a page template is, it is basically a file that can be found in your theme directory. It will enable you to customize and personalize layouts.
Although it is possible to build splash pages without using the page template, not using it might be too complicated. Besides, using a page template will allow you to integrate the theme you created on your website directly. To set up the page template, you need to use this code:
/* Template Name: Splash */
?>
Make sure to save these codes as splash.php before adding more code. Double-check the file and ensure that it is not saved as a .html file, or else you will be having problems later on. The code mentioned above will signal WordPress that what you are doing is a template.
With this, you can access it through a drop-down menu found in the page editor. It will appear in the name you used when you saved it, which is “splash.” As for the other parts of the templates, you will need to use basic codes or HTML.
However, take note that when you are using basic HTML, some WordPress features or shortcodes may not be available.
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Step-2: Add the Home Page
Once you are done with the page template, you will need to log into your WordPress account. From there, click on “add new” found under the page option. This is where you will begin making the home page.
This step is pretty straightforward because all you have to do is to type in “Homepage” and click on the publish button.
You will be able to see the page by going to www.yourdomain.com/homepage after you publish it.
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Step-3: Add the Splash Page
This is now the actual step on how to create a splash page in WordPress. Just like in the previous step, you will need to make a new page. To do this, go to “page” and type in “Splash.” After that, select the splash page template that you made a few steps ago. You can find it from the drop-down menu typically found in the sidebar of the platform. Once that is all set, click on publish.
Just like the homepage, you can see whether what you did is successful by going to www.yourdomain.com/splash, If everything appears how you want it to, then you are on the right path.
If it is not, there is probably wrong with how you set up your page template. It can either be in your codes or how you upload it, so better double-check everything.
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Step-4: Arrange
The last step is for the final WordPress intro splash pages touches. You will need to go to the settings and click on “reading.” There you will find the option “Your homepage displays” and a radio button with “A static page” label. Under that option, select the “Splash” template as the front page, and “Homepage” when you post your page. Then save the changes.
view the result on your website’s splash page. Suppose everything is according to how you like, then congratulations. You just finished making your own splash page. Below an example of splash page that we made.
If you find the steps mentioned above to be too complicated, you can always hire a web developer to make a splash page for your website. They can ensure that the codes are correct and you get the splash page that you want.
However, hiring a professional to make the splash page for you can be quite expensive, so make sure that you will be getting your money’s worth.
And remember, you are not supposed to put up the splash page for an extended period of time because they can be repetitive or annoying, especially for repeat visitors.
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Do’s of WordPress Splash Pages
In order to create effective WordPress visual composer splash pages, you need the right strategy. Here are the do’s and don’ts when making splash pages using WordPress.
Keep it Simple
Avoid putting too much text on your splash pages because it will be less appealing for the visitors, especially that many of them are always in a hurry or have short attention spans. Keep it short and simple.
Use a Visually Pleasing Design
Use bold letters to put emphasis on necessary details and avoid using too many bright colors that will affect the overall aesthetic. The photo must also be high-quality, and it should help convey what you want your visitors to get.
Have a Solid Message
The goal of a splash page is to initiate a conversation with the visitor. You will not be able to do this if your message is not clear. The message is not necessarily in the text alone but also in the choice of images and call to action options that you want to feature.
Don’ts of WordPress Splash Pages
Get Carried Away
Avoid using splash pages for too long since these are more effective for temporary promotions or special offers. You could also use it as WordPress splash countdown pages to remind visitors of upcoming discounts or launches.
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Final Words
Using the WordPress splash page plugin makes the task of creating the splash page a lot easier. It is definitely something that you can do, given that you have basic coding and WordPress experience. Without a doubt, WordPress splash pages are making a huge comeback, especially because they can now serve multiple purposes.
If used correctly, it can significantly help improve your marketing strategy and the overall user experience of your website.
