All BigCommerce stores are set to a private, pre-launch status when first created. While in this status, search engines are unable to find and list your store in search results and visitors are prevented from browsing your storefront. However, store admins and specially permitted visitors can still preview the storefront.
If you're interested in previewing a theme with your store, see our article on The BigCommerce Theme Marketplace.
Once I've launched my store, can I return my storefront to pre-launch status? Stores that have already launched can be placed in maintenance mode, allowing you to make updates and preview your changes before making them public.
Requirements
- To view the storefront preview code, you must be the Store Owner user.
- To access the View Store or View Storefronts link, you must have the Manage Channels permission enabled on your user account.
- To access Page Builder, you must have the Manage Channels, Store Design, and Design Mode permissions enabled.
Previewing for Store Owners and Admins
Store users with the appropriate permissions can view storefronts at any time through the control panel.
To view your storefront in a new browser tab, click View Store in the upper left corner of the control panel.
If you have more than one storefront, click View Storefronts and select the storefront you want to view.
Storefront Preview Banner
When viewing a storefront from the View Store or View Storefronts link, a preview banner will display along the top of the page.
If you are logged in as the Store Owner, the left side of the banner displays a preview code that you can share with others.
Other users will instead see a notice that the store is down for maintenance and a link to view the“coming soon” page.
Clicking the up arrow will hide the banner in your current browser tab. The banner will return when you view the storefront again from the control panel link.
Don't see a banner or it looks different? The banner location and appearance can vary depending on your theme. If you do not see the banner, contact your theme developer.
Allowing Visitors to Preview Your Store
You can grant visitors access to preview your pre-launched store by providing them with a preview code. You must be logged in as the Store Owner in order to view the preview code.
To locate the preview code for your primary storefront, go to the Dashboard and scroll to the Review & test your store section. It is also located on the preview banner that displays on the top of the page when you click View Store or View Storefronts. The preview code will be a string of alphanumeric characters.
If you do not see this section or if you have more than one storefront, the preview code can also be located using the methods listed below.
When viewing a storefront by using the View Store or View Storefronts link, the preview code can be found on the preview banner.
You can also get a shareable preview link by editing your storefront in Page Builder and clicking Copy private store link at the bottom of the page. Visitors using the link automatically bypass the pre-launch login "coming soon" page.
Have reCAPTCHA enabled? If reCAPTCHA is enabled for the storefront pre-launch login page in Settings › Security & Privacy, the private store link will fail with an "Invalid Captcha" message. Your visitors should enter the preview code manually instead.
Coming Soon Page
When a visitor goes to your storefront, they will see a "coming soon" page with a field to enter the preview code. Submitting the preview code will give them access to view the storefront.
You can enable reCAPTCHA on the "coming soon" page in your store's Security & Privacy settings. If reCAPTCHA is enabled, visitors cannot use a private store link and must enter the preview code manually instead.
Be careful! Storefront channels in pre-launch status function the same as active storefronts. Visitors accessing the storefront with a preview code may be able to place orders.
FAQ
Can I move my store back to pre-launch status?
If you need to return your store to a pre-launch status, reach out to our Support team for assistance.
Are there any restrictions when using the API on a pre-launch store?
Stores in pre-launch or maintenance mode may reject storefront API queries. This may appear as an error message or return as a 503 status code.
How do I remove the preview code and make my store live?
When you’re ready, you can launch your store from the dashboard Pre-launch checklist by clicking the Launch my store button.
You can also make a storefront active from the Channel Manager. Go to Channel Manager and under Storefronts, click the Action menu (⋯) next to your storefront and select Make active.
