# A password page that collects emails before launch

> Use Shopify’s private mode as a launch page: password, visitor message, an email sign-up tagged for launch day, the password template and how to go public.

Page: https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-tricks/password-page-for-launches

## In short

Private mode hides every page of your Shopify store behind a password page, which makes it a ready-made launch page. Turn it on under Online Store > Preferences, set a password and a visitor message, then edit the Password template in the theme editor. Its email sign-up form creates customers tagged prospect and password page, so you can email that list when you switch the store to Public.

## Facts

- **Turn on:** Online Store > Preferences > Private mode
- **Template:** templates/password.json
- **Sign-ups:** Customers tagged prospect, password page
- **Go live:** Online Store access menu > Public
- **Last checked:** 2 November 2026

## How to use it

1. Online Store > Preferences: turn on Private mode, choose a shareable password (not your admin password) and add a message for visitors.
2. In the theme editor, switch the template drop-down to Password and edit the header, email sign-up and footer sections.
3. Share the password with your team and testers; everyone else sees the landing page.
4. On launch day, set the access menu on the Online Store page to Public, then email the customers tagged password page.

## Code

### password-signup.liquid

```liquid
{%- comment -%}
  A launch sign-up form for the password template (inside a section).
  The customer form creates a customer with these tags, so you can email the
  list on launch day. shop.password_message is the message set in Preferences.
{%- endcomment -%}
{%- unless shop.password_message == blank -%}
  <p>{{ shop.password_message }}</p>
{%- endunless -%}

{% form 'customer' %}
  {%- if form.posted_successfully? -%}
    <p>Thanks, we'll email you when we open.</p>
  {%- else -%}
    {{ form.errors | default_errors }}
    <input type="hidden" name="contact[tags]" value="prospect, password page">
    <label for="LaunchEmail">Email</label>
    <input id="LaunchEmail" type="email" name="contact[email]" required autocomplete="email">
    <button type="submit">Notify me</button>
  {%- endif -%}
{% endform %}

{%- comment -%} Let the team in: the storefront password form. {%- endcomment -%}
{% form 'storefront_password' %}
  {{ form.errors | default_errors }}
  <label for="StorePassword">Password</label>
  <input id="StorePassword" type="password" name="password">
  <button type="submit">Enter</button>
{% endform %}
```

### steps.txt

```text
# Turn private mode on (password page for everyone without the password)
Online Store > Preferences > Store access > Private mode: on
Password: something you can share (not your admin password)
Message to your visitors: launch date or teaser text > Save

# Or from Online Store: access menu (Public / Private) > Private > Update

# Edit the page itself
Online Store > Edit theme > top drop-down > Password
Default sections: Password header, Email signup banner, Password footer

# Launch day
Online Store > access menu > Public > Update
(The first time the button says Launch store, and Shopify asks you to finish
 the required setup steps, such as picking a plan, first.)

# Check the sign-ups afterwards
Customers list, search:  tag:'password page'
```

## Limits and edge cases

- Search engines can’t see your pages while private mode is on, so launch before you start SEO work that needs indexing.
- Development stores always show their own password page; the custom one is only visible after logging in at /password.
- The first switch to public is labelled Launch store and needs the required setup steps, such as choosing a plan.
- Cart permalinks don’t get past the password; test campaign links after launch.

## Questions

### How do I put a password on my Shopify store?

Online Store > Preferences: turn on Private mode and set a password. Or use the access menu on the Online Store page.

### Can I collect emails on the Shopify password page?

Yes. The password template’s email sign-up creates customers with the tags prospect and password page.

### How do I remove the password from my Shopify store?

On the Online Store page, open the access menu, choose Public and click Update (Launch store the first time).

### Is the password page indexed by Google?

In private mode your store’s pages are hidden from visitors and search engines.

## Shopify documentation

- [Restrict access to your online store](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/password-page)
- [password template](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/architecture/templates/password)

## Related

- [Share an unpublished theme preview](https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-tricks/preview-theme-id)
- [Test orders with the Test payment gateway (Bogus Gateway)](https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-tricks/test-orders-bogus-gateway)
- [Countdown banner Shopify section](https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-sections/countdown-banner)
- [Newsletter signup Shopify section](https://lintelagency.com/resources/shopify-sections/newsletter)

License: MIT. Free to use in your own store and in client work.