# Getting Started

This guide covers installing **StoreCrafted Site Visibility Manager for WooCommerce** and running a content-led launch: keep WooCommerce’s Coming Soon template, and open only the parts of the site you choose.

This is **not** a Coming Soon or maintenance-mode page builder. The plugin adds a **public allowlist** on top of WooCommerce Site Visibility.

## Why you may want this plugin

WooCommerce Site Visibility is either **entire site** or **store pages only**. Many launches need a middle option: keep building the storefront, but still publish content the public can read.

**Use for:**

- Finishing products, pricing, or checkout while keeping the **blog open** for updates, launch news, or SEO content
- A public **homepage** (brand story, waitlist, press) while **shop, products, cart, and checkout** stay gated
- A few specific pages (About, Contact, Lookbook) without opening every non-store URL
- Agency launches that should stay on Woo’s Coming Soon template — not a separate maintenance plugin

Without this plugin, **Apply to store pages only** opens *all* non-store URLs. Site Visibility Manager lets you open **selected** sections and URLs instead.

## Requirements

ComponentMinimumWordPress7.0WooCommerce11.0PHP8.1

WooCommerce must be active. The plugin will not boot without a supported WooCommerce version.

**WordPress.org slug / text domain:** `storecrafted-site-visibility-manager`

## Installation

1. Install from **Plugins → Add New Plugin** (search for Site Visibility Manager), or upload the zip via **Plugins → Add New Plugin → Upload Plugin**.
2. Activate **StoreCrafted Site Visibility Manager for WooCommerce**.
3. Confirm a new settings tab appears under **WooCommerce → Settings → Site Visibility Manager**.

**What to expect:** No database tables are created. Settings live in a single WordPress option. Nothing is public until you enable Coming Soon and turn on allowlist sections.

## How it works

While WooCommerce Site Visibility is set to **Coming soon**, this plugin evaluates each front-end request against your allowlist:

1. Matching requests render normally (public).
2. Non-matching requests keep Woo’s **Page: Coming soon** template.
3. Shop managers (`manage_woocommerce`) and Woo’s private share link continue to bypass Coming Soon as usual.

The plugin hooks Woo’s Coming Soon **template path only**. It does not change REST API or Store API visibility.

## Admin screens at a glance

ScreenPathPurposeSite visibility**WooCommerce → Settings → Site visibility**Turn Coming Soon on/off; entire site vs store pages only; private share linkSite Visibility Manager**WooCommerce → Settings → Site Visibility Manager**Public sections, pages, posts, types, taxonomies, uninstall optionComing Soon template**Appearance → Editor → Templates → Page: Coming soon**Design the gated landing page (block themes)

## First-run checklist

### Step 1 — Enable WooCommerce Coming Soon

1. Go to **WooCommerce → Settings → Site visibility**.
2. Choose **Coming soon**.
3. Leave **Apply to store pages only** **off** for the usual “content public, shop closed” launch.
4. Optionally enable WooCommerce’s private share link so colleagues can preview the full store.

**Note:** If the site is **Live**, allowlist settings still save but do not gate the front end. Coming Soon must be on for the allowlist to apply.

### Step 2 — Configure the public allowlist

1. Go to **WooCommerce → Settings → Site Visibility Manager**.
2. Confirm the status panel shows **Coming soon** and **Entire site**.
3. Enable the sections you want public — for example **Homepage**, **Blog index**, and **Blog posts**.
4. Optionally add exact pages under **Public pages** (child pages stay gated unless selected).
5. Click **Save changes**.

**What to expect:** Logged-out visitors can view allowlisted URLs normally. Other URLs show the Coming Soon template.

### Step 3 — Design the Coming Soon page

1. From the status panel, open **Edit Coming Soon template** (block themes), or go to **Appearance → Editor → Templates → Page: Coming soon**.
2. Edit with WordPress blocks as usual.
3. This plugin does not ship a competing landing-page builder.

## Verification

- Visit the homepage and a blog post while logged out — they should render normally if those presets are on.
- Visit **Shop** or a product URL — they should show Coming Soon unless you enabled those presets.
- Open the WooCommerce private share link — the full store should unlock.
- Sign in as a shop manager — you should see the full site and Woo’s Coming Soon admin badge as usual.

## Limitations

- Hooks the Coming Soon **template path only** — does **not** hide products or content from the REST API or Store API.
- **Not** a general WordPress maintenance-mode plugin for sites without WooCommerce.
- Password-protected allowlisted content is excluded from Coming Soon; WordPress’s password gate still applies.
- Feeds, search, attachments, author archives, and date archives are never opened by the allowlist.
- Child pages of an allowlisted page are **not** opened automatically.

## Next steps

- [Configuration](https://storecrafted.com/document/site-visibility-manager-for-woocommerce/configuration/) — every setting and preset explained
- [FAQ](https://storecrafted.com/document/site-visibility-manager-for-woocommerce/faq/) — common launch questions
- [Developers](https://storecrafted.com/document/site-visibility-manager-for-woocommerce/developers/) — filters, REST, and Abilities API