How do I show my site to a client before it goes live?
Every site has a Preview and collaboration link that gives access to the site even when it's in private mode. This link is in the banner shown below the site header as long as the site is in private mode.
Private mode makes the site inaccessible to the public: it can only be reached through the preview URL. It's the door you open to whoever you choose.
Get the link
- Open the site from your Projects.
- In the banner below the site header, find Preview and collaboration link.
- Check that the toggle is set to On.
- Copy the link and share it.
The interface reminds you: "Share this link to give access to the site while it is in private mode (preview and collaboration)."
Private mode
The Private toggle, in the site header next to the Clear cache button, turns the protection on or off. The interface sums it up as: "Your site is only accessible to the public via the share URL below."
When private mode can't be turned off
Three cases where the toggle stays locked, with the corresponding message:
- site on the Dev plan — "Please subscribe to disable private mode";
- no custom domain — "Please connect a custom domain to disable private mode";
- branch other than live — "Only the live branch can be public."
With the Viewer role, the Private and On / Off toggles of the preview link can't be changed.
How long the link stays valid
The link stays valid indefinitely, as long as you don't disable it. The On / Off toggle next to Preview and collaboration link turns it off: anyone you had shared it with then loses access.
Good to know: this link also wakes up a paused site. Opening it triggers the restart automatically, with a loading screen.
What about search engines?
A site in private mode can't be indexed, because it isn't accessible. The preview link carries an access token: a search engine crawler that came across the site's address hits the same closed door as any other visitor. There's nothing to index.
⚠️ The protection goes away with private mode. Once a domain is connected and a subscription is active, the Private toggle unlocks: as soon as it's turned off, the site becomes public — and indexable. If the content isn't ready, leave Private on, or use WordPress's Search engine visibility setting.
Only share the preview link with the people concerned. Anyone who has it can see the site. The On / Off toggle revokes it for everyone at once.
👉 How do I connect my domain name? · How do I collect my client's feedback?
Updated on: 10/03/2026
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