How to Add a Waitlist to My App
Add a waitlist by creating a simple email collection form on your landing page, storing signups in a database or email service, and sending invite emails when you are ready to grant access. You can build this in under an hour with tools like Supabase for storage and Resend or Loops for email delivery.
Why this matters
A waitlist creates anticipation and lets you control your growth. It collects interested users before you are ready to serve them, gives you a built-in audience for launch day, and helps you gauge demand before investing more time.
What's at stake
Without a waitlist, interested visitors who find your app before it is ready will leave and probably never come back. A waitlist captures that interest and gives you a direct line to them when you launch.
Step by step.
Create a simple waitlist landing page
Build a page with a clear headline explaining what your app does, a brief value proposition, and an email signup form. Keep it simple — one input field (email) and one button (Join Waitlist).
Set up email collection
Store collected emails in a Supabase table, Airtable, or an email service like Loops, Resend, or Mailchimp. If using Supabase, create a "waitlist" table with email and signup_date columns.
Add a confirmation response
After signup, show a confirmation message ("You are on the list! We'll email you when it's your turn.") and optionally send a confirmation email. This builds trust and confirms the signup worked.
Add position or referral features (optional)
Show users their position on the waitlist to create urgency. Add a referral mechanism — "Move up the list by sharing with friends" — to drive organic growth. Tools like Waitlist.me or custom Supabase logic can handle this.
Send invites in batches
When ready, invite waitlist users in small batches. This lets you manage load and fix issues before inviting everyone. Batch invites also create a sense of exclusivity that drives engagement.
Capture demand before you launch
- Built-in waitlist management for pre-launch builders
- Automated invite emails when you are ready to onboard
- Waitlist analytics showing signup trends and referral sources
Frequently asked questions.
If your app is ready for users, just launch. A waitlist is for when you need more time to build but want to start collecting interested users now. It is also useful for validating demand — if nobody signs up, you may want to reconsider your approach.
At minimum: a headline, one sentence about what your app does, an email form, and a submit button. Optionally: a screenshot or preview, social proof (number of signups), and a brief FAQ.
Send periodic updates about your progress. Share behind-the-scenes content, feature previews, or development milestones. This keeps your app top of mind and makes users more likely to activate when invited.
Supabase (free tier) for email storage + Resend or Loops for transactional emails. For a no-code approach, use Tally or Typeform for the form and Zapier to connect to your email service. For dedicated waitlist features, try LaunchList or Waitlist.me.