Client handoff tool for agencies: manage reviewer access, collect per-page feedback, and run a countdown page while the site is in progress.
SiteHandoff helps WordPress agencies and freelancers deliver sites to clients in a structured way. While the site is in progress, visitors see a courtesy page with an optional live countdown. Clients and collaborators get individual preview links and can leave per-page feedback directly on the site.
Key Features
- Reviewer management — Add clients or collaborators with individual passwords and share their preview link via copy, email, or WhatsApp.
- Per-page feedback widget — Reviewers and admins can leave comments on any page; feedback is grouped by URL in the admin panel.
- Dashboard overview — See site status, reviewer count, and open feedback at a glance.
- Configurable countdown — Set a launch date and time; the plugin displays a real-time countdown timer.
- Auto-disable — The plugin automatically deactivates itself when the countdown reaches zero.
- Two content modes — Use the WordPress classic editor or insert fully custom HTML.
- Countdown shortcode — Place
[sitehandoff_countdown] anywhere to embed the timer.
- Customizable colors — Choose background and accent colors with a built-in color picker.
- Gutenberg block — “Countdown Timer” block with date picker and redirect on completion.
- Translation ready — Includes a
.pot file with the sitehandoff text domain. Italian translation included.
How It Works
When the plugin is active, all unauthenticated visitors see the courtesy page. Administrators and anyone with a valid reviewer link can view the site normally and leave feedback using the floating widget.
Screenshots
Dashboard — Overview of site status, reviewer count, and open feedback.
Reviewers — Add reviewers and share preview links via email or WhatsApp.
Feedback — Per-page feedback grouped by URL with resolve/reopen actions.
Settings — Countdown configuration, content editor, and color picker.
Frontend — Courtesy page with active countdown and custom content.
Can I use custom HTML for the page?
Yes. In the settings, select the “Custom HTML” tab and enter the markup you prefer. You can include the [sitehandoff_countdown] shortcode in your code.
Does the plugin block administrators too?
No. Users with the manage_options capability (typically Administrators) see the site normally and are never redirected to the courtesy page.
How does a reviewer get access?
Add a reviewer from the Revisori page, then share their preview link. The link includes a unique password. After first use, reviewers can browse freely for 48 hours.
Does the plugin interfere with REST API or AJAX?
No. REST API, AJAX, and WP-Cron requests are automatically excluded from the block.
What happens when the countdown expires?
If you enabled the “Auto-disable” option, the plugin deactivates itself automatically when the date is reached. Otherwise, the courtesy page stays active until you manually disable it.
ChangeLog
1.2.1
- Fixed: added plugin owner username to Contributors in readme.txt.
- Fixed: converted inline script in settings page to wp_add_inline_script().
1.2.0
- Fixed: removed
custom_css field to prevent arbitrary CSS injection.
- Fixed: removed
unfiltered_html capability bypass; content is now always sanitized with wp_kses_post().
- Fixed: escaped output in
fullscreen-countdown.php using wp_kses_post().
- Fixed: renamed main class to
SiteHandoff_Plugin; all hooks, options, constants, and handles now use the sitehandoff_ prefix.
- Fixed: updated Gutenberg block
apiVersion from 2 to 3.
1.1.0
- Plugin renamed to SiteHandoff.
- Added reviewer management with individual access keys.
- Added per-page feedback widget visible to reviewers and admins.
- Added Dashboard overview page.
- Added email and WhatsApp sharing for reviewer preview links.
- Admin UI restructured into Dashboard, Revisori, Feedback, Impostazioni subpages.
1.0.0
- Initial release.
- Courtesy page with real-time countdown.
- Two content modes: classic editor and custom HTML.
[opening_soon_countdown] shortcode with configurable attributes.- Customizable colors (background and accent) with color picker.
- Additional CSS from settings.
- Auto-disable on countdown expiration.
- Password-protected preview link with 48-hour cookie.
- “Countdown Timer” Gutenberg block.
- Italian translation included.
