A WiFi splash page — also called a captive portal or login page — is the branded screen that customers see when they connect to a guest WiFi network, before they gain access to the internet. It typically displays a venue's logo and branding, offers a login method, and presents terms of use. Purple Connect is a free guest WiFi platform that gives any UK pub, bar, café, or restaurant a fully customisable branded splash page — turning what is usually a blank password box into a professional first digital impression, and the foundation for customer data capture through Connect+ or the Purple Engage tier.
If your pub's guest WiFi currently works by handing over a password — or writing it on a chalkboard — your customers' first digital interaction with your brand is a generic network name and a password prompt. There is no branding, no welcome, no opportunity to make an impression.
A splash page changes that. Here is what it is, why it matters, and how to set one up for free.
What Is a WiFi Splash Page?
A WiFi splash page is the webpage that automatically appears when a customer connects to your guest WiFi network — before they are granted access to the internet. It acts as a digital gateway between the customer's device and your internet connection.
At its most basic, a splash page can simply display your terms of use and a "connect" button. At its most effective — as with Purple Connect — it becomes a fully branded experience that:
- Displays your pub's logo, colours, and imagery
- Welcomes customers by name on return visits
- Offers multiple login options (social media, email form, or one-click)
- Presents GDPR-compliant terms of use and marketing consent (with Engage)
- Promotes current offers, events, or specials
- Supports 25+ languages for international guests
The technology that powers a splash page is called a captive portal — a system that intercepts WiFi traffic and redirects it to a specific page before internet access is granted. Professional guest WiFi platforms like Purple build and host this portal for you.
Why Does Your Pub Need a Splash Page?
First impressions happen digitally too
Your pub puts thought into its physical environment — the décor, the lighting, the welcome from the bar. The moment a customer opens their phone and connects to your WiFi, they have a digital first impression too. A branded splash page with your logo and a warm welcome message reinforces your identity and professionalism before they have finished their first drink.
It separates your guest network from your business network
A proper splash page is powered by a captive portal system — which means your guest WiFi is running as a completely separate, managed network. This separation is what keeps your tills, card machines, and business systems protected from guest devices. It is a security feature as much as a branding one, and it is included in Purple Connect free.
It is the gateway to customer data
Without a splash page, every customer who connects to your WiFi is anonymous. With one — and with Connect+ or Purple Engage active — every customer who logs in and opts in becomes a known contact in your marketing database. Their visit history, demographics, and preferences build up over time, feeding the automated campaigns that bring them back.
It keeps you legally compliant
A splash page is where your terms of use and privacy policy are presented to customers. It is the mechanism by which GDPR-compliant consent is obtained for data capture and marketing. Without a splash page, there is no compliant consent mechanism — meaning any customer data you hold has no legal basis.
Set up your free branded splash page with Purple Connect — join.purple.ai
What Should a Good Pub Splash Page Include?
Your branding: Logo, colours, and at minimum one image that reflects your venue. Customers should feel like they are connecting to your pub — not a generic third-party service.
A clear welcome message: Short, warm, and on-brand. "Welcome to The Red Lion — enjoy free WiFi on us" is better than a blank form.
Simple login options: The fewer steps, the higher the completion rate. Social media login (one tap), a short email form (name and email only), or one-click access are the three options that work best in a hospitality setting.
Your current offer or event: The splash page is a piece of prime digital real estate seen by every customer who connects. Use it to promote your Sunday roast, your upcoming quiz night, or your loyalty programme.
Terms of use and privacy policy: Required for legal compliance. Purple Connect includes customisable terms — with Engage, marketing consent is presented as a separate unticked checkbox.
How Purple Connect Makes This Free
Purple Connect is Purple's free guest WiFi platform. It includes a fully customisable branded splash page — your logo, your colours, your messaging — hosted and managed by Purple with no monthly fee.
The Purple Hub is the hardware that powers it. A compact plug-and-play device (15cm × 10cm) that supports up to 250 simultaneous users at a 200m range. Ethernet into your existing router, USB-C power connected, registration via the Purple app — most pubs are live in under an hour.
At the free Connect tier, the splash page is the experience. Customers get a great branded WiFi journey. You get professional infrastructure and network isolation. Customer data capture and marketing automation activate with the paid Connect+ or Purple Engage upgrade — on the same hardware, with no reinstallation needed.
Splash Page vs. Shared Password: A Direct Comparison
| Shared Password | Purple Connect Splash Page | |
|---|---|---|
| Branded experience | No | Yes — full logo and colour customisation |
| Network isolation | No | Yes — full VLAN separation |
| Legal terms presented | No | Yes — customisable terms of use |
| Customer data capture | No | Yes — with Engage upgrade |
| Return customer recognition | No | Yes — with Engage upgrade |
| GDPR-compliant consent | No | Yes — with Engage upgrade |
| Setup time | Immediate | Under 1 hour |
| Cost | Free | Free (Connect) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need technical knowledge to set up a splash page with Purple?
No. Purple Connect's splash page is set up through a simple dashboard — upload your logo, pick your colours, write your welcome message. There is no coding or networking knowledge required. Most pub owners complete their customisation in under 30 minutes.
Can I change the splash page after it is set up?
Yes. You can update your splash page at any time through your Purple dashboard — change the background image to promote a seasonal event, update your welcome message, or add a current offer. Changes go live immediately.
Can I show different splash pages at different times?
With Purple Engage, yes. Automated login journeys can be configured to show different content based on the time of day, day of week, or customer visit history — so a lunchtime regular sees something different from a first-time Saturday night visitor.
Is a splash page the same as a captive portal?
Yes — the terms are used interchangeably. A captive portal is the technical system; a splash page is the page the customer sees. Purple Connect provides both.
Will a splash page slow down my customers' connection?
No. The splash page appears once when a customer connects and is not seen again on the same device until their session expires. It adds no ongoing latency to their browsing experience.
Does the Purple splash page work on all devices?
Yes. Purple's captive portal is optimised for all major devices and operating systems — iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac — and supports 25+ languages automatically based on the device's language settings.
Your Pub Deserves Better Than a Chalkboard Password
A splash page is not a luxury — it is the foundation of a professional guest WiFi setup. It protects your business systems, gives customers a branded experience, and creates the legal and technical infrastructure for everything that comes next.
Purple Connect gives you all of this for free. Purple Engage builds the marketing engine on top of it.
Start free with Purple Connect and get your branded splash page live today — join.purple.ai