An announcement bar is an effective way to share key messages, promotions, or updates prominently on your Ghost website. Whether you’re announcing a sale, promoting new content, or sharing time-sensitive alerts, an announcement bar ensures that your message gets noticed without disrupting the browsing experience.
While Ghost doesn’t have a built-in announcement bar feature, you can add one using custom code or integrations. This guide will show you how to add an announcement bar to Ghost and optimize it for maximum impact.
Types of Announcement Bars
Ghost supports announcement bars tailored to different needs through its flexible customization options:
Promotional Bars
- Highlight discounts or offers to boost conversions.
- Example: “Subscribe today and get 20% off your first month!”
Urgency Bars
- Encourage quick action with countdowns or time-sensitive offers.
- Example: “Flash Sale ends in 2 hours—Don’t miss out!”
Content Highlights
- Promote new blog posts, videos, or resources.
- Example: “Check out our latest post: 10 Tips for SEO Success.”
Subscription Prompts
- Drive newsletter or membership signups.
- Example: “Join our newsletter and get exclusive updates!”
Policy Updates
- Share important updates like new terms or schedules.
- Example: “Our Privacy Policy has been updated—Learn more.”
Add Announcement Bar to Ghost
Adding an announcement bar to your Ghost website is incredibly easy and requires no coding knowledge. Many platforms offer plugins and tools with simple drag-and-drop interfaces to create and customize announcement bars effortlessly. Create Announcement Bars the Easy Way with WiserNotify.
Using WiserNotify, you can quickly add an announcement bar to your Ghost website to grab visitors’ attention and share essential updates, promotions, or calls to action.
With advanced features like A/B testing and analytics, WiserNotify allows you to create visually engaging and highly targeted announcement bars that boost user engagement and drive conversions. Key features include:
Type of Widgets:
- Anncoment Bar Widgets
- Recent Activity Notifications
- Reviews and Ratings Widgets
- Countdown Timer Widgets
- Form Submission Notifications
- Inline Widgets
- Exit-Intent Pop-Ups
- Live Visitor Count Widgets
Customizable Design
- Adjust colors, fonts, and styles to align with your brand.
Real-Time Updates
- Automatically display live or dynamic data like visitor counts or recent
activities.
Targeted Messaging
- Personalize bars for specific audiences or user segments.
Urgency and Scarcity Elements
- Include countdown timers or stock alerts to drive quick action.
A/B Testing
- Experiment with different designs and messages to optimize performance.
Multi-Language Support
- Customize announcement bars in various languages for global reach.
Behavioral Triggers
- Show bars based on user behavior like exit intent or time spent on a page.
Compliance-Friendly
- Includes options for GDPR and cookie consent notifications.
Integration with Social Proof Widgets
- Combine with social proof notifications to amplify trust and engagement.
Adding an announcement bar to your site with WiserNotify is seamless. Sign up for a free plan to explore its features, then log in to your dashboard. Add your site to generate a unique pixel code for integration.
To add an announcement bar to your website, create a widget in WiserNotify. Follow these straightforward steps.
1. Create an Announcement Bar
- Log in to the WiserNotify dashboard.
- Navigate to the Create Notification section and select the Announcement Bar template.
- Customize the design by:
- Adding a compelling message such as “Exclusive Discount! Limited Time Only.”
- Choosing the appropriate font, colors, and background to align with your branding.
- Including a clear Call-to-Action (CTA) button like “Shop Now” or “Learn More.”
- Preview the design to ensure it matches your preferences.
- Save the widget design and press Next.
2. Set Display Rules
- Configure display settings, such as showing the bar on specific pages or targeting users based on location or behavior.
- Schedule the announcement bar for a particular timeframe if needed.
Here’s a real-life example of how an announcement bar will look on a website.
3. Preview and Activate
Steps to Install WiserNotify on Ghost
- Log in to your WiserNotify dashboard. Start with the free plan to explore the platform’s features.
- Add your Ghost site, and copy the unique pixel code provided.
- Log in to your Ghost admin panel.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for “WiserNotify.”
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Paste the copied pixel code into the WiserNotify plugin settings.
Using WiserNotify, you can easily create and manage announcement bars on your Ghost website. This ensures that your key messages reach your audience effectively and drive the desired actions.
How to Add an Announcement Bar to Ghost Other Ways
Tools like Hello Bar or Sleeknote can provide more advanced announcement bar functionality.
- Sign Up for a Third-Party Tool
- Create an account with a tool like Hello Bar or Sleeknote.
- Design Your Bar
- Use the tool’s editor to customize your announcement bar.
- Embed the Code in Ghost
- Copy the embed code provided by the tool and paste it into Settings > Code Injection > Site Header.
- Save and Test
- Save your changes and test the bar on your live site.
Best Places to Display an Announcement Bar
Homepage
- Showcase sitewide promotions or updates for maximum visibility.
Post Pages
- Highlight content-related announcements on individual blog posts.
Signup Pages
- Use the bar to drive newsletter or membership signups.
Mobile Views
- Ensure the bar is responsive and optimized for smaller screens.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Keep the message short and focused to avoid overwhelming visitors.
- Ensure the bar aligns with your site’s branding and colors.
- Test the bar on different devices for responsiveness.
- Regularly update the bar to keep it relevant.
- Include a strong call-to-action to guide visitors.
Conclusion
Adding an announcement bar to your Ghost website is a great way to communicate important updates and promotions effectively. Whether you use custom code, Ghost’s code injection feature, or a third-party integration, the process is simple and flexible.
Follow the steps outlined in this guide to create a visually appealing and functional announcement bar, and watch how it enhances your website’s engagement and conversions. Get started today!
