An announcement bar is an essential feature for Shopify store owners looking to share promotions, updates, or urgent messages with customers. Placed at the top of your website, it ensures your message grabs attention without disrupting the shopping experience. Shopify makes it easy to add an announcement bar using built-in settings, third-party apps, or custom code.
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough to help you add and customize an announcement bar for your Shopify store.
Types of Announcement Bars
Here are some common use cases for announcement bars on Shopify stores:
Promotional Bars
- Highlight discounts or special deals.
- Example: “Get 20% off sitewide—Use Code: SAVE20.”
Urgency Bars
- Create urgency for limited-time offers.
- Example: “Hurry! Flash Sale Ends in 2 Hours!”
Shipping Offers
- Inform customers about free shipping or delivery thresholds.
- Example: “Free Shipping on Orders Over $50!”
Event Announcements
- Promote webinars, product launches, or holiday sales.
- Example: “Black Friday Sale Starts November 24th!”
Policy Updates
- Share changes to terms or refund policies.
- Example: “Our return policy has been updated—Learn more.”
Add Announcement Bar to Shopify
Adding an announcement bar to your Shopify 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 Shopify 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
- Preview the announcement bar to ensure it looks and functions correctly.
- Publish the bar to make it live on your website.
Steps to Install WiserNotify on Shopify
- Log in to your WiserNotify dashboard. Start with the free plan to explore the platform’s features.
- Add your Shopify site, and copy the unique pixel code provided.
- Log in to your Shopify 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 Shopify website. This ensures that your key messages reach your audience effectively and drive the desired actions.
How to Add an Announcement Bar to Shopify Other Ways
- Log in to Your Shopify Admin Panel
- Go to your Shopify dashboard and select the store you want to edit.
- Access the Theme Editor
- Navigate to Online Store > Themes > Customize.
- Enable the Announcement Bar
- In the theme editor, locate the Header Section settings.
- Enable the announcement bar feature if available.
- Customize the Announcement
- Add your message, such as:
- “Free Shipping on Orders Over $50!”
- Adjust text alignment, font size, and background color to match your branding.
- Add your message, such as:
- Save and Publish
- Save your changes and preview the store to confirm the bar is visible.
Best Practices for Announcement Bars
Position at the Top
- Ensure the bar is visible immediately when customers land on your site.
Use High-Contrast Colors
- Make the bar stand out without clashing with your branding.
Include a Clear CTA
- Add a link or button to guide users toward the next step.
Optimize for Mobile Devices
- Test the bar on various screen sizes to ensure responsiveness.
Keep the Message Concise
- Focus on a single key message to avoid clutter.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Keep the announcement short and easy to read.
- Ensure the bar displays properly on smartphones and tablets.
- Regularly update or remove expired announcements.
- Include actionable links or buttons to engage users.
- Ensure the announcement bar matches your store’s overall theme.
Conclusion
Adding an announcement bar to your Shopify store is a simple yet powerful way to engage customers and communicate key messages. Whether you use Shopify’s built-in tools, custom code, or a third-party app, you can create an effective and visually appealing announcement bar tailored to your needs.
Follow this guide to enhance your store’s user experience and boost conversions today!