Get Instant Attention? Add Announcement Bar to Sitecore

An announcement bar is a valuable feature that enables you to display important messages, promotions, or alerts prominently on your Sitecore website. Whether it’s a seasonal offer, an upcoming event, or a critical update, an announcement bar ensures your audience gets the message without disrupting their browsing experience.

Sitecore, known for its flexibility and scalability, allows you to add and customize announcement bars through widgets, components, or custom code. This guide outlines step-by-step instructions for adding an announcement bar to your Sitecore site.

Types of Announcement Bars

Here are some common types of announcement bars you can create in Sitecore:

Promotional Bars

• Highlight discounts or sales to drive conversions.
• Example: “Save 20% sitewide—Use Code: SAVE20.”

Urgency Bars

• Encourage immediate action with time-sensitive offers.
• Example: “Flash Sale ends in 2 hours—Shop Now!”

Event Notifications

• Announce webinars, product launches, or special events.
• Example: “Join us for a live webinar on January 20th—Register here!”

Shipping Updates

• Inform users about free shipping or delivery thresholds.
• Example: “Free shipping on orders over $50!”

Policy Updates

• Share critical business updates like policy changes or service hours.
• Example: “We’re now offering same-day delivery in select cities.”

Add Announcement Bar to Sitecore

Adding an announcement bar to your Sitecore 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 Sitecore 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 Sitecore

1. Log in to your WiserNotify dashboard. Start with the free plan to explore the platform’s features.
2. Add your Sitecore site, and copy the unique pixel code provided.
3. Log in to your Sitecore admin panel.
4. Navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for “WiserNotify.”
5. Install and activate the plugin.
6. Paste the copied pixel code into the WiserNotify plugin settings.

Using WiserNotify, you can easily create and manage announcement bars on your Sitecore website. This ensures that your key messages reach your audience effectively and drive the desired actions.

How to Add an Announcement Bar to Sitecore Other Ways

1. Create a Content Item for the Announcement Bar
   • Navigate to the Content Editor and create a new content item under the appropriate folder (e.g., Promotions).
2. Add Fields to the Item
   • Add fields for the announcement message, link, and background color.
3. Design a Template for the Announcement Bar
   • Create a data template with fields for the content item:
     • Message Text
     • Link URL
     • Background Color
4. Bind the Content to a Rendering
   • Use a rendering component to fetch and display the content from the newly created item.
5. Set Conditions and Targeting
   • Use personalization rules to show the bar only to specific audiences or on certain pages.
6. Save and Preview
   • Test the announcement bar on your live website.

Best Places to Display an Announcement Bar

Homepage Header

• Ensure maximum visibility for promotions or updates.

Product or Category Pages

• Highlight relevant offers or shipping policies.

Cart and Checkout Pages

• Reinforce urgency to reduce cart abandonment.

Landing Pages

• Use announcement bars for campaign-specific messaging.

Mobile Views

• Optimize the bar for responsiveness and usability on mobile devices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keep the announcement concise and focused on a single message.
• Ensure the bar’s styling aligns with your site’s branding.
• Test the bar on all devices to ensure compatibility.
• Regularly update or remove expired messages to maintain credibility.
• Include a clear call-to-action to guide users to the next step.

Conclusion

Adding an announcement bar to your Sitecore website is an excellent way to communicate key messages effectively. Whether using rendering components, content items, or custom code, Sitecore offers flexible options to implement and customize announcement bars.

Follow the steps outlined in this guide to create a visually appealing and functional announcement bar that aligns with your brand and marketing goals. Start enhancing user engagement and driving conversions today!