Announcement Bar Setup

This guide walks you through creating a new announcement bar, from selecting a template to saving your configuration.

Getting Started

To create a new announcement bar:

1. Navigate to Announcement Bar in the SalesPulse app
2. Click the Create Announcement Bar button

This opens the Announcement Bar Editor where you can configure all settings.

Basic Settings

Before diving into specific features, configure these basic settings at the top of the editor:

Bar Name

Give your announcement bar a descriptive name to easily identify it in your bar list.

• Required field
• Example: “Summer Sale Banner”, “Free Shipping Notice”, “Holiday Promotion”

Active Status

Toggle to enable or disable this announcement bar:

• Checked (Active): The bar will display on your store (if the feature is activated)
• Unchecked (Inactive): The bar will not display, but settings are saved

Priority

Set the display priority when multiple bars are active:

• Higher priority bars appear first
• Default value is 1
• Use numbers like 1, 2, 3 to set order

Live Preview

The editor includes a live preview panel that shows how your bar will look:

Preview Features

• Real-time updates: Changes appear instantly in the preview
• Desktop/Mobile toggle: Switch between device views
• Position indicator: Shows “Top” or “Bottom” placement
• Interactive elements: Test close button and CTA behavior

Preview Controls

Template Library

The Template Library provides pre-designed templates to get started quickly.

Using Templates

1. Click the Template Library tab
2. Browse available templates
3. Use the Filter by Category dropdown to narrow options:
   • All
   • General
   • Promotional
   • Informational
   • Announcement
   • Seasonal
4. Click Apply Template on your chosen design

Available Templates

After Applying a Template

When you apply a template:

• Colors, fonts, and styles are automatically configured
• Default message text is added
• You can customize any setting after applying

Editor Tabs Overview

The editor is organized into tabs for different settings:

Saving Your Announcement Bar

After configuring your settings:

1. Review the live preview to confirm the appearance
2. Click the Save button in the top-right corner
3. If there are validation errors, fix them before saving

Validation Requirements

The editor validates:

• Bar Name: Required field
• Message Text: At least one message is required
• Countdown Timer: End date/time required if enabled
• Coupon Code: Code is required if enabled
• Scheduling: Valid date range if enabled

Managing Existing Bars

After creating bars, you can manage them from the main list:

Quick Actions

• Edit: Click a bar to open the editor
• Duplicate: Create a copy with the same settings
• Delete: Remove the bar permanently
• Toggle Active: Enable or disable without editing

Priority Order

Bars are displayed based on priority:

1. Higher priority numbers appear first
2. If priorities are equal, the most recently created bar appears first
3. Only the highest priority active bar displays at a time

Tips for Effective Announcement Bars

Message Best Practices

• Keep messages short and scannable
• Focus on one key message per bar
• Include a clear call-to-action
• Use action-oriented language

Design Tips

• Match your store’s brand colors
• Ensure sufficient contrast for readability
• Test on both desktop and mobile
• Avoid overwhelming visitors with too many elements

Timing Strategies

• Use countdown timers for flash sales
• Schedule bars to align with marketing campaigns
• Consider time zone differences for global audiences