How to add an announcement bar to your Squarespace

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An announcement bar is a versatile feature in Squarespace that allows you to display important messages, promotions, or updates prominently at the top of your website.

This thin bar spans the full width of the page and can significantly enhance user engagement by drawing attention to key information.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to add and customize an announcement bar in Squarespace, ensuring your visitors are always informed about your latest news or offers.

Quick Fix

How to Add an Announcement Bar to Your Squarespace Website:

1. Log into your Squarespace account and navigate to Marketing > Announcement Bar.
2. Enable the announcement bar and enter your message in the text field.
3. Add a clickthrough URL to make the announcement bar clickable.
4. Save your changes and customize the bar's appearance in the Site Styles panel.
5. Preview your site to test the announcement bar and its link.

Why Use an Announcement Bar?

1. Promote Offers: Highlight special promotions, sales, or discounts to encourage visitors to take action.

2. Share Updates: Inform your audience about important changes, such as new store hours, product launches, or events.

3. Increase Engagement: A well-placed announcement can guide users to specific pages or actions, improving overall site interaction.

Steps to Add an Announcement Bar in Squarespace

Step 1: Log into Your Squarespace Account

1. Access Your Dashboard: Go to squarespace.com and log in to your account.

2. Select Your Site: Choose the website where you want to add the announcement bar.

Step 2: Navigate to the Announcement Bar Settings

1. Go to Marketing: In the left sidebar of your Squarespace dashboard, click on Marketing.

2. Select Announcement Bar: From the Marketing menu, click on Announcement Bar. This will take you to the settings for the announcement bar.

Step 3: Enable the Announcement Bar

1. Toggle the Announcement Bar: In the Announcement Bar settings, find the option that says Enable Announcement Bar. Click the dropdown menu and select Enable.

2. Enter Your Announcement Text: In the text field provided, type the message you want to display in the announcement bar. This could be a promotional offer, important news, or a call to action.

Step 4: Add a Clickthrough URL

1. Link the Announcement Bar: To make the entire announcement bar clickable, enter a URL in the Clickthrough URL field. This could link to a specific page on your site, an external website, or a file.

2. Format Your Text: You can format the text to make parts of it bold or italicized. Highlight the text you want to format and use the options provided.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

Click Save: After entering your announcement text and URL, click the Save button to apply your changes. The announcement bar will now be visible on your website.

Step 6: Style Your Announcement Bar

1. Access Site Styles: Click on the paintbrush icon in the top right corner of your dashboard to open the Site Styles panel.

2. Customize Colors and Fonts:

   • Change Background Color: Navigate to the Colors section and select the color theme you want for your announcement bar. Adjust the background color to ensure it stands out.

   • Edit Font Styles: In the Fonts section, you can customize the font style used in the announcement bar. Choose a font that aligns with your branding.

Step 7: Preview and Test

1. Preview Your Site: Use the preview feature to see how the announcement bar looks on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).

2. Test the Link: Click on the announcement bar to ensure the link directs users to the correct page or resource.

Best Practices for Using an Announcement Bar

• Keep It Concise: Use clear and concise language to convey your message effectively. Avoid cluttering the announcement bar with too much text.

• Highlight Important Information: Use the announcement bar for time-sensitive information, promotions, or updates that require immediate attention.

• Use Eye-Catching Colors: Choose colors that contrast well with your website’s design to ensure the announcement bar stands out.

• Regularly Update: Change the content of your announcement bar regularly to keep it fresh and relevant. Remove outdated information promptly.

Conclusion

Adding an announcement bar to your Squarespace website is a simple yet effective way to communicate important messages to your visitors.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up and customize an announcement bar that enhances user engagement and keeps your audience informed. Whether you’re promoting a sale, sharing news, or directing traffic to specific pages, an announcement bar can significantly improve your website’s functionality.