Shopify Announcement Bar: The Complete Setup Guide (2025)

Shopify Announcement Bar: The Tiny Strip That Drives Big Sales

It is often the smallest element on a Shopify store, yet it sits right at the very top of the page, demanding attention. We are talking about the announcement bar (sometimes called a notification bar, hello bar, or top bar).

When used correctly, an announcement bar shopify setup can be your most effective tool for communicating urgency, sharing promotions, and guiding customer behavior. It is the digital equivalent of a shop assistant greeting you at the door with "Hey, everything on this rack is 50% off today!"

Despite its importance, many merchants treat the announcement bar as an afterthought. They leave the default "Welcome to our store" text and forget about it. This is a massive missed opportunity.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about mastering the announcement bar on Shopify. From design best practices and copy ideas to technical setup and customization, you will learn how to turn those few pixels at the top of your site into a conversion machine.

What Can an Announcement Bar Do?

Before we dive into the "how," let's look at the "why." A strategic announcement bar can:

• Increase Average Order Value (AOV): "Free Shipping on Orders Over $75"
• Build Urgency: "Flash Sale Ends in 3 Hours!"
• Build Trust: "30-Day Money-Back Guarantee & Free Returns"
• Grow Your List: "Sign up for 10% off your first order"
• Make Global Announcements: "Shipping delays due to holidays"

How to Set Up a Basic Announcement Bar in Shopify

Most modern Shopify 2.0 themes (like Dawn, Sense, and Craft) come with a built-in announcement bar section. Here is how to configure it.

Step 1: Access the Theme Editor

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin.
2. Go to Online Store > Themes.
3. Click the Customize button next to your active theme.

Step 2: Locate the Announcement Bar Section

In the left-hand sidebar, look at the very top. You should see a section labeled "Header." Inside or above that, there is usually an "Announcement Bar" section. If you don't see it, look for "Add Section" and search for it.

Step 3: Configure the Content

Click on the announcement bar to open its settings. You typically have options to:

• Change the text: Keep it short and punchy.
• Add a link: Direct users to a specific collection or product page.
• Change the background color: Use a contrasting color to your header so it stands out.

The Limitation of Default Themes

While the default options are fine for beginners, they are often very limited. Most free themes only allow:

• One single static message.
• No scrolling or multiple messages.
• No countdown timers.
• Basic styling (text and background color only).
• No ability to target specific devices (mobile vs. desktop).

If you want to run a "Free Shipping" message and a "Sale" message simultaneously, or if you want a marquee scrolling effect, the default theme won't cut it. You will need a more advanced solution.

Advanced Customization: Beyond the Basics

To get a truly high-converting announcement bar shopify experience, you have three options: edit the code, use an app, or use a premium section.

Option 1: Edit the Liquid Code (For Developers)

If you are comfortable with HTML/CSS and Liquid, you can customize your announcement-bar.liquid file. You can add CSS animations to create a scrolling ticker or JavaScript to rotate through multiple messages.

Warning: Editing theme code can break your site if done incorrectly. Always duplicate your theme before making changes.

Option 2: Use a Monthly Subscription App

There are dozens of apps on the Shopify App Store like "Hextom" or "Quick Announcement Bar."

Pros: Easy to set up, lots of features. Cons: Monthly fees (usually $5-$10/month), can slow down your site speed with extra JavaScript, and you don't own the code.

Option 3: Use a Premium Section (The Best Value)

This is the sweet spot for most merchants. You can buy a standalone "Section" that plugs into your theme just like a native feature.

At Section Store, our Announcement Bar sections give you premium features like scrolling marquees, multiple message sliders, and countdown timers for a one-time fee of $9. No monthly apps, no code bloat.

5 High-Converting Announcement Bar Strategies

Once you have the technical setup ready, what should you actually write? Here are five proven strategies.

1. The "Free Shipping Threshold" Nudge

This is the #1 use case. If your free shipping starts at $50, tell people.

Copy Idea: "Free Shipping on All Orders Over $50 🚚"

Pro Tip: Ideally, use a dynamic bar that calculates the remaining amount (e.g., "You are $15 away from Free Shipping!"). This usually requires a specific app or advanced coding.

2. The "Scarcity" Timer

During Black Friday or a flash sale, a static text isn't enough. A countdown timer creates a visceral fear of missing out (FOMO).

Copy Idea: "Flash Sale: 30% Off Everything. Ends in"

3. The "Trust" Badge

If you aren't running a sale, use this space to alleviate purchase anxiety.

Copy Idea: "30-Day Returns | 2-Year Warranty | 24/7 Support"

4. The "New Drop" Hype

Launching a new product? Drive all traffic to that specific product page immediately.

Copy Idea: "The Summer Collection is Here. Shop Now 👉"

5. The Scrolling Marquee

Why choose one message when you can have them all? A scrolling marquee (like a stock ticker) creates movement that catches the eye.

Example: "Free Shipping Over $50 • New Arrivals Just Landed • Shop Now Pay Later with Klarna"

Design Best Practices: How to Make It Pop

Contrast is King

Your announcement bar should look distinct from your main navigation menu. If your header is white, make the announcement bar black, dark blue, or a bright accent color like red or orange. The goal is to disrupt the user's scanning pattern.

Keep It Short

On mobile, screen space is precious. Long sentences will wrap onto two or three lines, pushing your actual content down the page. Bad: "We are currently offering free shipping to all customers who purchase over $50 worth of goods in our store today." Good: "Free Shipping on Orders $50+"

Don't Block the Navigation

Some apps create "sticky" bars that follow the user down the page. While effective for visibility, ensure it doesn't cover your "Cart" or "Menu" buttons on mobile. Test strictly on an actual phone, not just the desktop browser inspector.

How to Add Multiple Messages (Without Apps)

If you are stuck with a basic theme, you might feel limited to one message. However, there is a way to display multiple selling points without a slider: The Separator Technique.

Simply type all your points into the single text field, separated by a symbol.

Example text field input: Free Shipping $50+ | 30-Day Returns | Code: WELCOME10

This works, but it's static. If you want them to slide or fade automatically, you will need a custom section.

Want a professional slider without the monthly fee? Check out all 6 of our announcement bars. It lets you add unlimited messages, control the slide speed, and even add icons—all from the Shopify theme editor.

Troubleshooting Common Announcement Bar Issues

Issue 1: The bar disappears on mobile

Some themes hide the announcement bar on mobile to save space. Check your theme settings for a checkbox like "Show on mobile." If it's not there, you may need a CSS fix.

Issue 2: The text is too small

This is a common accessibility issue. Ensure your font size is at least 12px-14px. If your theme doesn't have a font size slider for this section, you might need to add custom CSS: .announcement-bar__message { font-size: 14px; }

Issue 3: The close button is annoying users

Some bars have an "X" to close them. While good for user control, if the bar reappears on every single page load after they closed it, it becomes spammy. Ensure your solution uses "cookies" or "local storage" to remember if a user closed the bar.

Conclusion: Small Bar, Big Impact

The announcement bar shopify feature is one of the lowest-effort, highest-reward elements on your site. It requires zero design skills and minimal setup time, yet it ensures every visitor sees your most critical offer.

Your Action Plan:

1. Audit your current bar: Is it generic? Does it have a link?
2. Define your goal: Do you want more sales (promo code), higher AOV (free shipping threshold), or trust (warranty info)?
3. Upgrade if needed: If your theme's default bar is boring or static, replace it.

Don't let your best offers go unnoticed. Grab a premium Announcement Bar section from Section Store today. For the price of a lunch, you get a customizable, mobile-responsive, and animation-ready bar that you own forever.

Thinking about a page builder? Read our guide comparing the best Shopify page builders for 2025.