=== Simpli Action Bar ===
Contributors: simpliplugin
Tags: call to action, email, countdown, analytics, notification bar
Requires at least: 6.8
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 8.2
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Create customizable action bars with email signup forms, countdown timers, device targeting and basic engagement tracking.

== Description ==

**Simpli Action Bar** is a customizable WordPress call-to-action and notification bar plugin designed to help website owners improve visitor engagement, promote important announcements, grow email subscriber lists, and encourage visitors to take action.

Whether you want to display promotional messages, highlight special offers, collect email subscribers, announce upcoming events, or create urgency with countdown timers, Simpli Action Bar provides flexible tools to create attractive, responsive action bars without requiring coding knowledge.

With customizable layouts, flexible display settings, email signup forms, countdown timers, device targeting, and built-in engagement tracking, you can create action bars that match your website's design and marketing goals.

= Customizable Call-to-Action Bars =

Create and manage multiple action bars directly from your WordPress dashboard. Customize the appearance and messaging of each bar to match your website's branding.

* Create custom call-to-action and notification bars.  
* Customize background colors, text colors, and messages.
* Choose from available action bar layouts and templates.
* Configure bar positioning and display settings.
* Create promotional announcements and marketing messages.
* Manage multiple action bars from the WordPress admin dashboard.

= Email Signup and Subscriber Management =

Grow your email audience by displaying subscription forms within your action bars. Collect subscriber information and manage email submissions directly from your WordPress dashboard.

* Display customizable email signup forms.
* Collect and store email subscriber information.
* View subscriber records from the admin dashboard.
* Configure optional automatic email replies.
* Hide action bars after successful signup using cookie-based settings.
* Connect supported email marketing services when configured.

Supported email marketing integrations include Mailchimp, Kit (formerly ConvertKit), and ActiveCampaign. These integrations require administrator configuration.

= Countdown Timers for Promotions and Events =

Create urgency and encourage visitor engagement with countdown timers. Use countdown-based action bars to highlight upcoming events, promotional campaigns, product launches, and time-sensitive announcements.

* Add countdown timers to supported action bar layouts.
* Display time-sensitive promotional messages.
* Customize countdown bar appearance and messaging.
* Use countdowns for announcements, events, and marketing campaigns.

= Flexible Display and Targeting Options =

Control how and where your action bars appear across your WordPress website.

* Select action bars for individual WordPress pages.
* Configure action bar positioning.
* Display different bars based on available templates and layouts.
* Limit visibility to desktop or mobile devices.
* Configure display delays.
* Use cookie-based hiding options after email signup.
* Customize the visitor experience with flexible display settings.

= Built-in Engagement Analytics =

Understand how visitors interact with your action bars using built-in engagement tracking.

* Track action bar impressions.
* Monitor visitor clicks.
* Count email form submissions.
* Review engagement statistics from the WordPress dashboard.
* Evaluate the performance of different promotional messages and calls to action.

Engagement data is tracked locally within your WordPress installation. Optional Google Analytics integration is available when configured by the administrator.

= Import, Export, and Data Management =

Manage supported plugin data using the available import and export functionality.

* Access subscriber records from the WordPress dashboard.
* Export or import supported plugin data.
* Manage action bar configurations and related information.
* Review collected subscriber information.

= Responsive and User-Friendly =

Simpli Action Bar is designed to provide a flexible experience across desktop and mobile devices. Its WordPress admin interface allows website administrators to create, customize, and manage action bars without manually editing theme files.

The plugin can be used for:

* Website announcements and important notices.
* Promotional campaigns and special offers.
* Email newsletter subscriptions.
* Countdown-based marketing campaigns.
* Product and service promotions.
* Event announcements and registration reminders.
* Call-to-action messages.
* Website engagement and conversion campaigns.

= Privacy and External Services =

When email signup is enabled, Simpli Action Bar stores submitted email addresses, submission dates, and visitor IP addresses in the WordPress site's database. Administrators can manage subscriber records through the Subscribers area.

Website administrators should disclose relevant data collection practices in their privacy policies and obtain consent where required.

The plugin supports optional integrations with third-party services. These services are used only when the website administrator has supplied the necessary configuration settings.

* **Mailchimp:** Sends submitted subscriber email addresses and configured list information to Mailchimp. [Service](https://mailchimp.com/) | [Privacy](https://www.intuit.com/privacy/statement/) | [Terms](https://mailchimp.com/legal/terms/).
* **Kit (formerly ConvertKit):** Sends subscriber email addresses and configured form or API information to Kit. [Service](https://kit.com/) | [Privacy](https://kit.com/privacy) | [Terms](https://kit.com/terms).
* **ActiveCampaign:** Sends subscriber email addresses and configured contact or list information to ActiveCampaign. [Service](https://www.activecampaign.com/) | [Privacy](https://www.activecampaign.com/legal/privacy-policy) | [Terms](https://www.activecampaign.com/legal/terms-of-service).
* **Google Analytics:** Loads Google's analytics JavaScript when a Google Analytics measurement ID is configured. Google may collect visitor information according to its own policies. [Service](https://analytics.google.com/) | [Privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) | [Terms](https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/terms/us/).

No third-party API credentials are preconfigured.

= Why Choose Simpli Action Bar? =

Simpli Action Bar combines customizable notification bars, email subscription forms, countdown timers, flexible display controls, and engagement analytics in one WordPress plugin.

Instead of relying on multiple separate tools for basic promotional messages and subscriber collection, website owners can manage supported action bar functionality directly from their WordPress dashboard.

Whether you run a business website, blog, online store, or marketing website, Simpli Action Bar helps you communicate important messages, engage visitors, and create opportunities for conversions.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the `simpli-action-bar` plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`, or install the plugin ZIP from Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
2. Activate Simpli Action Bar under Plugins.
3. Create an Action Bar under the Action Bars menu and adjust its display settings.
4. On a Page, choose a bar and template in the page's meta box.
5. Use the plugin's admin menus to manage subscribers, templates, analytics and export/import settings.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How do I create a bar? =

Create an Action Bar post, then select it from the Action Bar meta box while editing a page.

= Does this plugin send subscriber information to external services? =

Only if third-party service configuration options have been set up on the site. See the Privacy and external services section for details.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release.
