=== Notification Bar & Announcement Bar - TopBuddy ===
Tags: notification bar, announcement bar, sticky bar, top bar, promo bar
Requires at least: 5.5
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.0.7
Contributors: irina1511
License: GPLv3
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html

Create a WordPress notification bar or announcement bar with a visual builder. Add sticky top bars, promo messages and page targeting.

== Description ==

[TopBuddy](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) is a WordPress notification bar plugin for putting a message where visitors can see it. Announce a sale, share a service update or link to a signup page with an announcement bar at the top or bottom of your website. Build it visually and check the live preview before publishing.

> <strong>TopBuddy Pro</strong><br />
> Add coupon codes, countdown timers, rotating messages, scheduled campaigns and multiple active bars with TopBuddy Pro. [See the Pro features](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing).

= Build a WordPress announcement bar with live preview =

Put your message together in the visual builder, then drag components to change their order. The free components include a title, a message, icons, images and call-to-action buttons. Edit the text and styling while the preview shows your changes.

Start from the notification bar templates when you have a promotion to publish or a site update to announce. The library includes announcement bars and sale banner designs, with seasonal templates for Christmas. Replace the sample content with your own message, then adjust colors and spacing to fit your site. Titles and messages support emoji.

= Keep a sticky bar at the top or bottom of your site =

Keep an offer visible while visitors scroll by enabling a sticky bar. Choose a top bar above your page content or a bottom bar at the foot of the screen. Both positions can carry a message and a button linking to the next step.

A floating bar can direct visitors to a booking page or a download. Use a call-to-action bar to keep that link in view, or leave the bar in the page flow when visitors only need to see it near the start of the page. You choose the text, button style and hover colors.

= Show a targeted notification bar on the right pages =

Keep messages relevant by choosing where your notification bar appears. Publish a sitewide announcement or select specific posts and pages. You can also target custom post types and taxonomy archives. A page-specific announcement bar can explain a service update on the pages affected by it.

Choose the audience by login status or user role. For example, show a welcome message to visitors who are logged out, or a member update to selected roles. These page and user targeting controls are included in the free plugin.

Create a mobile notification bar using device visibility settings and an adjustable breakpoint. Show it on mobile screens, desktop screens or both. Preview the layout at different screen sizes before activating it.

= Give visitors control over a dismissible notification bar =

Let visitors close an announcement after they have read it. Enable the close button and set how many days should pass before the bar appears again. TopBuddy remembers dismissal in that browser using local storage. You can also disable the close button when the message needs to stay visible.

= Use a promo bar for sales and site updates =

Help shoppers find an offer with a promo bar that links to your sale page. A free shipping bar can display your shipping offer as a text message, while a website banner can announce a product launch or a change in opening hours.

For service businesses, link to appointments or event registration. For blogs and membership sites, point visitors to a new article or a signup page. Each bar uses your own content and destination URL.

= Free notification bars and TopBuddy Pro =

The free WordPress announcement bar builder includes the template library, styling controls and page targeting. You can create and manage multiple designs in the dashboard, with one notification bar active at a time.

TopBuddy Pro adds more options for promotional campaigns. Share a discount code with a coupon bar that visitors can copy, or show an offer deadline in a countdown bar. Countdown timers support a fixed date or a repeating interval, with editable time labels and an optional completion message. Rotating text lets several messages share the same space.

Run a scheduled announcement bar during a date range or on selected days of the week. Pro also supports a delay before the bar appears and multiple active bars. Add background images or gradients, and use attention effects on buttons.

For content from other tools, Pro includes Elementor template, HTML and shortcode components. Additional display rules can check a referrer URL, query parameters, page views, time on site or a cookie value. Role-based plugin access lets you choose which WordPress roles can manage TopBuddy.

= Full TopBuddy feature list =

Free features:

* [Visual builder](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Arrange your notification bar components by dragging them into order.
* [Live preview](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Check text and styling changes before publishing your message.
* [Notification bar templates](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Start with announcement, sale and seasonal designs from the library.
* [Top bar and bottom bar](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Place your announcement above or below the page content.
* [Sticky bar](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Keep a message and its link visible as visitors scroll.
* [Title and message components](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Write your own content and include emoji where appropriate.
* [Call-to-action buttons](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Send visitors to any URL using button or text-link styles.
* [Icon component](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Choose an icon and set its size, color and optional link.
* [Image component](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Add an image from your media library and adjust its size.
* [Color controls](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Match the background and component colors to your site.
* [Spacing and alignment](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Adjust padding, content width and alignment to suit the layout.
* [Font sizes](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Select text sizes for your title, message and button.
* [Page targeting](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Choose specific pages, posts, post types or taxonomy archives.
* [User targeting](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Choose login status and roles for the audience you want to reach.
* [Device visibility](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Choose mobile or desktop visibility with an adjustable screen breakpoint.
* [Dismissal controls](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) - Enable a close button and decide when the bar should reappear.

Pro features, available separately with TopBuddy Pro:

* [Coupon codes (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Let visitors copy a promotional code from your coupon bar.
* [Countdown timers (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Display fixed-date or repeating timers with editable labels and completion text.
* [Rotating messages (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Share several text messages within one announcement bar.
* [Scheduling (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Show a campaign during a date range or selected weekdays.
* [Multiple active bars (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Activate more than one notification bar for your campaigns.
* [Background styling (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Add a background image or gradient to your design.
* [Elementor templates (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Display a saved Elementor template inside your notification bar.
* [HTML and shortcodes (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Include custom HTML or content supplied by a shortcode.
* [Display delay and button effects (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Delay the bar's appearance or add an attention effect to buttons.
* [Additional targeting and plugin access (Pro)](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin#pricing) - Use visitor rules and choose which roles can manage TopBuddy.

= About TopBuddy =

The product name is TopBuddy, written as one word. If you arrived here searching for Top Buddy, this is the same notification bar builder.

Visit the [TopBuddy website](https://wptopbuddy.com/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin) for the Free and Pro comparison. For help, use the [WordPress.org support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/topbuddy/).

= Comparing notification bar tools =

If you are comparing Hello Bar, OptinMonster, Wisepops or WPFront Notification Bar, check the features your campaign needs. TopBuddy focuses on notification bars created and managed in your WordPress dashboard. Its free version includes a visual builder with page and user targeting; Pro adds the campaign features described above.

== Installation ==

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for TopBuddy, then install and activate the plugin.
3. Open Settings > TopBuddy and create a notification bar.
4. Choose a template or add your own components, then configure styling and display rules.
5. Save the bar and activate it from the TopBuddy dashboard.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How do I create a notification bar? =

Open Settings > TopBuddy in your WordPress dashboard. Create a bar from a template or start with your own design. Add components, edit the message and choose your display rules. Save the bar and activate it from the dashboard when it is ready to appear on your site.

= Can I show an announcement bar only on specific pages? =

Yes. The free plugin supports specific posts and pages, custom post types and taxonomy archives. You can also choose visitors by login status or user role.

= Can I make the bar sticky? =

Yes. Enable the sticky setting to keep your top bar or bottom bar visible while visitors scroll. TopBuddy applies this setting to its own notification bars.

= Can I show the bar only on mobile or desktop? =

Yes. Choose mobile, desktop or both in the device visibility settings. Set the breakpoint to control which screen widths use each setting, then check the responsive preview.

= How many notification bars can I activate? =

You can create and manage multiple bar designs in the free plugin, with one active bar at a time. TopBuddy Pro supports multiple active bars.

= Are coupon codes, countdown timers and scheduling free? =

These are Pro features. The free version includes text, icons, images and buttons, plus the template library and page targeting. Install TopBuddy Pro to use coupon codes, countdown timers, rotating messages and scheduling.

= How does TopBuddy remember a dismissed bar? =

TopBuddy stores the dismissal time in the visitor's browser using local storage. The bar can reappear after the number of days you set. Clearing browser storage, using another browser or visiting on another device can make the bar appear again.

= Does TopBuddy work with my theme or page builder? =

TopBuddy renders its own notification bar, so you build the bar in the TopBuddy editor. Preview it with your theme and check the published layout, particularly if your site has a fixed header. TopBuddy Pro also includes a component for embedding saved Elementor templates.

= Is TopBuddy translation ready? =

Yes. The plugin's interface uses the topbuddy text domain and its strings can be translated. You write the notification bar content yourself.

= Where can I get support? =

Ask a question in the [TopBuddy support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/topbuddy/), or [contact TopBuddy](https://wptopbuddy.com/contact/?utm_source=wprepo&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liteplugin).

== Screenshots ==

1. The TopBuddy notification bars dashboard.
2. The visual builder and notification bar settings.
3. Display rules for targeting pages and user roles.
4. The template library with announcement and promotion designs.
5. General notification bar styling options.
6. Styling controls for individual components.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.7 =
* Fixed: Specific-page targeting search request parameters and nonce validation.
* Improved: Unsaved-change indicators and clear activation and deactivation feedback in the editor.
* Added: Green Upgrade to Pro link on the Plugins screen.

= 1.0.6 =
* Dashboard updates

= 1.0.5 =
* Fix image encoding

= 1.0.4 =
* Added template library
* Disabled pointer events in preview mode for the close button
* Added new Status column

= 1.0.3 =
* Added: device visibility options to show or hide bars on desktops, tablets, or mobiles, with breakpoint option.
* Added: emoji support for Title and Message components.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.0.7 =
Fixes page targeting search and clarifies saving and activation in the editor.

= 1.0.6 =
Dashboard updates.
