Free Plugins: Notification Bar Plugins
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David
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December 28th, 2012
Pretty much every major blog worth its salt these days has one of those bars at the top of the page selling a product, linking to an email list registration, or doing something similar. You might find yourself envying these pretty popup bars and wondering where to get your very own.
Well, if you've done any research, you know that they can get pricey. Like many of the custom HTML, CSS, and Javascript features out there, you can really add up expenses quickly with all of those $5, $10, and $20 charges out there.
If that's the case, you're in luck! I've found two of the best ones out there and they don't cost a penny.
Why would I want a notification bar plugin?
Remember in the past when we discussed the value of the "call-to-action?" Notification bars are the perfect place to add key, strong calls-to-action for your readership. Many content marketers use them to offer a free download or to pull in email addresses for marketing lists.
They can be used for anything. If you have an especially popular series, link to it. If you want to collect a list of reasons people are grateful for cheese, do it. You can use these programs for anything, and they're a direct, immediate way to engage with your public!
The Top Free Notification Bar Plugins for WordPress
Here's a preview from one of my websites. Be sure to click this image to view the plugin homepage.
1. Easy Heads Up Bar
This is by far the easiest and most simplistic of the notification bar plugins I've listed here. There are four color options, and a few other ways to customize. But, it's super easy and is a perfect introduction into the notification bar world for those with no clue what they're doing. I enjoyed my time with it thoroughly!
Check out the totally awesome and free ViperBar from ViperChill. Click to visit the homepage.
2. ViperBar
ViperBar came highly recommended, and I must say, I'm impressed. It's incredibly powerful, yet easy to use. You can even try your hand at A/B testing without doing anything too big or scary. The other options built into the plugin are wonderful. You can really do anything with this plugin; the options are limitless. This is a fantastic free option!
Click this image to view the Hello Bar homepage!
3. Not totally free, but still awesome: Hello Bar
Although I have not used Hello Bar personally, it is the go-to notification bar plugin for the big names in blogging. It's very versatile with plenty of custom options and statistics. But, it's not totally free. You can get 25 free clicks a month with Hello Bar, unless you opt for the 100 clicks per month for $4.95 package. What if you expect more than 100 clicks a month? Opt for the developer package (one time fee of $29.95).
I have yet to decide whether or not the fee for Hello Bar offers more than the free ViperBar, but we'll see.
Do you use a notification bar? If so, which? What's your key call-to-action?