How to Add & Design a Top Bar using GeneratePress & GenerateBlocks

If you’re looking to add a top bar, also known as an announcement bar, to your website using the GeneratePress theme and GenerateBlocks, this guide will walk you through the steps. A top bar is a great way to display important messages, promotions, or calls to action on your website. Here’s how you can set it up.

Step 1: Activate the Elements Module

Before getting started, ensure that the Elements module in GeneratePress Premium is activated:

1. Go to Appearance > GeneratePress.
2. Under Modules, ensure that Elements is activated.

Once activated, you’ll see the Elements option appear under the Appearance menu.

Step 2: Create a New Element

Next, you’ll create the top bar element:

1. Go to Appearance > Elements.
2. Click on Add New Element and select Block.
3. Name it something like “Top Bar” or “Announcement Bar”.

Step 3: Design the Top Bar

Now, you can start designing your top bar using GenerateBlocks:

1. Insert a Container Block: This will serve as the outer structure of your top bar.
2. Add an Inner Container Block: This ensures your content stays within a certain width and doesn’t stretch across the entire screen.
3. Set the Background Color: Select the outer container and choose a background color that matches your website’s theme.
4. Insert a Grid Block: If you want to include both text and a button (or other elements), a grid layout can help you position these elements side by side.

Example Design:

• Text Example: Insert a headline block that says something like, “Check out our newest product on sale!”
• Button Example: Add a button block with text like, “View the Product.” Style the button with your brand colors and adjust the padding and spacing as needed.
• Spacing and Alignment: Center the content and adjust padding for both the container and the elements inside to ensure everything is well-spaced.

Step 4: Set the Location

To make sure your top bar appears across your website:

1. Go to the Location settings in the element editor.
2. Set it to Display on the Entire Site.
   • Optional Exclusion: If the bar links to a specific page, you can exclude that page from showing the bar to avoid redundancy.

Step 5: Choose the Hook

To place the top bar in the right spot:

1. Set the Element Type to Hook.
2. In the Hook Name field, select before_header.

This ensures the top bar appears just above your main header and navigation.

Step 6: Publish and Preview

Once you’ve made your settings:

1. Publish the element.
2. Visit your site to preview the top bar. It should appear at the top of every page, above your navigation.

Step 7: Optimize for Mobile

Make sure the top bar looks great on all devices:

1. Adjust Font Size and Spacing for Mobile: In the editor, switch to mobile view and tweak the font size, padding, and button alignment to ensure everything looks clean and easy to read.
2. Preview on Mobile Devices: Use the WordPress Customizer to preview how the top bar looks on tablets and mobile phones.

Step 8: Managing the Top Bar

When you’re done with the announcement or need to update it:

• Make the Element a Draft: If you want to remove the bar temporarily.
• Update Content as Needed: Simply edit the content and publish it again whenever necessary.

Final Thoughts