Make Phone Number Clickable In BigCommerce Cornerstone Theme

In today's mobile-first world, streamlining customer communication is paramount for business success. One simple yet effective way to enhance user experience and encourage customer interaction is by making your phone number clickable on your website, especially in the footer. This article will guide you through the process of making your footer phone number clickable in your BigCommerce Cornerstone theme, making it easier for customers to reach you directly from their mobile devices or computers. By implementing this simple change, you can significantly improve customer engagement and potentially boost sales. A clickable phone number provides a seamless way for customers to contact your business, leading to quicker resolutions of queries and a more positive customer experience. This is especially crucial for businesses that rely heavily on phone interactions for sales or customer service. Moreover, making your phone number easily accessible demonstrates a commitment to customer convenience, building trust and loyalty. The easier it is for customers to connect with you, the more likely they are to choose your business over competitors. In this article, we will delve into the specific steps required to modify the Cornerstone theme files, ensuring that you can implement this functionality without any coding expertise. We'll also discuss the benefits of having a clickable phone number and how it aligns with best practices in web design and customer service. So, let's dive in and make your website even more customer-friendly!

Why Make Your Footer Phone Number Clickable?

Making your phone number clickable offers numerous benefits, primarily enhancing user experience and accessibility. Improved User Experience is a key advantage, as it allows mobile users to initiate a call directly by tapping the number, eliminating the need to manually dial it. This convenience can significantly improve customer satisfaction and encourage more immediate engagement. Imagine a potential customer browsing your website on their phone, interested in a product but having a quick question. A clickable phone number allows them to instantly connect with your business, potentially leading to a sale that might have been lost if they had to manually dial the number. This seamless interaction enhances the overall user experience, making your website more user-friendly and efficient.

Another significant benefit is Increased Accessibility. A clickable phone number makes it easier for customers, especially those using mobile devices, to contact you. This is particularly important in today's mobile-driven world, where a large percentage of online traffic comes from smartphones. By providing a direct and easy way to call, you are catering to the preferences of your mobile audience and ensuring that they can reach you without any hassle. This is especially crucial for businesses that target a younger demographic, who are more likely to rely on their smartphones for all their online activities. Furthermore, making your phone number clickable can also benefit users with disabilities who may find it difficult to manually dial numbers. The simplicity of tapping a link to make a call can make a significant difference in their ability to connect with your business.

In addition to these benefits, a clickable phone number also contributes to a Professional Website Design. It's a small detail that can make a big difference in how your website is perceived. A clickable phone number demonstrates attention to detail and a commitment to providing a seamless user experience. This can enhance your brand's credibility and build trust with your customers. A well-designed website not only looks good but also functions efficiently, and a clickable phone number is a prime example of this functionality. By incorporating this feature, you are showing your customers that you value their time and convenience, which can ultimately lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Phone Number Clickable in BigCommerce Cornerstone

To make your phone number clickable in the BigCommerce Cornerstone theme, you'll need to access and modify the theme's files. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Access Your BigCommerce Store's Theme Files

First, log in to your BigCommerce store's admin panel. Navigate to Storefront > My Themes. Find the Cornerstone theme (or your current theme) and click on the three dots icon, then select Edit theme files. This will open the theme editor, allowing you to access and modify the theme's code.

The theme editor is a powerful tool that allows you to customize almost every aspect of your store's appearance and functionality. However, it's essential to exercise caution when making changes, as incorrect modifications can lead to errors or break your website. Before making any changes, it's always a good idea to create a backup of your theme files. This will allow you to easily revert to the original state if something goes wrong. The BigCommerce platform provides a convenient way to download a copy of your theme, which you can store safely on your computer. This backup will serve as a safety net, giving you the confidence to experiment with different customizations without the fear of permanently damaging your website.

2. Locate the Footer Template File

In the theme editor, use the file explorer on the left-hand side to navigate to the correct file. The footer template is typically located in the following directory: templates/components/common/. Look for a file named footer.html and open it.

The footer.html file contains the HTML code that defines the structure and content of your website's footer. This is where you'll find the code responsible for displaying your phone number, along with other important information such as your address, social media links, and copyright notice. The Cornerstone theme, like many modern web frameworks, uses a component-based architecture, where different parts of the website are broken down into reusable components. The footer is one such component, allowing you to make changes to the footer's content and layout without affecting other parts of your website. By editing the footer.html file, you can customize the appearance and functionality of your footer to match your brand's identity and meet your specific business needs.

3. Find the Phone Number Code

Once you have the footer.html file open, use the search function (usually Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to find the line of code that displays your phone number. Look for the following code snippet:

<strong>{{lang 'footer.call_us' phone_number=settings.phone_number}}</strong>

This code uses BigCommerce's templating language to display the phone number. The {{lang 'footer.call_us' ...}} part is a language key that retrieves the translated text for "Call us" (or a similar phrase) from your store's language settings. The phone_number=settings.phone_number part passes your store's phone number setting to the language key, which then inserts it into the displayed text. The <strong> tag simply makes the text bold. Identifying this specific code snippet is crucial for making the correct modification without accidentally altering other parts of your footer.

4. Modify the Code to Make the Phone Number Clickable

Now, you'll need to wrap the phone number in an anchor tag (<a>) with the href attribute set to tel:{{settings.phone_number}}. This will make the phone number clickable and allow users to initiate a call when they tap or click on it. Replace the original code with the following:

<a href="tel:{{settings.phone_number}}"><strong>{{lang 'footer.call_us' phone_number=settings.phone_number}}</strong></a>

The <a> tag is the HTML element that creates a hyperlink. The href attribute specifies the destination of the link. In this case, we're using the tel: URL scheme, which tells the browser to initiate a phone call. The {{settings.phone_number}} part inserts your store's phone number into the href attribute, ensuring that the correct number is dialed when the link is clicked. By wrapping the original phone number code in this anchor tag, you're effectively turning it into a clickable link that triggers a phone call. This is a simple yet powerful modification that can significantly improve the user experience on your website.

5. Save Your Changes

After modifying the code, click the Save & apply file button in the top-right corner of the theme editor. This will save your changes and apply them to your live store. It may take a few minutes for the changes to propagate across your website.

Saving your changes is a critical step in the process. The BigCommerce theme editor automatically saves your progress as you type, but it's essential to click the Save & apply file button to ensure that the changes are actually deployed to your live store. This button not only saves the changes but also compiles the theme files and updates the website's cache, ensuring that the new code is correctly rendered. After saving the changes, it's always a good idea to visit your website and check that the phone number in the footer is indeed clickable and that it initiates a phone call when clicked. This will confirm that the modification was successful and that your customers can now easily contact you.

6. Test the Clickable Phone Number

Visit your website and scroll down to the footer. Click or tap on the phone number to ensure it initiates a call on your device. If it doesn't work, double-check the code you entered and make sure there are no typos or errors.

Testing the clickable phone number is a crucial step to ensure that the modification has been implemented correctly and that it functions as expected. It's not enough to simply save the changes and assume that everything is working perfectly. You need to actually test the functionality on different devices and browsers to ensure that it provides a seamless experience for all your customers. If you're testing on a desktop computer, clicking the phone number should prompt your operating system to open a phone call application, such as Skype or FaceTime. On a mobile device, tapping the phone number should automatically open the phone dialer with the number pre-filled. If the phone number doesn't initiate a call, or if it dials the wrong number, you'll need to revisit the code and carefully check for any errors or typos. This thorough testing process will help you ensure that your website provides a smooth and user-friendly experience for your customers.

Best Practices for Phone Number Display

In addition to making your phone number clickable, there are several best practices to consider when displaying your phone number on your website. Consistency in Display is essential. Use the same format for your phone number throughout your website to avoid confusion. For example, if you use the format (XXX) XXX-XXXX, stick to it consistently. Consistency in how you present your phone number not only looks professional but also makes it easier for customers to remember and dial your number. Inconsistencies in formatting can lead to confusion and frustration, potentially causing customers to abandon their attempts to contact you. Therefore, it's important to establish a standard format for your phone number and adhere to it across all your website pages, marketing materials, and other communication channels.

Another important best practice is Placement. Display your phone number prominently in the header and footer of your website, as these are the most common locations users look for contact information. The header is typically the first place visitors look for important information, while the footer provides a consistent point of reference on every page. By placing your phone number in both the header and footer, you ensure that it's easily accessible no matter where a visitor is on your site. In addition to the header and footer, you may also want to consider displaying your phone number on your contact page and in any other relevant sections of your website, such as product pages or landing pages. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for customers to find and contact you.

Furthermore, Clarity and Readability are crucial. Use a clear and legible font size and color for your phone number. Avoid using overly decorative fonts or colors that may make the number difficult to read. The primary purpose of displaying your phone number is to make it easy for customers to contact you, so readability should be your top priority. Use a font size that is large enough to be easily read on both desktop and mobile devices. Choose a font color that contrasts well with the background color of your website to ensure maximum visibility. Avoid using any design elements that may obscure or distract from your phone number. A clear and easily readable phone number demonstrates professionalism and respect for your customers' time.

Conclusion

Making your footer phone number clickable in BigCommerce Cornerstone is a simple yet powerful way to enhance customer communication and improve user experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily implement this functionality and make it easier for customers to contact you. Remember to test your changes thoroughly and adhere to best practices for phone number display to ensure a seamless experience for your website visitors. A clickable phone number is a small detail that can make a big difference in customer satisfaction and engagement, ultimately contributing to the success of your business. In today's competitive online landscape, every little advantage counts, and making your phone number easily accessible is a smart move that can pay off in increased customer interactions and sales. So, take the time to implement this simple change and watch your customer communication improve!