How to Add Clickable Phone Numbers to Your Shopify Store

In today’s digital age, making it easy for customers to contact your business is crucial. One simple yet effective way to improve customer communication is by adding a clickable phone number to your Shopify store. This feature allows visitors to quickly call your business with just a tap, enhancing user experience and potentially boosting conversions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of adding a clickable phone number to both your store’s header and footer.

Adding a Clickable Phone Number to Your Shopify Store’s Header

Why Add a Phone Number to Your Header?

The header of your website is prime real estate. It’s one of the first things visitors see when they land on your page. By placing your contact number here, you’re making it immediately accessible, which can:

Improve customer service by providing an instant communication channel
Increase trust and credibility by showing that you’re easily reachable
Potentially boost conversions by removing barriers to contact

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Phone Number in Your Header

Follow these simple steps to add a clickable phone number to your Shopify store’s header:

1. Access Your Shopify Admin Panel

2. Open Navigation Settings

Go to “Online Store” > “Navigation”
Click on “Main menu” (or the title of your header menu)

3. Add a New Menu Item

Click on “Add menu item”
In the “Name” field, enter your business phone number
Under the “Link” heading, enter your phone number again, but prefix it with “tel:”
- For example: tel:+1234567890
- Remember to include the country code if you want to receive international calls

4. Save Your Changes

Click the green “Add” button, then save your menu.

Testing Your Clickable Phone Number

After adding the phone number, it’s crucial to test it to ensure it’s working correctly. Visit your store on both desktop and mobile devices to verify that the number appears in your header and that clicking or tapping it initiates a call.

Adding a Clickable Phone Number to Your Shopify Store’s Footer

Benefits of Including Your Phone Number in the Footer

While the header is great for immediate visibility, the footer serves as a consistent reference point across all pages. Adding your phone number here:

Provides multiple contact options for users who scroll to the bottom of the page
Reinforces your availability and willingness to communicate
Complements other contact information typically found in the footer

How to Add a Clickable Phone Number to Your Footer

Follow these steps to add your phone number to the footer:

1. Access Your Theme Editor

In your Shopify admin, go to “Online Store” > “Themes”
Click “Customize” on your active theme

2. Locate the Footer Section

Find and click on the “Footer” section in the left sidebar of the theme editor.

3. Add a Text Block

Click “Add block” > “Text”
Enter an appropriate heading (e.g., “Contact Number” or “Phone”)
In the subheading field, enter your business phone number as plain text

4. Make the Number Clickable

Highlight the phone number you just entered
Click on the anchor icon to edit the link
In the link field, enter your phone number prefixed with “tel:”
- For example: tel:+1234567890

5. Save Your Changes

Click “Done” to save the block, then save your theme changes.

Verifying Footer Functionality

As with the header, it’s important to test the clickable number in your footer. Check it on various devices to ensure it’s visible and functional across different screen sizes.

Best Practices for Implementing Clickable Phone Numbers

To maximize the effectiveness of your clickable phone numbers, consider these best practices:

Use Consistent Formatting

Ensure that your phone number is formatted consistently across your site. This helps with brand consistency and makes it easier for customers to recognize and remember.

Include International Dialing Codes

If you serve an international audience, include the country code in your clickable phone numbers. This ensures that customers from any location can call you without confusion.

Consider Adding Icons

While adding phone icons requires more advanced customization or the use of apps, they can enhance visibility and user experience. Icons can make your contact options more intuitive and visually appealing.

Optimize for Mobile

Given that many users will be viewing your site on mobile devices, ensure that your clickable phone numbers are easily tappable on smaller screens. This might mean increasing font size or spacing for mobile views.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems while adding clickable phone numbers, here are some common issues and solutions:

Link Not Accepting Phone Number Format

Some users report that the link field doesn’t accept the “tel:” format. If this happens:

Double-check that you’re not using any special characters in the phone number
Ensure you’re entering only numbers after the “tel:” prefix
Try removing any spaces or parentheses in the number

Number Not Clickable on All Devices

Remember that the clickable feature only works if the user’s device is set up to handle phone calls. On desktop computers without calling capabilities, the number may appear as plain text.

Formatting Issues

If your phone number’s formatting looks off after adding it:

Try adjusting the text styling in your theme editor
Consider using a consistent format across all instances of your phone number on the site

By following this guide, you should be able to successfully add clickable phone numbers to both the header and footer of your Shopify store. This simple addition can significantly improve your store’s user experience and potentially lead to increased customer engagement and sales. Remember to regularly test and update your contact information to ensure it remains accurate and functional.

For more advanced customizations or if you encounter persistent issues, consider reaching out to Shopify support or exploring the Shopify App Store for additional tools that can help enhance your store’s contact features.