How to Add a Custom Banner to Your BigCommerce Homepage
May 12, 2026
By: Tiffany Hindman
Summary: Learn how to add a custom banner to your BigCommerce homepage using Page Builder or theme customization. This guide covers setup steps, design best practices, and common banner issues to avoid.
Your homepage banner is one of the first things customers see when they land on your store. Whether you're promoting a sale, launching a new product, or highlighting your brand message, a custom banner helps direct attention where it matters most.
The good news: adding or updating a homepage banner in BigCommerce is usually straightforward and doesn't require advanced development.
This guide walks through the most common ways to add a custom banner, plus a few best practices to make sure it actually improves the customer experience.
What Is a Homepage Banner in BigCommerce?
A homepage banner is a large visual section displayed near the top of your storefront homepage. Depending on your theme, it may also be called a:
- Hero banner
- Carousel
- Slideshow
- Promotional banner
Most BigCommerce themes include built-in banner functionality that allows you to:
- Upload images
- Add text overlays
- Include buttons or links
- Rotate multiple slides
Common Use Cases for Homepage Banners
Homepage banners are typically used to highlight important content or promotions. Some of the most common use cases include:
This is the most popular use case. A well-placed homepage banner can immediately draw attention to current campaigns including:
- Seasonal sales
- Limited-time offers
- Free shipping promotions
- Clearance events
Launching a new collection or featured product? A homepage banner helps:
- Increase visibility
- Drive traffic directly to the product page
- Create a stronger launch experience
Not every banner needs to be promotional. Many brands use homepage banners to communicate:
- Brand values
- Product quality
- Industry expertise
- Manufacturing capabilities
This is especially useful for B2B or specialty manufacturers.
Some banners are designed to guide users into specific shopping paths, improving navigation and product discovery. For example:
- Shop Wholesale
- Explore New Arrivals
- View Best Sellers
Method 1: Add a Banner Using the BigCommerce Page Builder
For most stores, this is the easiest method.
Open Page Builder
- Log in to BigCommerce admin
- Go to Storefront → Page Builder
Select Your Homepage
- Open your homepage layout
- Locate the banner or hero section
Add or Edit a Banner Widget
- Click Add Content
- Choose: Banner, Hero, Carousel, or Image
Upload Your Banner Image
- Use compressed images
- Avoid large file sizes
- Center text for mobile
Add Text and Links
- Headlines and subheadings
- Buttons and destination URLs
- e.g. "Shop Now," "Learn More"
Save and Publish
- Preview on desktop and mobile
- Publish changes live
Method 2: Add a Custom Banner Through Theme Files
If you need more control over layout or behavior, you may need to customize your Stencil theme. This approach is useful when:
- You want custom animations
- You need unique banner placement
- You want dynamic content from custom fields or APIs
Most banner sections are controlled through:
home.htmlcarousel.html- Theme partials or widget templates
Example banner structure:
<img src="/content/banner-image.jpg" alt="Homepage Banner">
<div class="banner-content">
<h2>Summer Collection</h2>
<a href="/summer-collection/" class="button">Shop Now</a>
</div>
</div>
Best Practices for Homepage Banners
A banner should support the shopping experience—not overwhelm it. Here are a few best practices:
Keep Messaging Clear
Customers should understand the purpose of the banner immediately. Avoid:
- Too much text
- Multiple competing messages
- Cluttered visuals
Optimize for Mobile
A banner that looks great on desktop can break on mobile. Always test:
- Image cropping
- Text placement
- Button visibility
Prioritize Page Speed
Large banners are one of the most common causes of slow homepage performance. To improve speed:
- Compress images
- Use modern formats when possible
- Avoid unnecessary sliders or auto-rotating carousels
Include a Clear Call-to-Action
A banner without direction often gets ignored. Use action-oriented CTA text like:
- Shop Now
- Explore Products
- Get Started
- View Collection
Common Banner Issues in BigCommerce
Banner Looks Cropped on Mobile
This usually happens because image dimensions aren't optimized for responsive layouts. Try:
- Using wider focal spacing
- Keeping text away from edges
- Testing multiple screen sizes
Banner Text Is Hard to Read
Avoid placing text directly over busy imagery. Instead use:
- Overlay backgrounds
- Strong contrast
- Larger typography
Homepage Loads Slowly
Large image files and multiple rotating slides are common performance problems. Simpler banners often perform better than complex carousels.
Final Thoughts
A custom homepage banner is one of the simplest ways to improve your storefront experience and highlight what matters most to your customers.
Whether you're promoting products, guiding navigation, or reinforcing your brand, the key is keeping banners clear, responsive, and intentional.
Small homepage improvements can have a meaningful impact on engagement and conversions.
Build a Strong eCommerce Foundation
Your storefront should do more than just look good—it should support growth, operations, and customer experience.
Strabo Partners helps businesses build and optimize BigCommerce storefronts that connect seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and other critical business systems.
Let's simplify how your systems work together.