How To Add A Countdown Timer To Your Shopify Store

Countdown timers create a sense of urgency, boosting sales on your Shopify store. Many premium themes have them built-in, but if yours doesn't, you can easily add one with a third-party app or even custom code.

In this guide, I'll show you how to add a countdown timer using all three methods so you can add and customize it to fit your brand and drive more conversions.

Steps To Add A Countdown Timer To Shopify

Using A Theme’s Feature

Some Shopify themes have built-in countdown timer functionality. Here's how to use it:

1. In your Shopify admin, navigate to Online store

2. Under the Theme sections, tap Customize your desired theme.

3. Go to Theme Settings and expand the Countdown Timer section. 

Here, you can customize the countdown timer’s appearance and behavior, such as

• Edit the text that displays on the timer.
• Set the date and time for when the countdown should end.
• Adjust the colors for the text, button, and background to match your store’s branding.
• Change the size of the text for better visibility.
• Add a destination URL for the Call-to-Action (CTA) button.
• Choose the position of the timer (top or bottom of the page).

4. Once you're satisfied with the configuration, click Save to activate the countdown timer.

Using App

The Shopify App Store offers a variety of countdown timer apps, each with its unique features and customization options.

1. Go to the Shopify App Store and search for "countdown timer" app.

Choose a countdown timer app that suits your needs based on features like customizable templates, ease of use, and user reviews.

Here are some popular choices:

• Essential Countdown Timer Bar
• Hextom: Countdown Timer Bar
• FOMO:Sales Countdown Timer Bar
• Urgency Bear Countdown Timer
• TicTac ‑ Countdown Timer bar

2. Click Install and integrate it into your Shopify store. I’ll take Essential Countdown Timer Bar to demonstrate the steps to make it visible on your store.

3. After installation, follow the app’s instructions to customize the countdown timer and publish it.

4. Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize your theme > Click the App Embeds settings.

5. Locate the Installed countdown timer app and enable it. 

6. Now, back to the theme editor, click Add sections > Apps > Select the countdown timer app.

7. Add the countdown timer ID and click Save. You’ll now see the countdown timer appear on your site.

Using Code

If you're comfortable with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or have access to a developer, you can manually embed a countdown timer using code snippets. This method offers more flexibility and customization, but requires technical skills.

The process contains 2 large stages:

Step 1: Add a Countdown Timer Snippet

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store and access Themes.

2. Click on the … button for your active theme, then choose Edit code.

3. In the Snippets folder on the left panel, click Add a new snippet and name it (e.g., countdown-timer).

4. To add a countdown timer, copy and paste the following code into your newly created snippet file:

<div class="language-plaintext highlighter-rouge">
<div class="highlight">
<pre class="highlight"><code><h2 class="countdown-timer-heading">Special Offer Ends In</h2>

<div class="countdown-timer-container">
  <div class="countdown-timer-values" id="days">00</div>
  <div class="countdown-timer-values" id="hours">00</div>
  <div class="countdown-ttimer-values" id="minutes">00</div>
  <div class="countdown-timer-values" id="seconds">00</div>
  <div>Days</div>
  <div>Hours</div>
  <div>Minutes</div>
  <div>Seconds</div>
</div>

<style>
  .countdown-timer-heading {
    font-size: 45px;
    text-align: center;
  }
  .countdown-timer-container {
    width: 90%;
    max-width: 600px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    text-align: center;
    margin-bottom: 48px;
  }
  .countdown-timer-values {
    font-size: 60px;
  }
</style>

<script type="text/javascript">
  const countDownDateTime = new Date().getTime() + 2*86400000;
  const daysValue = document.querySelector("#days");
  const hoursValue = document.querySelector("#hours");
  const minutesValue = document.querySelector("#minutes");
  const secondsValue = document.querySelector("#seconds");

  let x = setInterval(function () {
    const dateTimeNow = new Date().getTime();
    let difference = countDownDateTime - dateTimeNow;
    
    daysValue.innerHTML = Math.floor(difference / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24));
    hoursValue.innerHTML = Math.floor((difference % (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24)) / (1000 * 60 * 60));
    minutesValue.innerHTML = Math.floor((difference % (1000 * 60 * 60)) / (1000 * 60));
    secondsValue.innerHTML = Math.floor((difference % (1000 * 60)) / 1000);
    
    if (difference < 0) {
      clearInterval(x);
    }
  }, 1000);
</script>

</code></pre>
</div>
</div>

5. Adjust the countdown duration by 

• Modifying the line const countDownDateTime = new Date().getTime() + 2*86400000;.

The number 2*86400000 represents 2 days (each day is 86,400,000 milliseconds). You can change the 2 to your desired number of days.

• Customize the heading and styles as needed.

6. Save the snippet

Step 2: Insert the Countdown Timer Snippet Into Your Page

To display the countdown timer, choose where you want to place it (e.g., homepage, product page, cart page).

1. In your theme editor, locate the relevant file under Templates or Sections. 

2. Insert the following code where you want the countdown timer to appear:

{% include 'countdown-timer' %}

3. Save the changes. The countdown timer will now be live on your storefront.

FAQs

1. What is the simplest way to add a countdown timer to Shopify?

The simplest way is to use your theme's built-in countdown timer feature, if available. 

Many Shopify themes include customizable countdown timer settings within the theme editor, allowing you to quickly add and configure a timer without needing coding skills or third-party apps. You can customize the appearance and placement directly from the theme settings.

2. What is the most advantageous way to add a countdown timer to Shopify?

The most advantageous way depends on the specific needs of your store, but using a third-party app is often the most flexible and feature-rich option. 

Apps offer advanced customization, targeting options (specific pages, devices), analytics, and often require no coding. They also regularly update to keep up with Shopify’s latest features and security updates.

3. What are the top countdown timer apps for Shopify?

Some of the top countdown timer apps for Shopify include:

• Essential Countdown Timer Bar: 0-$29.99/month. Boost sales with customizable timers for announcements, product pages, and carts. Set schedules for daily, recurring, or specific events like flash sales.
• Hextom: 0-$9.99/month. Supports one-time, recurring, daily, and weekly timers with advanced targeting by location, customer, or page. No coding required; fully customizable.
• TicTac ‑ Countdown Timer Bar: 0-$9.9/month. Offers customizable templates to create countdowns for various sales events. Allows for timers to be placed anywhere on the website with simple-to-use settings.

What tips should I consider when using countdown timers?

To get the best practices, we recommend you to:

• Limit overuse: Using countdown timers too frequently can cause customers to ignore them, reducing their impact.
• Ensure credibility: Make sure the countdown reflects real deadlines, as false scarcity can harm your brand’s trust.
• Placement: Place your timer in high-visibility areas, such as the top of your homepage or product pages.
• Mobile optimization: Ensure the countdown timer looks good and functions properly on mobile devices, as many users shop on mobile.
• A/B testing: Test different designs and placements to see which timer configurations convert better.

What considerations should I keep in mind when choosing a countdown timer method?

Not all types of countdown timers are suited for your store. It is vital to consider certain aspects to choose the best one:

• Skill level: If you're comfortable with code, creating a custom countdown timer via code offers total flexibility. For those without technical skills, apps or theme settings are more user-friendly.
• Customization needs: If you need advanced features (e.g., targeting specific pages or countdown variations), an app may be the best choice.
• Budget: Free countdown apps or theme features might suffice for basic needs, but paid apps offer more advanced features.
• Store design: Ensure the timer matches your store’s branding and doesn’t disrupt the user experience.

Final Thought

This article has shown you how to add a countdown timer to your Shopify store easily. Whether through built-in features, apps, or custom code, you now have the tools to implement a timer that fits your store's style and drives conversions.

Learn more:

• How to Create & Customize Shopify Coming Soon Page?
• How to Add Password Protection to your Online Store on Shopify?