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What Is a Countdown Timer and How To Use It Effectively?

Shopney’s Countdown Timer sparks urgency to boost your app’s sales. Here’s how to make it work for you!

Lara Soley avatar
Written by Lara Soley
Updated over a week ago

Countdown Timer is a dynamic design element that displays a ticking clock for your campaigns, right on your app’s homepage. It’s perfect for driving urgency, whether you’re running flash sales, clearance events, or new product drops.

With a Countdown Timer, you can:

• Create urgency to encourage quicker purchases

• Increase sales by leveraging scarcity effectively

• Customize the design to match your app’s style seamlessly

• Use advanced features for a polished and engaging experience

Let’s go through each section to master the Countdown Timer and boost your app’s sales!

💡Tip

Place the timer prominently on your homepage (e.g., near the top) to maximize visibility and encourage immediate engagement.


How Can You Set It Up On Your Mobile App?

1- Add the Countdown Timer to the Design Dashboard

You can simply drag and drop it into your desired spot on the app’s homepage.

Shopney design dashboard, design, countdown timer, promotion, campaign, mobile app, Shopney

2- Complete the Configuration

Once added, a configuration menu will appear on the right side of your dashboard, letting you customize the timer’s look and settings, as shown below.

Shopney design dashboard, countdown timer, promotion, campaign, mobile app, Shopney


What are the Components of a Countdown Timer?

Before diving into configuration details, let's explore the components of a fully functional Countdown Timer, as shown below.

countdown timer, promotion, campaign, mobile app, Shopney, sale

  • Title: Add a catchy title to your timer or hide it for a cleaner look—your choice!

  • Promotional Image: Set a custom image to make your timer stand out. This unique Shopney feature ties your campaign’s vibe to the visuals.

  • Timer: The ticking digits show the campaign’s remaining time, creating urgency for shoppers.

  • Subtitle: Include a short text below the timer to reinforce your message or add extra context.


How to configure the Countdown Timer?

Set up your Countdown Timer in minutes to drive urgency and boost sales. Let’s go through the 9 easy steps to customize it perfectly for your campaign:

1- Set the Title
Add a title at the top of the configuration menu to highlight your campaign, or skip it for a sleek, title-free look.

2- Choose the End Time
Pick when your timer stops by selecting the date (1), time (2), and timezone (3).

3- Select an Action Type


Link the timer to a product, collection(s), or URL. When tapped, it will direct users to the product page, collection page, or URL you chose.

📌 Important Note

If you link the timer to multiple collections, the first one added will be displayed when the timer is tapped, so prioritize your main collection.

4- Customize the Color


Change the timer’s digit color using the palette or by entering a HEX code to match your app’s style.

5- Add a Subtitle
Include a short subtitle below the timer to reinforce your campaign’s message, or hide it for a minimalist design.

6- Upload a Promotional Image
Add a custom image to make your timer visually striking and tie it to your campaign’s theme.

💡Tip

Use a vibrant, campaign-specific image (e.g., showcasing your sale items) that complements your homepage design, rather than a generic product photo, for maximum impact.

7- Set the Finish Status
Decide if the timer stays on your homepage after it expires or disappears automatically, and toggle it on or off.

8- Make it visible on the Product Listing Page

Set it to be visible on top of the product listing page to create FOMO throughout the shopping.

9- Control Visibility on Product Lists
If you linked a collection in step 3, the timer will appear on both the homepage (1) and the product listing pages for those collections (2) as shown below, boosting visibility.

countdown timer, promotion, campaign, mobile app, Shopney

💡Tip

Once all set, you can schedule the Countdown Timer on top of the edit section to go live later, depending on your campaign's timing.

All done! The Countdown Timer is set to spark urgency and drive more sales. Want to explore the best use cases? Check the next section!


What Are The Best Use Cases for a Countdown Timer?

1- How to use a Countdown Timer for multi-collection campaigns?

Boost engagement by pairing the Countdown Timer with multiple collections for a seamless, shoppable experience. Here’s how to set it up:

  • Add a Slider Element
    Place a slider just below the timer to showcase all collections tied to your campaign. Users can easily see and explore the featured collections right next to the timer.

  • Enhance with Visuals and Text

    Use a promotional image to highlight your campaign (e.g., featuring a discount code). Add a subtitle to guide users to the collections below and link the slider to display the timer’s related collections.

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💡Tip

  • Try Different Elements: Swap the slider for slideshow, carousel, gallery, or circle elements to showcase collections—they all create stunning displays.

  • Disable Timer Interaction: In the countdown timer’s configuration menu, make sure you disable interaction at the bottom of the setup to prevent the timer from linking to the first collection when tapped. This keeps users focused on all the collections.

  • Show Timer on Collection Pages: Enable timer visibility on the product listing page for related collections. This places the timer at the top of the collection page, reinforcing urgency.

countdown timer, promotion, campaign, mobile app, Shopney, product listing

2. How to Use a Countdown Timer For Storewide Campaigns?

Run a flash sale across your entire store with a Countdown Timer that maximizes urgency. Here’s how:

  • Skip the Action Type
    Set up the timer without linking to a specific product, collection, or URL. This makes it apply to all products in your store.

  • Highlight the Offer
    Use the timer’s promotional image or subtitle to display a discount code if applicable, making it easy for customers to shop the sale.

countdown timer, promotion, campaign, mobile app, Shopney

💡Tip

Swap the timer’s promotional image for an App-Exclusive Discount (AED) element. Place a stunning AED image above the timer, letting users tap it to activate the discount instantly or set it to be applied automatically at checkout. Need help with the App-Exclusive Discount? Check out our detailed guide here.

3. What Can I Use The URL Action Type For?

The Countdown Timer’s URL action type lets you link to time-sensitive offers outside your app. Got a special deal for customers who fill out a website form by a deadline? Link the timer to the form’s URL to create urgency and boost participation.

💡Tip

Use a clear subtitle (e.g., “Hurry! Form closes soon”) to explain the URL’s purpose and encourage clicks. Test the link in your timer configuration to ensure it works smoothly.


Need Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is here to assist you:

  • Contact our support team via live chat in your Shopney dashboard.

  • Visit our Help Center.


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