Introduction
The digital shopping experience has evolved, and so have the strategies to boost online sales. One of the most effective techniques to ignite a sense of urgency among shoppers is by incorporating a countdown timer. Why is a countdown important, you ask? It's because countdowns create a sense of scarcity and urgency that nudges the customer to make a quicker decision about purchasing a product. In a Shopify store, time-limited offers, sales, and promotions can benefit immensely from countdown timers. Let's delve into why countdowns are crucial, when to use them, and how they can skyrocket your sales.
Why is a Countdown Timer Important?
When shoppers see a ticking clock, it taps into their psychology. The notion of missing out on a deal becomes unbearable. This establishes urgency, a powerful motivator in decision-making processes. Thus, countdown timers can be game-changers for your Shopify store. They can:
- Increase conversion rates
- Decrease cart abandonment
- Enhance user engagement
The Shopify App: Live Product Options
The simplest way to add a countdown timer is through an app like Live Product Options. This Shopify app is the ultimate solution for product customization, allowing you to add variant options, variant selectors, custom pricing, and more. It’s easy to use, highly reliable, and fast. Click here to install the app and follow the onboarding instructions. It’s as straightforward as setting up a social media profile.
Step 1: Install the App and Complete the Onboarding Process
After clicking the link, you will be directed to the Shopify app page. Install the app and follow the onboarding instructions provided.
Step 2: Select Your Product
Once you've completed the setup, navigate to the 'New Product' option marked with a Plus sign. Here, you can select either a single product or multiple products depending on your campaign needs. After you’ve made your selection, click on the 'Select Product' button.
Step 3: Add HTML and CSS
Now, it's time to add the countdown timer. Click on the "Add Option" and choose the "HTML Type" for the option. Here, you’ll paste the HTML code for the countdown timer (provided at the start of this article). Below it, you’ll see an area for CSS, where you should paste the accompanying CSS code.
HTML CODE
<div class="countdown">
<div class="time-unit">
<div class="circle" id="hours">00</div>
<span>Hours</span>
</div>
<div class="time-unit">
<div class="circle" id="minutes">00</div>
<span>Minutes</span>
</div>
<div class="time-unit">
<div class="circle" id="seconds">00</div>
<span>Seconds</span>
</div>
</div>
<p>Hurry! Only buy now!</p>
CSS CODE
.countdown {
display: flex;
gap: 20px;
}
.time-unit {
text-align: center;
}
.circle {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
width: 60px;
height: 60px;
border: 2px solid black;
border-radius: 50%;
font-weight: bold;
}
p {
margin-top: 20px;
font-size: 1.2rem;
}
Java Code Placement
JS CODE
// Set the date we're counting down to
// Here I set it for a countdown of 1 hour. Adjust as needed.
let countDownDate = new Date().getTime() + (60 * 60 * 1000);
// Update the countdown every second
let x = setInterval(function() {
let now = new Date().getTime();
let distance = countDownDate - now;
// Time calculations
let hours = Math.floor((distance % (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24)) / (1000 * 60 * 60));
let minutes = Math.floor((distance % (1000 * 60 * 60)) / (1000 * 60));
let seconds = Math.floor((distance % (1000 * 60)) / 1000);
// Display the results
document.getElementById("hours").innerHTML = (hours < 10 ? "0" : "") + hours;
document.getElementById("minutes").innerHTML = (minutes < 10 ? "0" : "") + minutes;
document.getElementById("seconds").innerHTML = (seconds < 10 ? "0" : "") + seconds;
// If the countdown is finished, display some text
if (distance < 0) {
clearInterval(x);
document.querySelector(".countdown").innerHTML = "EXPIRED";
}
}, 1000);
-Open Notepad copy and paste the code, and save the file with scriptscd.js name, -Now go to Shopify theme and click on edit code, and click on add asset in asset section, upload the JS file
Link to the scripts.js in your theme:
-Under the Layout folder, find and open the file named theme.liquid.
-Scroll towards the bottom and look for the closing </body> tag.
-Just above the </body> tag, add the following line to link your new JavaScript file:
{{ 'scripts.js' | asset_url | script_tag }}
-And save.
Step 4: Enable and Save
Once you've pasted the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, click the 'Enable' button. After ensuring all settings are as you want them, click 'Save.' You can then preview your product page to make sure the countdown timer appears as expected.
Troubleshooting
Should you encounter any issues, feel free to contact the customer support team or consult the FAQ section of the Live Product Options app.
Other Features
Apart from the countdown timer, the Live Product Options app offers numerous features, including SVG masking and advanced options like conditional logic or pricing formulas. Stay tuned for future blog posts where we delve deeper into these aspects.
Conclusion
Incorporating a countdown timer into your Shopify store with Live Product Options isn’t just an option; it's a strategic move that’s proven to improve sales metrics across the board. The app is user-friendly, versatile, and reliable, making it the preferred solution for introducing urgency and customizing your product listings.
So why wait? The clock is ticking, and so are your sales opportunities. Install Live Product Options now and give your Shopify store the urgency it needs to convert more sales!
Happy selling!
