Countdown Announcement Bar
What This Section Does
Display a countdown timer at the very top of your store to create urgency around limited-time offers, flash sales, or special promotions. The ticking timer encourages customers to act quickly before the deal expires.
Perfect for:
- Flash sales and limited-time discounts
- Product launch countdowns
- Holiday sale endings
- Early bird pricing that expires
- Limited inventory clearance events
How to Add It
Step 1: Add the Section
- In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store → Themes
- Click Customize next to your live theme
- In the header area, click Add section
- Choose Countdown Announcement Bar from the list
Step 2: Set Your Countdown
- Choose when your sale or offer ends (date and time)
- Write clear text explaining what's ending ("Sale ends in" or "Free shipping ends in")
- Add an action message after the timer ("Shop now!" or "Don't miss out!")
- Decide what happens when the timer reaches zero
Key Settings to Configure
Countdown Type
Fixed date vs. rolling timer: Choose based on your promotion type
- Fixed date countdown: Best for actual sales that end at specific times (Black Friday, product launches)
- Rolling timer: Creates urgency for each visitor individually (24-hour limited offers)
- Pro tip: Fixed date countdowns feel more authentic and trustworthy
Timer Display
What customers see: Make the urgency clear and compelling
- Clear messaging: Use phrases like "Sale ends in" or "Last chance - ends in"
- Action-oriented: Follow up with "Shop now" or "Don't miss out"
- Honest timing: Only use real deadlines - fake urgency damages trust
- Mobile consideration: Ensure text and timer are readable on small screens
Visibility Settings
When the bar appears: Balance urgency with user experience
- Sticky behavior: Keeps timer visible while browsing (most effective for urgency)
- Scroll hiding: Disappears when scrolling down (less intrusive)
- Pro tip: Sticky works better for short-term promotions, hidden works better for longer campaigns
Pro Tips for Success
Best Practices
- Only use countdown timers for real, limited-time offers
- Keep messaging clear and benefit-focused ("50% off ends in...")
- Set realistic time limits that create urgency without being too short
- Test different timer durations to see what converts best
- Remove or update the bar immediately when the promotion ends
Common Mistakes
- Using fake deadlines that don't actually end promotions
- Making countdown text too long for quick reading
- Setting timers too short (under 2 hours) which can frustrate customers
- Forgetting to remove expired countdown bars
- Using countdown timers for regular pricing or permanent features