Countdown timers create urgency and drive immediate action. This guide covers everything you need to know about using countdown timers in both Announcement Bars and Popup Campaigns.
Studies show countdown timers can increase conversions by up to 400%.
Note: Features marked (PRO) require HashBar Pro. All other features are available in the free version.
Timer Types
HashBar offers 3 countdown timer types, each designed for different use cases.
1. Fixed Date Timer
Counts down to a specific date and time you set. All visitors see the same countdown.
How to set up:
- Go to the Countdown tab in the editor.
- Enable the countdown timer toggle.
- Select Fixed Date as the timer type.
- Set the End Date and End Time using the date picker.
- Choose your timezone (Site timezone or Visitor timezone).
Best for:
- Real sale deadlines (Black Friday, Cyber Monday)
- Event registrations with fixed closing dates
- Product launch countdowns
- Limited-time offers with actual end dates
2. Evergreen Timer (PRO)
A personal timer that starts fresh for each visitor. When a new visitor sees the timer, it begins counting down from the duration you set. Each visitor gets their own unique countdown.
How to set up:
- Go to the Countdown tab in the editor.
- Enable the countdown timer toggle.
- Select Evergreen as the timer type.
- Set the countdown Duration (days, hours, minutes).
Best for:
- Always-running promotional offers
- Welcome discounts for new visitors
- Personal urgency without fixed deadlines
- E-commerce stores with ongoing promotions
Pro Tip: Evergreen timers are powerful because every visitor gets a fresh countdown. A visitor arriving today sees the same urgency as one arriving next week.
3. Daily Recurring Timer (PRO)
Resets at the same time every day. Useful for daily deals, lunch specials, or any offer that repeats daily.
How to set up:
- Go to the Countdown tab in the editor.
- Enable the countdown timer toggle.
- Select Daily Recurring as the timer type.
- Set the Reset Time (e.g., midnight, or end of business hours).
Best for:
- Daily deal sites
- Restaurant lunch/dinner specials
- Daily free shipping windows
- Flash sales that repeat daily
Timer Styles
Choose from 4 visual styles for your countdown timer.
| Style | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Inline / Simple | Clean inline numbers (e.g., “2d 05h 30m 15s”) | Announcement bars, minimal designs |
| Boxes | Numbers displayed in styled boxes | Popups, bold designs |
| Digital | Digital clock-style display | Tech, modern designs |
| Circles (PRO) | Circular progress-style animation | Premium, eye-catching designs |
Display Options
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Show Days | Display the days unit | On |
| Show Hours | Display the hours unit | On |
| Show Minutes | Display the minutes unit | On |
| Show Seconds | Display the seconds unit | On |
| Custom Labels | Rename unit labels (e.g., “Days” to “D”) | Days, Hours, Minutes, Seconds |
| Separator | Character between units | “:” |
Announcement Bar Position Options
In announcement bars, you can control where the timer appears relative to the message:
- Top – Timer above the message
- Left – Timer to the left of the message
- Right – Timer to the right of the message
- Below – Timer below the message
You can also add custom text before and after the timer (e.g., “Sale ends in” [timer] “Hurry!”).
Styling Options
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Background Color | Timer box or container background fill |
| Text Color | Color of the countdown numbers |
| Label Color | Color of unit labels (Days, Hours, etc.) |
| Size | Small, Medium, or Large |
Best Practices
- Match the timer type to your offer. Use Fixed Date for real deadlines. Use Evergreen for always-running promotions where personal urgency matters.
- Keep countdown durations reasonable. A 24-48 hour evergreen timer creates more urgency than a 30-day countdown.
- Combine with a coupon code. A countdown timer next to a discount code increases conversion rates significantly.
- Choose the right style. Inline/Simple works well for announcement bars where space is limited. Boxes or Circles work well in popups with more visual space.
- Hide unnecessary units. If your countdown is under 24 hours, consider hiding the Days unit to avoid showing “0 Days”.
Timer Type Comparison
| Feature | Fixed Date | Evergreen (PRO) | Daily Recurring (PRO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same for all visitors | Yes | No (personal) | Yes |
| Resets automatically | No | Per visitor | Daily |
| Requires end date | Yes | No (duration-based) | No (time-based) |
Related Guides
- Announcement Bar Editor Guide – Full reference for announcement bar settings
- Popup Campaign Editor Guide – Full reference for popup campaign settings
- Coupon Display Guide – Combine countdowns with coupon codes
- Use Cases & Recipes – Real-world countdown timer examples
That’s it! You now know everything about countdown timers in HashBar. If you need additional assistance, feel free to contact our support team.