Adding a countdown timer to your email is a great way to create urgency and drive engagement, especially during flash sales, special promotions, or holiday campaigns. While Ascent360 does not currently offer a built-in countdown timer feature, you can easily add one using an HTML content block and a third-party countdown timer service.
Why Use Countdown Timers?
Countdown timers help motivate your recipients to take action before a deadline. They visually emphasize urgency, making them especially effective for:
- Limited-time offers
- Flash sales
- Seasonal or holiday events
- Product launches
Step 1: Choose a Countdown Timer Generator
To get started, you’ll need to use a third-party countdown timer generator that provides HTML embed code. Some recommended providers include:
⚠️ Note: Most third-party countdown timer tools require a paid subscription or account to access full features.
Step 2: Create Your Timer
Once you’ve selected a provider:
- Create an account with the third-party platform.
- Create a new countdown timer.
- Choose the event date and time you want the timer to count down to.
- Customize the appearance (size, colors, font, etc.) to match your branding.
- Click Save.
- Copy the HTML embed code provided.
Sample timer:
Step 3: Add the Timer to Your Email
- Open your email draft in the Ascent360 Email Editor.
- Add an HTML content block to a row in your email layout.
- Delete any existing code inside the block.
- Paste the HTML code you copied from the timer generator.
You should now see a live preview of your countdown timer within your email.
Important Compatibility Notes
- Supported in most inboxes: Countdown timers are usually embedded as animated GIFs, which work in most modern email clients.
- Apple Mail caveat: Apple Mail may preload content before opening, which can cause the timer to display an incorrect time.
- Outlook limitations: Older versions of Outlook (2007, 2010, and 2013) do not support animated GIFs and will display only the first frame of the timer.
Final Tips
- Always send a test email to check how the timer renders in various inboxes.
- Use a clear call to action near the timer (e.g., “Shop Now Before Time Runs Out!”).
- Make sure your timer’s end time matches the actual deadline for your offer.
Need help inserting HTML or have additional questions? Reach out to our support team—we’re happy to help!