Time-bound offers and deadlines create a way of urgency, nudging individuals to take fast motion. Incorporating a countdown timer in an e-mail encourages subscribers to behave in time, as they worry lacking out on a deal that can finish quickly. It’s an efficient technique for driving conversions and might yield spectacular outcomes.
On this publish, we’ll cowl the advantages of including e-mail countdown timers to advertising campaigns. We’ll additionally stroll you thru a step-by-step information to making a countdown with Omnisend.
By the top, you’ll have an understanding of how manufacturers use countdown timers for product launches, occasions, and promotions. Plus, you’ll get sensible tips about placement, topic strains, and CTAs in addition to actual examples from Google, Oakley, Chipotle, and extra to encourage your individual campaigns.
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What’s a countdown timer in e-mail?
An e-mail countdown timer is an animated or static countdown timer embedded into your e-mail campaigns to immediate readers to take motion.
The countdown might be an animated GIF or an embedded HTML code. Companies typically add countdown timers for limited-time presents, product launches, gross sales occasions, or every other sort of promotion.
Right here is a superb instance of a countdown in an e-mail:
Discover how you might be instantly drawn to the timer? It makes you need to beat the clock and seize the low cost.
You may create an e-mail countdown timer, apply the identical impact to your emails, and optimize your campaigns for higher outcomes.
Why use a countdown in e-mail?
There are a number of causes a countdown in emails might be useful for entrepreneurs. Whereas we might not focus on all of them, listed here are just a few of an important ones:
Create a way of urgency
When pressed for time, it’s simpler to make sooner choices. That’s simply human nature.
Utilizing a countdown clock in e-mail advertising campaigns creates a way of urgency for limited-time presents. It ensures your readers perceive they’ve little time left earlier than the supply expires.
The countdown timer working out can intensify their FOMO, motivating them to buy.
Triggers psychological feelings
People are naturally inclined to be part of one thing particular. In e-mail advertising, a countdown timer may also help set off feelings and encourage individuals to behave.
FOMO, anticipation, and the shortage advanced are sometimes arduous to withstand. As such, individuals will attempt to make the most of the supply earlier than the timer runs out.
That is why a countdown timer for e-mail is so efficient in influencing individuals to behave, considerably serving to to extend your acquisitions and gross sales.
Improves click on and conversion charges
Including a countdown clock for e-mail campaigns helps to extend your e-mail click-through fee (CTR) and conversion fee.
Prospects or prospects usually tend to click on on the hyperlink and make the most of a ticking countdown timer with a suggestion ending quickly.
You may drive and enhance engagement and conversions with countdown timers as a substitute of conventional e-mail messages.
Make your campaigns extra visually interesting
How typically have you ever closed an e-mail as a result of it doesn’t look visually interesting? Sadly, that is what occurs to a lot of emails entrepreneurs ship.
Individuals have quick consideration spans, and entrepreneurs have seconds to seize readers’ consideration. Visuals and pictures are efficient in capturing the readers’ consideration.
The extra thrilling the e-mail appears to be like to your readers, the higher their probabilities of interacting with it. Utilizing a visually interesting e-mail countdown timer makes your emails memorable.
They make giveaways/contests thrilling
Individuals love contests as a result of they provide an opportunity to win one thing with none dedication from the individuals. Everybody loves freebies, proper?
The one draw back is that some individuals might really feel suspicious of a prize with out strings connected.
It’s because they’re typically conscious that their probabilities of profitable a contest are slim, making them much less more likely to take part. If you need extra entries, discover a strategy to convey FOMO again into the combo.
Add an e-mail countdown timer to extend participation in your contests/giveaways. When individuals see the ticking countdown timer of the competition, they’ll be extra inclined to register for it.
The timer reminds people who the chance to win doesn’t final indefinitely, which may be sufficient to influence them to take part.
Implementing a timer in your giveaways makes it easier to succeed in your targets, retains your subscribers hooked, and offers useful insights about their preferences.
Create a countdown in e-mail with Omnisend
Making a countdown timer for emails might be sophisticated and time-consuming.
Fortunately, you don’t must construct countdown clocks from scratch. Omnisend helps you create countdown e-mail timers hassle-free.
You solely want fundamental HTML abilities since Omnisend countdown timers are HTML-embedded. All you want to do is open your Omnisend E-mail Editor and drag and drop the customized HTML content material block into the physique of your e-mail.
Right here’s the place the HTML code block is situated:
Listed here are the steps you need to observe:
- Drag and drop the HTML content material block to your e-mail template
- Go to sendtric.com and create a countdown timer — however keep in mind that Sendtric requires a subscription or a paid plan earlier than you possibly can create a countdown timer
- Click on Generate, and it ought to generate an HTML countdown timer
- Copy the code and paste it into the HTML content material block on Omnisend
- Click on Save
Earlier than sending your countdown e-mail to prospects, you need to ship a take a look at marketing campaign to see the way it appears to be like. Then, if the design doesn’t impress you, you can also make the required adjustments earlier than hitting ship.
Take the effort out of e-mail advertising and create countdown timers for emails in minutes.
Free countdown timer for e-mail
Should you’re in search of a easy, no-cost strategy to embed a countdown timer in e-mail campaigns, EmailCountdownTimer.com is your best option.
In contrast to many paid providers, it requires no signup or account creation, so you possibly can bounce straight into constructing your timer.
The software could be very beginner-friendly. You don’t want any superior setup. Every part is completed in only a few clicks. You may also absolutely customise your timer.
When you end, the platform immediately generates each HTML code and a GIF model of your timer. You may copy both one and paste it straight into Omnisend’s Customized HTML content material block — precisely the identical means you’d with paid countdown instruments.
Right here’s a preview of the platform:
When to make use of countdown in e-mail
Whereas e-mail countdown timers have benefits, they is probably not appropriate for each state of affairs. Let’s discover the conditions the place utilizing them in emails can be acceptable.
Gross sales
A countdown timer is a useful software to focus on an upcoming sale. You may implement this technique and take advantage of out of this highly effective software in a number of methods.
You may create countdown emails to tell your prospects in regards to the upcoming sale, with or with out reductions and promos, as proven within the instance under:
Use your timer to rely right down to make a shock flash sale. This timer often runs for just a few hours or days. Having a ticking countdown timer may also help persuade your readers to purchase earlier than the sale ends.
Cart abandonment emails
In keeping with latest analysis, the cart abandonment fee in 2024 averaged 70.19%. From excessive transport charges to bank card declines, the explanations range amongst customers.
However, who would need to lose an opportunity to drive gross sales?
That’s the place e-mail follow-ups are available in. Emails are one of the vital efficient instruments for recovering misplaced gross sales and may also help enhance conversions considerably.
Including countdown clocks in cart abandonment emails may also help drive customers again to their carts and persuade them to finish the acquisition.
This Endlessly 21 e-mail is a good instance of the right way to use urgency to recuperate deserted carts. The countdown timer and product reminders are easy, making it straightforward for customers to return and full their buy:
Black Friday emails
It’s no secret that corporations use countdown clocks to construct anticipation about their Black Friday offers for the vacations.
That’s as a result of countdown timers for e-mail are efficient throughout peak purchasing days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
You may also use countdown timers in Black Friday emails to focus on a promotion, present additional incentives, and clarify why individuals ought to make the most of the supply whereas they nonetheless have time.
This Black Friday e-mail by reMarkable is a primary instance of how countdown timers drive urgency. It has a clear design and opens with a daring headline, “Black Friday is ending.” It’s then adopted by a countdown timer that reinforces time sensitivity.
The copy highlights the model’s worth proposition, “The one digital system that appears like paper,” paired with a $50 low cost. The clear name to motion button makes it easy and compelling for readers to behave instantly:
Particular events
The fastened deadlines for particular events make them preferrred for reminding people who urgency is required.
Throughout particular events like Mom’s Day or birthdays, a countdown timer in e-mail can function a visible reminder of the restricted time left earlier than the occasion.
Displaying this lowering time can encourage subscribers to behave rapidly. Timeless Items makes use of a countdown timer to remind customers that Mom’s Day is simply across the nook. The ticking clock and free transport push customers to behave quick:
Pricing change
Let’s say you’re promoting a service, and the value will change quickly. Countdown emails are one of the simplest ways to inform your prospects or subscribers in regards to the change.
On this case, you possibly can have a countdown timer highlighting the date of the upcoming worth change.
A superb instance is Digme Health, which slashed costs to draw new members. To get sooner gross sales, it added a countdown timer in its e-mail to encourage individuals to enroll earlier than the deal expires.
It additionally presents an additional 10% off to provide prospects another excuse to buy:
New product launch
Wish to convey consideration to a brand new product characteristic you might be launching? Then countdown emails are the way in which to go.
You may rely down till launch and create pleasure on your latest characteristic.
You may also use countdown emails to showcase a brand new product you’re launching and supply reductions or promotions to get individuals enthusiastic about it.
As an illustration, Mercedes makes use of a countdown timer in its elegant e-mail design. It dominates the middle of the e-mail, with the encompassing copy emphasizing the exclusivity of the product.
The e-mail’s modern design, easy black-and-white coloration scheme, and daring textual content make the countdown timer stand out and seize the reader’s consideration:
Occasions and webinars
Do you recurrently host occasions or webinars?
Let countdown emails hold your viewers knowledgeable and excited in regards to the upcoming occasion.
You may rely right down to the occasion day, the registration cut-off date, a reside stream, and a countdown to the webinar’s begin.
Utilizing countdown emails on your occasions creates anticipation and pleasure to assist enhance attendance. It additionally helps remind individuals in regards to the occasion and provides them a motive to attend.
As an illustration, Darkroom makes use of a countdown within the e-mail topic line The countdown begins: 7 days to Evening Faculty 004 to remind subscribers of its upcoming occasion.
The e-mail copy communicates the particular date, time, and venue concisely. There may be additionally a transparent RSVP CTA button for simple revert:
Tricks to succeed with a countdown in e-mail
To efficiently use e-mail countdown timers, take into account these important suggestions.
First, make sure you create visually interesting countdown mail as a result of they compete with different emails within the inbox.
The countdown timer must also be distinguished so it stands out and, extra importantly, is well understood. Additionally, guarantee that the countdown clocks don’t exceed the deadline.
Whereas at it, you must also:
Place your countdown timer on the prime
It’s essential to strategically place your countdown timer close to the highest of the e-mail. Prominently that includes the timer will encourage recipients to click on.
The countdown e-mail timer from Kate Spade is among the first issues the recipient sees once they open the e-mail, because of its placement on the prime.
What’s extra, the superb use of contrasting colours makes it much more eye-catching:
Use a topic line that incites urgency
When creating countdown emails, embrace a compelling topic line that captures the receiver’s consideration. It will entice recipients to open the e-mail and act once they can.
Utilizing phrases like pressing, hurry, or restricted time will assist encourage individuals to click on on the hyperlink and make the acquisition.
To ensure your topic line is optimized, you possibly can take a look at it with Omnisend’s free topic line tester. This software helps you test the effectiveness of your topic line earlier than sending your marketing campaign:
Use a transparent CTA button
Your countdown emails should embrace a transparent, distinguished name to motion button.
The CTA needs to be simply seen and stand out from the remainder of the e-mail so individuals can rapidly click on on it and make the most of the supply or promotion.
An excellent observe is protecting your CTA button under the countdown timer. Additionally, embrace a transparent and efficient conversion-focused message.
Use countdown timers for e-mail sparingly
To make countdown emails more practical, it’s important to strike a steadiness between creating pleasure and urgency. Nonetheless, keep away from overusing countdown timers in emails to keep up the specified impact.
Too many countdown timers can annoy individuals and make them unsubscribe out of your mailing checklist.
As an alternative, it’s greatest to make use of countdown timers solely throughout an important occasions or promotions.
5 greatest countdown timer in e-mail examples
These e-mail countdown timer examples exhibit how this software can be utilized to encourage motion out of your recipients:
1. Google
Google Retailer e-mail countdown timer builds anticipation with a minimalist Black Friday teaser e-mail. The countdown timer instantly units the stage, whereas daring typography highlights the sale begin date.
The darkish, dramatic product silhouettes create intrigue, positioning the e-mail as a sneak peek somewhat than a full reveal. A single name to motion button retains the design centered, encouraging customers to take a look at offers whereas creating a way of urgency and exclusivity:
2. Oakley
This Oakley promotional e-mail countdown timer highlights limited-time offers that finish at midnight. The daring countdown timer on the prime emphasizes urgency. Providing as much as 25% off on its merchandise, the time-limited low cost appears like one thing prospects gained’t need to miss.
The design makes use of sturdy, high-contrast textual content and imagery, with a classy mannequin carrying Oakley sun shades as the point of interest.
It additionally consists of a number of name to motion buttons, giving readers a number of methods to have interaction. The general format depicts urgency, exclusivity, and magnificence:
3. Chipotle
Chipotle’s sport day e-mail countdown timer promotes catering as the proper hassle-free answer for events.
With daring meals images, clear messaging, and a single, sturdy name to motion, it successfully highlights comfort and customization with the assertion, “Construct Your Personal Unfold.”
The messaging emphasizes Chipotle’s answer as a strategy to save time and host a hassle-free occasion. Whereas a countdown timer reinforces urgency, the general tone stays enjoyable and alluring, tying Chipotle catering on to the joy of the Large Recreation:
4. DataCamp
This e-mail countdown timer from DataCamp is a part of a Cyber Week promotion, providing 50% off programs. It grabs consideration with a daring headline and an e-mail countdown timer, emphasizing urgency earlier than the supply expires.
The e-mail then explains how learners can entry programs, observe their abilities, and construct initiatives. It reinforces the low cost with a badge and concludes a transparent CTA that invitations motion.
This can be a sensible strategy to steadiness urgency with professionalism and make the deal too good to disregard:
5. Made In Cookware
This e-mail countdown timer from Made In Cookware promotes its Presidents’ Day Sale with urgency by that includes a daring headline, “The Countdown is On!” and a reside countdown timer.
It highlights limited-time financial savings on cookware, together with a curated Blended Materials Bundle and particular person à la carte gadgets.
The message encourages stocking up earlier than the sale ends, bolstered with a robust red-colored name to motion button stating, “Final Likelihood to Save.” The e-mail additionally showcases personalised product suggestions to additional drive purchases:
Begin utilizing an e-mail countdown timer in the present day
Including an e-mail countdown timer to your campaigns is a confirmed strategy to create urgency, enhance engagement, and enhance e-mail ROI. A countdown timer for e-mail makes your campaigns extra compelling. It encourages subscribers to behave rapidly, whether or not it’s for deserted carts, promo codes, product launches, occasion invites, or birthday emails.
You may also experiment with a free countdown timer for e-mail or embed a countdown clock in e-mail campaigns for particular promotions.
Begin with Omnisend in the present day and obtain larger gross sales with countdown timers
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FAQs
Sure. Many e-mail advertising instruments allow you to embed a countdown timer as a picture or HTML snippet that updates in actual time.
Outlook doesn’t assist reside timers straight, however you should utilize third-party instruments like Mailtimers or Sendtric so as to add a GIF or HTML embed.
Gmail additionally doesn’t assist reside timers natively, however you should utilize an exterior software to generate a GIF or image-based timer and insert it in your emails.
