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Do countdown timers work?

by theoperator
31 replies
Do countdown timers work? Are they legal? And where can I find a simple script to use that doesn't involve using css or anything else. Just a regular free script to add in which you can set the amount of minutes or hours it's counting down from?
#countdown #timers #work
  • Profile picture of the author PPG19
    They work. They create urgency. You want to test where to place it for better results.
    Also you might want to test an offer with and without the timer first.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    Yes, they work and they're legal. However, you have to actually do what you say when timer expires. It's a classic form of "fear of missing out" marketing. The customer will feel like they're missing out on a good deal if the timer runs out which creates a little urgency and/or increases the chance they buy. Amazon does a form of this with their "order in the next 4 hours and select one day shipping to get to by..." on their product pages.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Gambino is right. Only employ this tactic if you plan to follow through with it. Don't tell me the sale ends in 6 hrs, 13 min, 24 seconds if you don't plan to actually end it at that time or if you just reset the timer. Once lied to, a prospect or customer will never be back. If I am lied to it makes me assume that the guy is going to lie to me about his product or service as well.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      Don't tell me the sale ends in 6 hrs, 13 min, 24 seconds if you don't plan to actually end it at that time or if you just reset the timer. Once lied to, a prospect or customer will never be back. If I am lied to it makes me assume that the guy is going to lie to me about his product or service as well.

      Steve
      Yep, there is a lot of abuse in this area. People just letting it go to zero and NOT changing the Offer in any way, shape, or form. I usually just write these people off altogether who do this. Too unethical for my taste


      - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author aizaku
    i dont use them but they seem to be every where.

    one might take it as a sign of there effectiveness

    -Ike Paz
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  • Profile picture of the author thegreatamazing
    One thing weird is that when some timer expires, you can still get the product lol. I don't know. It's like you are lying to people when you have that time and then they see the timer has restarted or the timer is on 0:0:0 but you can still click the buy now button.

    That's why I don't use them. But I think it's pretty still effective since I can see there's a lot of people who do this. (Especially on non-Internet Marketing markets)

    If you want to create urgency, you can just use words like "Limited seats available" or something like that.

    Cheers,
    Charles
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  • Profile picture of the author jinmin
    Countdown timer is a good marketing tool that create urgency. But use it with caution and responsibly. If the timer says the sale is going to end or increased in price in 2 hours time, make sure it really is. Otherwise it is going to backfire the product owner especially in a big launch.
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  • Profile picture of the author lhlouiscom
    Timer does create a sense of urgency, but it's kind of fake and always need to use it appropriately.
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  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    They work. But as everyone has stated, you need to use it legitimately.

    I think they are good for fire sales, where you slash the price, but for a limited time.
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  • Profile picture of the author theoperator
    ya where can I find a good one that's not using css and overly complicated?
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  • Profile picture of the author michaelkoehler92
    Yes they work very well! They get people to buy something now rather than think 'I'll do it later' and then forget
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  • Profile picture of the author chrisc58
    <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">

    <!-- This script and many more are available free online at -->
    <!-- The JavaScript Source!! JavaScriptSource.com - Free JavaScripts, Tutorials, Example Code, Reference, Resources, And Help -->
    <!-- Ben (BassClar89@aol.com) -->

    <!-- Begin
    <!--
    var g_iCount = new Number();

    // CHANGE THE COUNTDOWN NUMBER HERE - ADD ONE TO IT //
    var g_iCount = 13;

    function startCountdown(){
    if((g_iCount - 1) >= 0){
    g_iCount = g_iCount - 1;
    numberCountdown.innerText = '' + g_iCount;
    setTimeout('startCountdown()',1000);
    }
    }
    // End -->
    </script>
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    • Profile picture of the author theoperator
      Originally Posted by chrisc58 View Post

      <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">

      <!-- This script and many more are available free online at -->
      <!-- The JavaScript Source!! JavaScriptSource.com - Free JavaScripts, Tutorials, Example Code, Reference, Resources, And Help -->
      <!-- Ben (BassClar89@aol.com) -->

      <!-- Begin
      <!--
      var g_iCount = new Number();

      // CHANGE THE COUNTDOWN NUMBER HERE - ADD ONE TO IT //
      var g_iCount = 13;

      function startCountdown(){
      if((g_iCount - 1) >= 0){
      g_iCount = g_iCount - 1;
      numberCountdown.innerText = '' + g_iCount;
      setTimeout('startCountdown()',1000);
      }
      }
      // End -->
      </script>
      like are you saying put the whole thing in the "body area"? I tried both body and also in the header, nothing shows up? ???
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  • Profile picture of the author theoperator
    I found this one:

    But what I'm kinda looking for is one that will count down from 24 hours "regular digital clock" counter. So starting out looking like:
    24:00:00 but be able to set the hours that are left???? Can the one below be adjusted to do that?

    Or is that script way offf???? If you think you can fix it please do. (or if you know where you can find something like that) Thanks.


    ===========================

    <head>
    <title>Untitled Document</title>
    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
    <HEAD>

    <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">

    <!-- This script and many more are available free online at -->
    <!-- The JavaScript Source!! JavaScriptSource.com - Free JavaScripts, Tutorials, Example Code, Reference, Resources, And Help -->
    <!-- Ben -->

    <!-- Begin
    <!--
    var g_iCount = new Number();

    // CHANGE THE COUNTDOWN NUMBER HERE - ADD ONE TO IT //
    var g_iCount = 60;

    function startCountdown(){
    if((g_iCount - 1) >= 0){
    g_iCount = g_iCount - 1;
    numberCountdown.innerText = '00:00.' + g_iCount;
    setTimeout('startCountdown()',1000);
    }
    }
    // End -->
    </script>

    </HEAD>



    <BODY onLoad="startCountdown()">

    <!-- STEP THREE: Copy this code into the BODY of your HTML document -->

    <font face="Digital Readout Upright" color="blue" size="7">
    <div align="center" id="numberCountdown"></div>
    </font>

    <p><center>
    </center><p>

    <!-- Script Size: 1.33 KB -->
    </body>

    ================================
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Originally Posted by theoperator View Post

    Do countdown timers work? Are they legal? And where can I find a simple script to use that doesn't involve using css or anything else. Just a regular free script to add in which you can set the amount of minutes or hours it's counting down from?
    I'm assuming you mean if used in s way to create urgency like a deal is going to expire? If so, yes they can work and work well
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by thegreatamazing View Post


    If you want to create urgency, you can just use words like "Limited seats available" or something like that.

    Cheers,
    Charles
    This can be used with a different sort of "timer", where every time someone signs up, the counter goes down. It works best with a good reason why, such as 'our webinar host only has 99 seats available, and four of them are already committed to the presenters.'

    Originally Posted by theoperator View Post

    ya where can I find a good one that's not using css and overly complicated?
    I was going to suggest javascript.com. Just follow the steps. Just copying/pasting the whole code isn't going to work.
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  • Profile picture of the author William Waltham
    I never pay attention to the timers, because I've gone back to so many sites with a timer, and have seen the timer still there, like it re-sets when it counts down or something. So, they don't work for me, simply because I don't believe them. But, people who haven't been around IM a lot will probably believe them. That's the crowd you probably want to go for with those.
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  • Profile picture of the author Edwin Torres
    Yes they work. Yes they're legal. Scarcity is one of the best ways to get someone off their ass and buy from you.
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  • Profile picture of the author samuelbreezey
    They sure do!!

    As mentioned above they create URGENCY!

    Urgency then equates to panic buying lol

    However why not split test on your next launch? have one offer without using a countdown and the other using one and see which one yields better results

    I hope this helps
    Samuel
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  • Profile picture of the author PPG19
    Unfortunately what you all said it does happens and quite regurarly. Actually i would say most of the times. People leave those countdowns on foverever!

    Its hilarious to me that Instabuilder has even an option for the Countdown element called "evergreen" which means that it never expires!
    Good job Instabuilder
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  • Profile picture of the author anayb
    Internet users are getting smarter day-by-day. A timer can harm more than good when it comes to your business reputation. We're not Amazon, run a business like Amazon for 20+ years and then test anything including a timer, people will not doubt. I personally consider using a timer as a shady marketing practice.
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  • Profile picture of the author extrememan
    Yes they work and quite well when used properly. And thet are legal. It works for scarcity in your marketing and can increase sales dramatically on product launches. Unfortunately, I haven't heard of a reliable free script to use. Good luck and much success in your business
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  • Profile picture of the author SasaIlic
    Yes they work and they are legal. BUT you need to use it right. Don't overuse countdown timer and when you decide to use it to create the sense of urgency use it properly.

    Cheers
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    • Profile picture of the author PPG19
      Originally Posted by SasaIlic View Post

      Yes they work and they are legal. BUT you need to use it right. Don't overuse countdown timer and when you decide to use it to create the sense of urgency use it properly.

      Cheers
      I agree, exept for the fact that i have checked your site and your countdown that says you have 8 minutes left to buy didn't expired when it reached 0!!! Is back to 8 minutes again.

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  • Profile picture of the author nicolasmd2112
    The only problem I have with countdown timers is that in this market (IM/MMO) they're everywhere. So because I see them on nearly 75% of the sales pages I encounter I don't take them as seriously as I used to. This probably isn't the case in other niche markets however. They're just over used in the IM/MMO one....


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  • Profile picture of the author WarriorWasim
    Countdown timers work for sure. As it creates scarcity and experienced marketer may understand this tricks but it works well if you want to convert newbies. There are some marketers who always extend the time and on the other hand some reputed marketers strictly follow the Countdown Times to close the lunch. Thanks :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author anwar001
    They are overdone in the internet marketing niche I guess. So they are not as effective in this niche but in other niches where people are not used to seeing countdown timers a lot they can be very good in creating urgency and making people decide to buy on the spot in order not to miss the deal.

    Having said that, even in IM niche, if you do it right and you are truthful of keeping the offer open for a limited time, it can still work to your advantage.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by anwar001 View Post

      They are overdone in the internet marketing niche I guess. So they are not as effective in this niche but in other niches where people are not used to seeing countdown timers a lot they can be very good in creating urgency and making people decide to buy on the spot in order not to miss the deal.

      Having said that, even in IM niche, if you do it right and you are truthful of keeping the offer open for a limited time, it can still work to your advantage.
      As with many other tactics, the fault does not lie in the tactic itself. It lies with faulty execution.

      Countdown timers do work when they're taken seriously. I know several successful marketers who use them, and the one thing they have in common is this:

      When the timer hits zero, the offer will close or the price will go up, just as they promised. When people go back to the offer and find the higher price, or the offer replaced with a waiting list, they take the next offer more seriously.
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  • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
    They absolutely work. Like other have mentioned... they create a high level of urgency. Without urgency, there is a less likely chance someone will buy from you. They know they can always come back and buy from you.

    I suggest you watch this video and read the page to get a better understanding - Thrive Ultimatum: The Ultimate Scarcity Marketing Plugin
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  • Profile picture of the author amaziff
    They can help but they need to be done right and professional. They also should offer some real advantages for potential customers (special offer for limited time...). It is also important to find some smart way of how to implement them (it can't "push" too much on potential customer).
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  • Profile picture of the author TenaciousGrease
    Originally Posted by theoperator View Post

    Do countdown timers work? Are they legal? And where can I find a simple script to use that doesn't involve using css or anything else. Just a regular free script to add in which you can set the amount of minutes or hours it's counting down from?
    Yes they work, they effectively count down from the time you set to Zero.
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