Build your first Countdown Timer
Once the app is installed and activated, you can access Markivo Countdown Timer in the following ways:
- Log in to your Genstore admin.
- In the left-hand menu, go to Apps -> Markivo Countdown Timer.
- If the app isn’t pinned to your sidebar, you can find it under the Installed section on the Apps page and click to open it.
Select countdown type
Markivo Countdown Timer supports multiple countdown styles to help you highlight limited-time offers at key touchpoints and drive higher conversions. You can choose the most suitable type based on your specific marketing needs:
| Countdown type | Display location | Recommended use cases | Business impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner countdown | Top or bottom of the page | Storewide sales, discounts, major events | - Create sitewide urgency- Maintain ongoing visibility- Increase campaign exposure and conversions |
| Product countdown | Near the Add to cart button on product pages | Flash sales, new product launches | - Drive product-level urgency- Support faster decisions- Boost product conversions |
| Cart countdown | Cart drawer or cart page | Reduce cart abandonment, speed up checkout | - Shorten decision time- Lower abandonment rates- Improve checkout conversion |
| Collection countdown | On collection pages | Clearance sales, featured promotions | - Create urgency for dedicated sale pages- Increase clicks and conversions on promotional collections |
TIP
Currently, countdowns can only be displayed in fixed locations on your site. Fully custom page placements or content management system (CMS) pages are not yet supported. If you have additional customization needs, feel free to share your feedback — we’re actively expanding these capabilities!
Set countdown logic and schedule
In the Content tab, configure the key countdown details:
- Timer name (for internal use only)
- Title (e.g., Hurry up!)
- Subtitle (e.g., Sale ends in:)
- Timer type:
- Date countdown: Set the start and end time for the countdown.
- Fixed min and sec: The countdown starts when a visitor lands on the page, creating personalized urgency for each customer.
- When timer ends:
- Hide countdown (default): Automatically hides the countdown once expired.
- Do nothing: The countdown remains displayed but no longer counts down.
- Recurring countdown (available for cart countdown): Automatically restarts the countdown after expiration based on the preset time.
TIP
To ensure countdowns display accurately across global customers, we use a unified time storage and local display system:
- The time you set in the admin (start and end time) follows your local system time — no need to manually convert time zones.
- The system converts your input into UTC for consistent storage.
- Customers will see the countdown adjusted to their own local time zone.
Example: If you set the countdown to start on January 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM Beijing time, buyers in Vancouver will see it begin at 4:00 PM on December 31, 2024 local time.
Customize styles to match your brand
In the Layout tab, you can tailor the visual appearance of your countdown components based on your branding and campaign needs. The customization options vary slightly depending on the countdown type but generally cover:
- Container styles: Customize background colors, border radius, and in some cases, background images.
- Text styles: Adjust font size, color schemes, and alignment for titles and descriptions.
- Number styles: Control font size, color mode, and color scheme for countdown digits.
All changes are previewed in real time for easier configuration and faster design adjustments.
Set display location for countdown
In the Settings tab, choose where the countdown will appear:
- All pages: Display the countdown across your entire store — ideal for sitewide promotions.
- Homepage: Display only on the homepage — perfect for major events or brand campaigns.
- Product pages: Display countdowns on product detail pages. You can further specify:
- All product pages
- Specific product pages
- All products within selected collections
- Collection pages: Display countdowns on collection or promotion landing pages. You can further specify:
- All collections
- Specific collections