A countdown timer in checkout creates urgency for flash sales, shipping cutoffs, or limited offers. In Checkout Plus, you add it through a Custom Banner: write your message, then insert a Countdown timer dynamic value so shoppers see a live countdown in the banner.
Watch the walkthrough above, or follow the steps below.
Before you start
Checkout Plus installed on your Shopify store
Access to the Shopify Checkout Editor (checkout placement requires Shopify Plus; Thank You and Order Status pages work on all plans)
Your offer copy ready (for example: sale name, discount code, and how long the timer should run)
Step 1: Open Custom Banner settings in Checkout Plus
In Shopify admin, open Apps → Checkout Plus.
Under App blocks, select Customize your Checkout (look for “custom messaging” and app blocks).
On Browse checkout app blocks, search for
banner.Open Custom Banner Message and select Manage.
Step 2: Create or select a banner profile
Open Custom Banner Advanced Settings.
Choose a profile tab (you have up to 5 independent profiles). Name or use a profile dedicated to the timer (for example, Profile 2 — Countdown Timer).
Optionally set a Banner title.
Leave Banner Message ready for the next step.
Set Banner Style (Color) (for example,
infoor another style that matches your brand).Set Text Alignment if needed (
start, center, or end).
Step 3: Insert the Countdown timer dynamic value
Next to Banner Message, select Insert dynamic value.
In the Insert dynamic value dialog, under Rich content, select Countdown timer.
Select Insert.
Add your surrounding copy in Banner Message so the timer reads naturally — for example:
Black Friday Sale! Use code BFCM before our sale ends in+ the inserted countdown timer token.Configure any timer options that appear after insert (look for duration, deadline, or display format fields on the inserted value or adjacent settings).
Select Save.
Tip: Dynamic values also support cart totals, dates, links, and styled text — keep the banner to one clear offer plus the timer.
Step 4: Add the Custom Banner block in the Checkout Editor
From Advanced Settings, select Open Editor, or in Shopify admin go to Settings → Checkout → Customize.
On the checkout step where the timer should appear (often Information), select Add block.
Search for
bannerand choose Custom Banner under Checkout Plus.In the block settings on the right:
Set Custom Banner Settings Profile to the profile you configured (the Countdown Timer profile).
Confirm Banner title / Banner Message if editing in the editor.
Set Banner Style and any Show Banner Based On conditions if you only want the timer for certain carts, customers, or products.
Optionally enable Include block in Shop Pay under Checkout behavior.
Select Save.
Step 5: Preview and test
In the Checkout Editor preview, confirm the banner shows your message and a ticking time (for example,
9:48).From the storefront, add a product to cart and open checkout.
Confirm the timer appears above Contact (or wherever you placed the block), counts down, and still looks correct after refresh between checkout steps.
When the timer reaches zero, confirm the expired behavior matches what you configured (hidden banner or expired messaging, if available).
Tips
Pair the timer with a real deadline so shoppers trust it.
Use one timer per screen — multiple countdowns compete for attention.
Use Show Banner Based On rules when the offer only applies to certain products, tags, or markets.
Prefer short copy: one line of context + the timer.
Troubleshooting
Banner doesn’t show: Confirm the Custom Banner block is added and saved in the Checkout Editor, and that Custom Banner Settings Profile points at the profile you edited.
Timer doesn’t appear in the message: Re-open Insert dynamic value → Rich content → Countdown timer, insert again, then Save the Advanced Settings profile.
Banner missing in Shop Pay: In the block settings, turn on Include block in Shop Pay, then save.
Wrong profile content: You have up to five profiles — verify the editor is using the same profile you configured in Advanced Settings.
Can’t place on checkout: Checkout placement requires Shopify Plus; place the same block on Thank You or Order Status if you’re on another plan.
Need help? Contact Checkout Plus support from the app (Need Help? / Contact Us), and include a screenshot of your Custom Banner Advanced Settings and Checkout Editor block settings.
Ready to try it? Install Checkout Plus from the Shopify App Store.