Countdown Timers in Email

[Raja]

Countdown timers can make email more compelling, but using complex code like JavaScript is not practical in email abd a Gif image has limited functionality. 

However, there few third-party tools to add countdown timers to email without any technical skills. But the problem with using a third-party tool is that the free version comes with their branding (logo, link) while the paid version has a monthly cost. 

Can you suggest an inbuilt tool/solution in Marketo or a Launch Point Partner that can help to achieve? 

[SanfordWhiteman]

There’s no built-in solution in Marketo. And most LaunchPoint partners are commercial products.

Of course you could build your own app using open-source tools for a relatively low cost, but it still wouldn’t be free. You’d need to host it somewhere. And you’ll quickly note why such products cost $ (i.e. if you send a million emails you get a half-million simultaneous web requests).

[Jo_Pitts1 · Accepted solution]

@Raja ,

JavaScript can't be used in emails at all - it isn't that it's not practical.  It's that it doesn't work.

The reality is that a countdown timer will still be a GIF.  It'll just be dynamically generated for the time the reader has opened the email (and if it gets cached, even then it won't be correct for any time the email is viewed except the first time).

If you rely on the countdown timer too heavily and you have a business oriented customer base then all those using older versions of Windows Outlook, then they won't be able to view it.

What is the compelling use case?

Regards

Jo

[SanfordWhiteman]

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The reality is that a countdown timer will still be a GIF.  It'll just be dynamically generated for the time the reader has opened the email (and if it gets cached, even then it won't be correct for any time the email is viewed except the first time).

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Well, it‘ll still be correct because every time you fetch it the starting frame is based on the offset between now and the go-time.

But yes, the incompatibility with Outlook is more than a minor detail!

[Jo_Pitts1]

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@SanfordWhiteman wrote:

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The reality is that a countdown timer will still be a GIF.  It'll just be dynamically generated for the time the reader has opened the email (and if it gets cached, even then it won't be correct for any time the email is viewed except the first time).

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Well, it‘ll still be correct because every time you fetch it the starting frame is based on the offset between now and the go-time.

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Yes, but is it fetched every time?  I am pretty certain some email clients cache images.  

[SanfordWhiteman]

Doesn't matter if it's cached as long as it starts from the right timestamp.

[Zoe_Forman]

Hi @Raja  Is crediting the timer app that bad? we often credit photographers or sources of data.

Personally, I don't get distracted by such credits of a third-party app or source.

If you do want a custom version then you can pay for the vanity.

I use MailTimers app in emails for countdown to events/product launches etc. Also, run a similar app on an event landing page so you can always direct the customer to a LP.