Greetings, fellow bloggers!
If you’re looking for a Countdown Timer to use for a promotional event, then this post is for you.
I recently discovered the Ultimate Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks Plugin by Ultimate Blocks, and I’m delighted to share it with you today! ♥
Before we jump in… have you embraced the new Gutenberg editor? There are so many awesome features, but it gets better. There are numerous Plugins we can use with Gutenberg. Harnessing these tools together offers amazing options to create engaging content. AND they are free and super easy to use. Ultimate Blocks is one Plugin that you’ll want to check out for sure.
Ultimate Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks Plugin by Ultimate Blocks, has numerous features that I’m definitely going to use (and blog about ;)), but in today’s post, I’m setting out to introduce the Countdown Block.
Countdown Timer
For this post, I created a Countdown Timer to highlight the days remaining in my Etsy Shop Sale! ♥
Etsy Shop Sale
Ideas For Use
Some ideas for using a Countdown Timer are:
- Sale Promotion during the Sale Event
- Promoting a limited, upcoming Sale Event
- Promoting a Product Launch Party
- Upcoming Book Release
- Upcoming Bookcover Reveal
- Promoting Book Pre-Order Date
- Blog Tour Kick-off
- Book Tour
- Book Signing Event
- And More!
The Shop ETSY Sale Button above and the Ultimate Blocks Plugin Button below were created using the Button feature available via the Ultimate Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks Plugin, as well. ♥
If you haven’t added the Plugin, you can find it here ~ Ultimate Blocks Plugin or click below.
Ready? Let’s jump in.
Once you add the Ultimate Blocks Plugin, you’ll see it listed in your Block Categories, as shown in the image below.
First, we add a Block. If you’re not sure how to add Blocks in Gutenberg, you’re most welcome to pop by my previous post ~ Getting Started with Gutenberg ~ A How-To Guide for Creating Engaging Blog Posts with Gutenberg.
Let’s open Ultimate Blocks.
When we open Ultimate Blocks, we’ll see a variety of options. For this tutorial, we’re using the Option ~ Countdown.
Once we add the Countdown Block, we’ll see a Countdown Template as shown below. We can also add Text to show after the countdown is over.
To the right, you’ll see a list of elements we’ll be using. Each element has its own drop-down menu.
If you don’t see it, click on the Settings tab on the right of the Publish tab. Then click on Block.
We have three Countdown Templates (located in the top editor) to choose from:
- Odometer
- Circular
- Regular
Odometer Countdown
Let’s look at the Odometer Countdown.
Under the Time Expiration tab, we select our end date and time for the countdown. When we enter the date and time, the countdown will begin.
Circular Countdown
We can also choose the Circular Countdown template, as displayed in the image below.
Under the Circle Color tab, we can choose which colour we’d like to use, or choose/enter a custom colour. I used a custom colour.
Under the Timer Expiration tab, we select our end date and time for the Countdown.
In the below image, I selected Vivid Cyan Blue from the template colours, as another example.
Regular Countdown
We can also choose the Regular Countdown template, as displayed below.
And we’re done!
I love the Countdown Timer feature available via the Ultimate Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks Plugin. Its ease-of-use and design are just what I was searching for. I hope this tool proves helpful for your promotional and marketing ideas.
Have a tip you’d like to share? A marketing idea? Please feel free to share in the comments below.
Until next time… happy connecting, my friends! ♥
I haven’t been brave enough to try Gutenberg yet, but after learning on Hugh’s blog that classic editor will be obsolete before too long, it’s time to make the leap. This countdown would be awesome to use before my book release in February. Thanks, Natalie!
Cheering you on, Teri! It’s an awesome editor. Check out my blog post for tips on getting started. You’ll love it, I promise! Thanks for stopping by today. Happy to help in any way. 🙂
https://natalieducey.com/2019/04/26/embracing-gutenberg-a-bloggers-journey-one-block-at-a-time-%EF%BB%BF/
I have not seen a countdown timer before Natalie. I always learn something new from your posts.
Wonderful to know, Brigid. This a fantastic Plugin. I’ll be sharing more posts for sure. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing, too. Have a lovely day!
Your knowledge is amazing, Natalie! Thanks for sharing!
Most welcome, Jan! Always a joy to learn and share. 🙂 Happy Wednesday!
Great ideas, Natalie. I love the idea of counting down to a book release or blog tour. I have to serious consider switching over to Gutenberg someday soon since all the cool stuff is over there. 🙂 Thanks for the push!
Cheering you on, Diana! Many more posts to come. I keep finding these little goodies and love sharing them. Thanks for stopping by, as always. Best wishes across the miles. 🙂
Natalie, what would we do without you?!😀 I haven’t discovered Ultimate Blocks and had no idea about a countdown timer! Thank you so much for your advice and I’m off to explore more. I’m using Gutenberg but realise in just its most basic format. Yesterday I stumbled across how to add a contact form … something I’ve been looking for ages! Many thanks for your excellent posts!
Thank you, Annika! I love sharing these tips as I learn them. Isn’t blogging an amazing opportunity to connect and pay-it-forward?! I love it. Wishing you a beautiful day! 🙂
Exactly, it is fantastic to help each other. 😀 I’ve had a wonderful day, and soon time to make dinner! I still can’t get used to it being dark at four!
I need to have an event, just so I can use this countdown timer! 🙂
Haha… I have so many ideas, Jim! This timer is super easy to set up. I love it! Thanks for stopping by, as always. Wishing you a fabulous day! 🙂
wishing you a great day as well, Natalie!
Fantastic find for the Gutenberg users Natalie 🙂 xx
Thank you, Debby! I’m so looking forward to when you jump aboard the Gutenberg train. It’s an awesome editor, I promise! 🙂
Lol, you and Colleen just love it. And careful what you wish for. If I take the plunge, I will be on you a lot for help. I’m better where I am for now LOL <3
Thank you, Natalie! This will be very useful. I think Gutenberg should pay you for all these great instructional posts. 😉
I love sharing these tips, Vashti. I used to develop and facilitate curriculum, so it must likely stems from there. 🙂 Thanks again for your lovely comment, as always. Wishing you a fabulous day! xo