--- title: 3 Ways Merchants can Create a Sense of Urgency description: We all fall victim to procrastination; it is very tempting to put off things today, that we think ca... image: https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/last-minute_100x100-Jan-22-2023-11-52-07-0836-PM-1-1-1.png --- [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) [![Website Magazine Logo](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png?width=586&height=145&name=gradient-regular@3x-1.png "Website Magazine Logo")](http://Website%20Services,%20Inc.) - [About](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about) - [FAQs](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/faq) - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial Staff](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Resources](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com) - [Newsletter](https://www.websitemagazine.com/newsletter-sign-up) - More - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) Search - [Latest](https://www.websitemagazine.com) - [Design](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-design) - [Development](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-development) - [SEO](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo) - [Ecommerce](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce) - [Content](https://www.websitemagazine.com/content) - [Marketing](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing) - [Advertising](https://www.websitemagazine.com/advertising) - [Email](https://www.websitemagazine.com/email) - [Infographics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/infographics) - [View All Topics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/channels) # 3 Ways Merchants can Create a Sense of Urgency ![Allison Howen](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Allison%20Howen.jpeg) [by Allison Howen](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/author/allison-howen) 17 Feb, 2014 - - - [mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/3-ways-merchants-can-create-a-sense-of-urgency](mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/3-ways-merchants-can-create-a-sense-of-urgency) - Link Copied! ![3 Ways Merchants can Create a Sense of Urgency](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/last-minute_100x100-Jan-22-2023-11-52-07-0836-PM-1-1-1.png) **We all fall victim to procrastination; it is very tempting to put off things today, that we think can be done tomorrow.**   Unfortunately, this common tendency affects ecommerce conversion rates, as many shoppers don't feel a sense of urgency to complete their online purchases -resulting in abandoned shopping carts and lost conversion opportunities for merchants.   Luckily, Internet retailers can discourage consumer procrastination in a variety of ways by creating a sense of urgency and encouraging immediate action.   ## Limited Time Offer The most common way to create a sense of urgency is with limited-time sales. Merchants often create this type of marketing promotion around holidays or special events. To influence consumers to make a purchase during a limited-time sale, merchants should promote the sale in all marketing channels, including social, email, online and offline. Moreover, merchants need to use time-sensitive words and phrases to trigger conversions, such as "limited time only" or "24-hour sale." [Macy's](https://www.macys.com/), for example, is currently promoting a Presidents' Day Sale prominently on its landing page. Both the site's copy and design makes it impossible for visitors to miss the promotion, as the sale and its end date are given prime, above-the-fold real estate.   ![](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/macyslimitedtime-3-1-1-1.jpg?width=630&height=493&name=macyslimitedtime-3-1-1-1.jpg)   --- ## Limited Inventory Limiting the duration of a sale isn't the only way to create a sense of urgency. In fact, merchants can also influence purchasing decisions by notifying consumers about limited inventory for popular products. This strategy is seen most frequently during the winter holidays, as consumers don't want to miss out on the opportunity to put a special item under the Christmas tree. That said, merchants can also leverage this strategy to clear out extra inventory, as [doggyloot](https://doggyloot.com/deals) did with its clearance sale. The pet retailer used the phrase "limited quantities available" in the subject line of its email campaign to encourage subscribers to take immediate action. In addition, merchants can use phrases like "while supplies last" in their marketing copy or put the number of items available (3 left!) on product pages to encourage consumers to make instant purchases.   ![](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/doggylootlimitedinventory-3-1-1-1.jpg?width=630&height=465&name=doggylootlimitedinventory-3-1-1-1.jpg)   --- ## Ordering Now Bonus Consumers love to feel special, which is why offering them incentives to make immediate purchases is a great way to close the sale. [Seattle Coffee Gear](https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/), for example, provides unique offers to site visitors as a way to encourage them to complete purchases. In order to deliver tailored offers to site visitors, merchants can leverage platforms like [Fanplayr](https://www.fanplayr.com/products/) and [Spring Metrics](https://www.springmetrics.com/smart-offers/). Both platforms enable merchants to deliver unique offers to consumers based on behavior, which can help merchants decrease shopping cart abandonment and increase average order values at the same time.   ![](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/buynowbonus-3-1-1-1.png?width=469&height=240&name=buynowbonus-3-1-1-1.png)   --- ![Allison Howen](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Allison%20Howen.jpeg) [Allison Howen](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/author/allison-howen) I'm a creative and adaptable journalist with experience in both print and digital media. Some of my best attributes include my social media management, writing and video editing skills. Skills: • Managing social media accounts with tools like HootSuite and Sprout Social • Creating and marketing content for print and digital media • Editing videos with software like Avid Media Composer • Composing articles with Adobe InCopy • Strong knowledge of AP Style • Skilled at interviewing and writing • Able to work on a deadline and produce quality results • Organized and detail oriented • Innovative problem solver - - - [mailto:ahowen@websitemagazine.com](mailto:ahowen@websitemagazine.com) #### Popular Post ### [The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty ![The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/package_delivery-1-1.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/the-impact-of-late-and-inaccurate-deliveries-on-customer-loyalty) ### [Top 50 Customer Relationship Management Solutions ![Top 50 Customer Relationship Management Solutions](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-22-2023-11-50-42-2994-PM-Apr-10-2023-01-15-57-0982-PM-2-2.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/top-50-customer-relationship-management-solutions) ### [Square Cash Now Available for Business Use ![Square Cash Now Available for Business Use](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/squarecash-mini-Jan-22-2023-11-46-25-0939-PM-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/square-cash-now-available-for-business-use) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter! [![](https://a.impactradius-go.com/display-ad/13053-1438301)](https://semrush.sjv.io/c/3976891/1438301/13053)![](https://imp.pxf.io/i/3976891/1438301/13053) #### Latest in Ecommerce [![WordPress vs. Shopify: Which One to Choose in 2023?](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Shopify-vs-WordPress-1-1.jpg) WordPress vs. Shopify: Which One to Choose in 2023?](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/wordpress-vs.-shopify-which-one-to-choose-in-2023) [![Just Practice: 4 Steps to Turn Visitors into Customers and Clicks into Cash](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/happyshopper-1-1.jpg) Just Practice: 4 Steps to Turn Visitors into Customers and Clicks into Cash](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/just-practice-4-steps-to-turn-visitors-into-customers-and-clicks-into-cash) [![The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/package_delivery-1-1.jpg) The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/the-impact-of-late-and-inaccurate-deliveries-on-customer-loyalty) [![2023 Master List of Ecommerce Solutions](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shopping-cart-icon-Jan-22-2023-11-53-37-0814-PM-Apr-10-2023-01-07-48-8582-PM-1-1.png) 2023 Master List of Ecommerce Solutions](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/master-list-of-ecommerce-solutions) [![Investing in the Online Fraud Fight](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-22-2023-11-53-50-0583-PM-Apr-10-2023-01-16-02-7173-PM-3-3.png) Investing in the Online Fraud Fight](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/investing-in-the-online-fraud-fight) [![How to Be Successful on Amazon](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/amazonaa85f88ec5e163acbc5dff0000ff1aaa-Jan-22-2023-11-53-06-1544-PM-2-2-2.png) How to Be Successful on Amazon](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/how-to-be-successful-on-amazon) [![gradient-regular@3x](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x.png?width=128&height=128&name=gradient-regular@3x.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/) 999 E Touhy Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018   [info@websitemagazine.com](mailto:info@websitemagazine.com) [(888) 7WEBMAG](tel:18887932624) [(312) 313-6576](tel:13123136576) About - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) Resources Membership - Login - Subscribe Signup for our newsletter © 2026 Website Magazine. All Rights Reserved - [Privacy Policy](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/privacy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Allison Howen", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/author/allison-howen" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-01T20:26:58.300Z", "datePublished" : "2014-02-17T06:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "3 Ways Merchants can Create a Sense of Urgency", "image" : [ "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/last-minute_100x100-Jan-22-2023-11-52-07-0836-PM-1-1-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/3-ways-merchants-can-create-a-sense-of-urgency", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png" }, "name" : "Website Services, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Allison Howen" } ], "headline" : "3 Ways Merchants can Create a Sense of Urgency", "publisher" : { "name" : "Website Magazine", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/" } } ```