=== Offer Countdown Timer for WooCommerce ===
Contributors: queuecommerce, riko910
Tags: woocommerce, countdown timer, flash sale, limited time offer, urgency
Requires at least: 5.8
Tested up to: 6.9
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.1.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Drive urgency on your WooCommerce store with live sale countdown timers, five ready-made templates, and smart global controls—no coding required.

== Description ==

**Offer Countdown Timer for WooCommerce** helps you convert browsers into buyers by showing a clear, real-time countdown to the end of your promotion. Perfect for **flash sales**, **seasonal deals**, **clearance events**, and **limited-time pricing**.

Whether you run a small shop or a busy catalog, you can enable a professional countdown on individual products and keep messaging consistent—or override the look per product when you need a special campaign.

= Why store owners choose this plugin =

* **Urgency that sells** — Visitors see exactly how long the offer lasts, which supports conversion-focused merchandising and “scarcity” marketing done ethically.
* **Built for WooCommerce** — Works with your existing products and sale schedules; timers respect your product workflow.
* **Lightweight frontend** — Countdown markup and styles load only when a timer is actually active on the product page (and when the feature is enabled globally).

= Key features =

* **Global on/off** — Turn every storefront countdown off from one setting when you need a quiet site-wide pause.
* **Configurable sale cleanup** — Optionally keep the WooCommerce sale price after the timer ends, or automatically clear it (your choice).
* **Five countdown templates** — From classic circular units to gradient and pill styles; preview them under *Offer Countdown → Templates*.
* **Default template + per-product override** — Set a store default, then pick a different template for specific products when you want a unique layout.
* **Custom message placement** — Show your promo line **above** or **below** the timer for better readability and branding.
* **Product meta box** — Enable the timer, set the end date/time, optional message, and template—right from the product editor.
* **Responsive layout** — Timer blocks scale for phones, tablets, and desktops.
* **Translation-ready** — Text strings are ready for your language files.

= Ideal for =

* WooCommerce stores running time-limited discounts  
* Merchants who want a **countdown clock** without a heavy page builder  
* Teams that need **per-product countdown timers** with optional global guardrails  

= Privacy =

This plugin does not require visitor accounts for the countdown and does not add tracking cookies for the timer itself. Standard WordPress and WooCommerce privacy practices apply on your site.

== Installation ==

= Automatic installation (recommended) =

1. In WordPress, go to **Plugins → Add New**.
2. Search for **Offer Countdown Timer for WooCommerce** (if distributed from WordPress.org) or upload the ZIP from your vendor.
3. Click **Install Now**, then **Activate**.
4. Open **Offer Countdown → Settings** to review global options.
5. Edit a product, enable the timer in the **Offer Countdown Timer** box, set the end date, and save.

= Manual installation =

1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/offer-countdown-time/`, or upload the ZIP under **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**.
2. Activate the plugin through the **Plugins** menu.
3. Complete WooCommerce setup if prompted, then configure **Offer Countdown** and your products.

= Requirements =

* WordPress 5.8 or higher  
* PHP 7.4 or higher  
* WooCommerce active  

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Where do I configure global options? =

Go to **Offer Countdown → Settings** in your WordPress admin. From there you can enable or disable timers site-wide, control sale-price removal when an offer ends, choose the default template, and set whether the custom message appears above or below the timer.

= How do I set up a countdown on one product? =

Edit the product, open the **Offer Countdown Timer** meta box, check **Enable Countdown Timer**, set the **Offer End Date** (and optional **Custom Message**), then update the product. Pick **Timer template** or leave **Use global default**.

= Can each product have a different end time? =

Yes. Every product stores its own end date and optional message. Templates can also be overridden per product.

= What happens when the timer hits zero on the product page? =

The banner hides smoothly. If sale-price removal is enabled in settings, WooCommerce sale data can be cleared according to the plugin logic; if disabled, prices stay as you set them in WooCommerce.

= Can I turn off all timers without editing each product? =

Yes. Uncheck **Enable countdown timer** on **Offer Countdown → Settings**. No frontend timers are shown while it is off.

= How many designs are included? =

Five templates are included. Preview them under **Offer Countdown → Templates**; Template 1 is expanded by default in that screen.

= Is the countdown mobile-friendly? =

Yes. Layouts use flexible units and breakpoints so the timer remains readable on small screens.

= Does it work with variable and simple products? =

Yes. The timer is shown on the product page for supported WooCommerce product types where the hook runs.

= Which timezone is used? =

The countdown aligns with your WordPress **Settings → General → Timezone** and the existing frontend time handling in the plugin.

= Is it translation-ready? =

Yes. Strings use the `offer-countdown-time` text domain for localization.

== Screenshots ==

1. Global settings: enable/disable timers, sale cleanup, default template, message position.
2. Templates screen: five preview styles with Template 1 open by default.
3. Product meta box: enable timer, template override, message, and end date.
4. Storefront example: live countdown on a product page.

== Changelog ==

= 1.1.0 =
* Added: Global enable/disable for all storefront countdowns.
* Added: Option to disable automatic removal of sale price when the offer ends.
* Added: Five countdown templates with admin preview page (Template 1 open by default).
* Added: Default template setting plus per-product template override.
* Added: Custom message position (above or below the timer).
* Improved: Conditional page reload when the timer ends (only when sale removal is enabled).
* Improved: Admin menu **Offer Countdown** with Settings and Templates submenu.

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release: WooCommerce integration, live countdown, product meta box.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.1.0 =
After updating, visit **Offer Countdown → Settings** to confirm defaults, then spot-check a product page. Existing products keep their meta; new options apply immediately.
