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Add real urgency to WhatsApp campaigns by attaching live countdown timers to your message templates. This article shows you how to choose the right timer type (fixed, recurring, or dynamic) and publish limited-time offers that drive instant action.
Countdown Timers in WhatsApp Messages let you place the same GHL Customer Care timers you already use in emails, funnels, and websites inside a WhatsApp template button. When a recipient taps the button, they are routed to your “active” or “expired” link based on the timer’s live status, giving every message a built-in deadline that boosts click-through and conversions.
The feature supports fixed-date timers, recurring timers, and fully personalized dynamic timers that start for each contact the moment the WhatsApp is sent or delivered.
Key Benefits of Countdown Timers in WhatsApp
Urgency & Conversions: Real‑time countdowns motivate immediate action and purchases.
Multiple Timer Types: Choose Fixed, Recurring, or Dynamic timers to match your promotion model.
Active/Expired Routing: Automatically send visitors to the correct page before and after expiry.
Workflow Branching: Branch automations based on timer button clicks.
Supported Countdown Timer Types
Selecting the right timer type ensures your message, page, and automation stay in sync across time zones and send times.
Fixed: ends at a specific date/time (for events like Black Friday). Best for one‑time campaigns with a hard deadline.
Recurring: repeats on a schedule (daily/weekly). Ideal for evergreen or “weekly special” offers.
Dynamic: personal, per‑contact duration that starts on a trigger (e.g., message sent or delivered). Great for personalized, time-limited offers like “Redeem within 12 hours of receiving this message.”
How to Add a Timer in a WhatsApp Template
Follow these steps to attach a timer to your template, configure Dynamic behavior, and guarantee proper routing before and after expiry.
Step 1: Navigate to WhatsApp Templates
Navigate to Settings → WhatsApp
In the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tab
Step 1: Navigate to WhatsApp Templates (image 1 of 6)What this shows Navigate to Settings → WhatsApp In the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tabWhat this showsIllustrates the "Step 1: Navigate to WhatsApp Templates" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates".This screenshot appears in the "Step 1: Navigate to WhatsApp Templates" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates". The text alongside this image reads: Navigate to Settings → WhatsApp In the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tab. This part of the guide covers 1 field, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Click the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit Fill in Template Details including Name, Category, Language, Header, Body and Footer.Image 1 of 6Where to goNavigate to Settings → WhatsApp In the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tab
Fields in this part of the guideIn the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tab
Buttons and menus referencedSettingsWhatsAppTemplates
Next stepClick the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit Fill in Template Details including Name, Category, Language, Header, Body and Footer.All 2 steps in this procedure
Navigate to Settings → WhatsApp
In the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tab
Step 2: Open a Template
Click the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit
Fill in Template Details including Name, Category, Language, Header, Body and Footer.
Step 2: Open a Template (image 2 of 6)What this shows Click the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit Fill in Template Details including…What this showsIllustrates the "Step 2: Open a Template" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates".This screenshot appears in the "Step 2: Open a Template" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates". The text alongside this image reads: Click the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit Fill in Template Details including Name, Category, Language, Header, Body and Footer. Immediately after, the guide continues: Under the Button section, click the + Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdown.Image 2 of 6What to fill inClick the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit Fill in Template Details including Name, Category, Language, Header, Body and Footer.
Buttons and menus referenced+ Create TemplateTemplateDetails
Next stepUnder the Button section, click the + Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdownAll 2 steps in this procedure
Click the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit
Fill in Template Details including Name, Category, Language, Header, Body and Footer.
Step 3: Add the Countdown Timer Button
Under the Button section, click the +Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdown
Step 3: Add the Countdown Timer Button (image 3 of 6)What this shows Under the Button section, click the + Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdownWhat this showsIllustrates the "Step 3: Add the Countdown Timer Button" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates".This screenshot appears in the "Step 3: Add the Countdown Timer Button" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates". The text alongside this image reads: Under the Button section, click the + Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdown. Immediately after, the guide continues: Open the Timer dropdown and either select an existing timer or click + Create New.Image 3 of 6What to chooseUnder the Button section, click the + Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdown
Buttons and menus referencedButton+Add ButtonCountdown Timer
Next stepOpen the Timer dropdown and either select an existing timer or click + Create New.
Step 4: Choose or Create a Timer
Open the Timer dropdown and either select an existing timer or click + Create New.
Step 4: Choose or Create a Timer (image 4 of 6)What this shows Open the Timer dropdown and either select an existing timer or click + Create New.What this showsIllustrates the "Step 4: Choose or Create a Timer" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates".This screenshot appears in the "Step 4: Choose or Create a Timer" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates". The text alongside this image reads: Open the Timer dropdown and either select an existing timer or click + Create New. Immediately after, the guide continues: After selecting the timer, click Edit Timer under Timer URL. This opens the timer settings where you can adjust.Image 4 of 6Where to goOpen the Timer dropdown and either select an existing timer or click + Create New.
Buttons and menus referencedTimer+ Create New
Next stepAfter selecting the timer, click Edit Timer under Timer URL. This opens the timer settings where you can adjust:
Step 5: Configure the Timer
After selecting the timer, click Edit Timer under Timer URL. This opens the timer settings where you can adjust:
Timer Type: Fixed, Recurring, or Dynamic.
Countdown duration: set the duration or specific end time.
Start timer when: For Dynamic Timers, choose a trigger such as:
WhatsApp message is sent
WhatsApp message is delivered
Active link: the live offer/checkout/booking page used before expiry.
Expired link: a fallback page shown after expiry (e.g., waitlist or alternative offer).
Step 5: Configure the Timer (image 5 of 6)What this shows Timer Type: Fixed, Recurring, or Dynamic.What this showsIllustrates the "Step 5: Configure the Timer" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates".This screenshot appears in the "Step 5: Configure the Timer" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates". The text alongside this image reads: Timer Type: Fixed, Recurring, or Dynamic. Countdown duration: set the duration or specific end time. Start timer when: For Dynamic Timers, choose a trigger such as: Active link: the live offer/checkout/booking page used before expiry. Expired link: a fallback page shown after expiry (e.g…. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Review the message preview to see a preview of your template. Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template.Image 5 of 6What to fill inTimer Type: Fixed, Recurring, or Dynamic. Countdown duration: set the duration or specific end time. Start timer when: For Dynamic Timers, choose a trigger such as: Active link: the live offer/checkout/booking page used before expiry. Expired link: a fallback page shown after expiry (e.g., waitlist or alternative offer).
Fields in this part of the guideWhatsApp message is sentWhatsApp message is delivered
Buttons and menus referencedEdit TimerTimer URLtriggerbeforeafter
Next stepReview the message preview to see a preview of your template. Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template.All 5 steps in this procedure
Timer Type: Fixed, Recurring, or Dynamic.
Countdown duration: set the duration or specific end time.
Start timer when: For Dynamic Timers, choose a trigger such as:
Active link: the live offer/checkout/booking page used before expiry.
Expired link: a fallback page shown after expiry (e.g., waitlist or alternative offer).
Step 6: Save and Preview
Review the message preview to see a preview of your template.
Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template.
Step 6: Save and Preview (image 6 of 6)What this shows Review the message preview to see a preview of your template.What this showsIllustrates the "Step 6: Save and Preview" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates".This screenshot appears in the "Step 6: Save and Preview" section of "How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates". The text alongside this image reads: Review the message preview to see a preview of your template. Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template. Immediately after, the guide continues: Q: Can I use more than one timer in a single WhatsApp message? You can add up to two Countdown Timer buttons, combined with “Visit Website” or “Trackable Website.”.Image 6 of 6What to clickReview the message preview to see a preview of your template. Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template.
Buttons and menus referencedmessage previewCreate
Next stepQ: Can I use more than one timer in a single WhatsApp message? You can add up to two Countdown Timer buttons, combined with “Visit Website” or “Trackable Website.”All 2 steps in this procedure
Review the message preview to see a preview of your template.
Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use more than one timer in a single WhatsApp message? You can add up to two Countdown Timer buttons, combined with “Visit Website” or “Trackable Website.”
Q: What happens when the timer expires? Once expired, the user will be redirected to the expired offer page (based on your timer settings).
Q: Can I edit a timer after creating it? Yes — click Edit Timer to change duration, style, or triggers anytime.
Q: Do dynamic timers show different countdowns per user? Yes — each contact gets a unique countdown based on their trigger event (e.g., when the WhatsApp message was sent).
Q: Why do I see “No link found” under Timer URL? It means your timer doesn’t yet have a redirect link. Click Edit Timer and add a dynamic link or URL.
Q: What are active and expired links? The active link is the link of the page that has the offer page (The page with discounts, offers, free registration etc.) and the expired page is where you want the user to land when the offer expires. Make sure your offer page also has the same timer so that it expires automatically with the timer and redirects to expiry page.
Q: Can I branch workflows based on a Countdown Timer button click? Yes. Use a Trigger Link as the Timer URL so clicks are tracked and can power branches in workflows.
