# How to Add a Countdown Timer in WhatsApp Templates > Learn to add countdown timer buttons to WhatsApp templates in GHL Customer Care. Configure timer type and details based on your the needed action. - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/marketing/countdown-timer/how-to-add-a-countdown-timer-in-whatsapp-templates - Section: Marketing / Countdown Timer - Reading time: 4 min - Images: 6, each explained below - Modified on Tue, 11 Nov, 2025 at 10:15 AM --- 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. --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** - [What are Countdown Timers in WhatsApp Templates?](#what-are-countdown-timers-in-whatsapp-templates) - [Key Benefits of Countdown Timers in WhatsApp](#key-benefits-of-countdown-timers-in-whatsapp) - [Supported Countdown Timer Types](#supported-countdown-timer-types) - [How to Add a Timer in a WhatsApp Template](#how-to-add-a-timer-in-a-whatsapp-template) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) - [Related Articles](#related-articles) --- # **What are Countdown Timers in WhatsApp Templates?** 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)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155058115832/original/jIwBOvYmAxDtI2W5U-kvaMal1OwA1mAWow.png) **Step 1: Navigate to WhatsApp Templates (image 1 of 6)** 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. - Where to go: Navigate to Settings → WhatsApp In the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tab - Fields: In the secondary navigation ribbon, select the Templates tab - Controls: Settings, WhatsApp, Templates - Next: 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. Full procedure: 1. Navigate to Settings → WhatsApp 2. 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)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155058115892/original/kmcJWIs2IlcWjDi5gRumBIEBIb_cgOKzwQ.png) **Step 2: Open a Template (image 2 of 6)** 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. - What to fill in: 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. - Controls: + Create Template, Template, Details - Next: Under the Button section, click the + Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdown Full procedure: 1. Click the blue + Create Template button to create a new template or select an existing one to edit 2. 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)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155058116027/original/-RdeqY7zjcSgSr5s6fEOhahaSzdxmKrjsw.png) **Step 3: Add the Countdown Timer Button (image 3 of 6)** 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. - What to choose: Under the Button section, click the + Add Button button then select Countdown Timer from the dropdown - Controls: Button, +, Add Button, Countdown Timer - Next: Open 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)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155058116198/original/3pAS4ZDGZ057u-dcQGSBoib5eiRy_bY71A.png) **Step 4: Choose or Create a Timer (image 4 of 6)** 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. - Where to go: Open the Timer dropdown and either select an existing timer or click + Create New. - Controls: Timer, + Create New - Next: After 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)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155058116445/original/zo2vZ14tOHPQFd9BqIsVukBE5CsiWygyXA.png) **Step 5: Configure the Timer (image 5 of 6)** 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. - What to fill in: 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). - Fields: WhatsApp message is sent, WhatsApp message is delivered - Controls: Edit Timer, Timer URL, trigger, before, after - Next: Review the message preview to see a preview of your template. Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template. Full procedure: 1. Timer Type: Fixed, Recurring, or Dynamic. 2. Countdown duration: set the duration or specific end time. 3. Start timer when: For Dynamic Timers, choose a trigger such as: 4. Active link: the live offer/checkout/booking page used before expiry. 5. 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)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155058116816/original/QbkiJ9cwRh1XV5Ued9gfvpHRIC3Td3A_Eg.png) **Step 6: Save and Preview (image 6 of 6)** 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.”. - What to click: Review the message preview to see a preview of your template. Click the blue Create button to finalize your WhatsApp template. - Controls: message preview, Create - Next: 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.” Full procedure: 1. Review the message preview to see a preview of your template. 2. 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. --- ## **Related Articles** - [Getting started with Countdown Timer](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/marketing/countdown-timer/getting-started-with-countdown-timer) - [Guide: Dynamic Countdown Timer](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/marketing/countdown-timer/guide-dynamic-countdown-timer) - [Add a Countdown Timer to a Funnel](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/marketing/countdown-timer/how-to-use-countdown-timers-in-funnels) - [How to create a WhatsApp Template?](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/reselling-products/whatsapp/how-to-create-a-whatsapp-template) - [How to Setup & Use Trigger Links in WhatsApp Templates](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/reselling-products/whatsapp/how-to-setup-and-use-trigger-links-in-whatsapp-templates) - [WhatsApp V2 Action (Workflows)](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/reselling-products/whatsapp/whatsapp-v2-action) --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com