Add Countdown Timers to WhatsApp Templates

A Countdown Timer is added to a WhatsApp template as a call-to-action button. When a contact selects the timer button, the timer's current status determines where the contact is sent.

The timer can use a fixed deadline, repeat on a schedule, or calculate a personalized deadline for each contact.

WhatsApp templates support three Countdown Timer types: Fixed, Recurring, and Dynamic.

A Fixed Timer ends at one specific date and time. Use a Fixed Timer when every contact should receive the same deadline, such as:

A Recurring Timer repeats according to a configured schedule. Use a Recurring Timer for promotions that repeat, such as:

A Dynamic Timer creates a personalized countdown for each contact. The countdown starts from the configured trigger, such as:

Use a Dynamic Timer when each contact should receive the same amount of time regardless of when they receive the WhatsApp message. For example, a 12-hour Dynamic Timer can give each contact 12 hours to redeem an offer based on when their individual timer starts.

To access WhatsApp templates:

The Templates area displays existing WhatsApp templates and provides options for creating new templates.

To add a Countdown Timer, create a new template or open an existing template that you want to edit.

The Countdown Timer is configured from the template's button settings.

To add the timer button:

The button text should clearly describe the action the contact can take, such as Claim Your Offer Now.

After selecting Countdown Timer as the button type, use the Timer field to choose the timer that should control the button.

The selected timer controls when the destination remains active and when it becomes expired.

Timer settings determine how long the offer remains available and when the countdown begins. Configure the applicable settings for the timer, including:

For a Dynamic Timer, the Start timer when setting can use an event such as WhatsApp message is sent or WhatsApp message is delivered.

A Dynamic Timer calculates the deadline separately for each contact based on the selected start event.

The timer uses different destinations before and after expiration.

The active link is the destination contacts should reach while the timer is still running.

Examples include:

The expired link is the destination contacts should reach after the timer has ended. Examples include:

If the active page also displays the countdown, configure that page to use the same timer so the page and WhatsApp button follow the same expiration behavior.

Before creating the template:

The preview shows how the call-to-action button will appear within the WhatsApp message.

The Timer URL connects the Countdown Timer button to its destination behavior.

If a Timer URL is not available, edit the timer and confirm that the required link or redirect configuration has been added. The Timer URL should use the timer configuration that determines whether the contact reaches the active or expired destination.

Countdown Timer button clicks can be used with workflow logic when the Timer URL uses a trackable Trigger Link. A Trigger Link can record the click so the contact can enter or branch through workflow automation based on that action.

This can be used for follow-up automation such as:

Open the Timer dropdown and select an existing timer or create a new timer if the creation option is available. After creating the timer, return to the template and select it from the Timer field.

The selected timer does not yet have the required redirect destination configured.

Edit the timer and add the appropriate URL or link configuration.

Review the timer's active and expired destination settings. The active destination should be used before expiration, while the expired destination should be used after the timer ends.

Review the timer's Start timer when setting. Confirm that the Dynamic Timer is configured to start from the intended event, such as when the WhatsApp message is sent or delivered.

If the destination page contains its own countdown, configure the page to use the same timer as the WhatsApp template. Using the same timer keeps the WhatsApp button and destination page aligned to the same expiration behavior.

Yes. A WhatsApp template can include up to two Countdown Timer buttons when combined with supported website button types such as Visit Website or Trackable Website.

After the timer expires, contacts who select the Countdown Timer button are routed to the timer's configured expired destination instead of the active destination.

Yes. Use Edit Timer to modify the timer's available configuration, including duration, timer behavior, and trigger settings.

Yes. A Dynamic Timer calculates its countdown separately for each contact based on the configured start event. For example, if the timer starts when the WhatsApp message is sent, each contact's countdown begins when that contact's message is sent.

The timer does not yet have the required redirect link configuration. Edit the timer and add the appropriate destination or Timer URL configuration.

The active link is the destination used while the timer is still running. The expired link is the destination used after the timer reaches its expiration point.

Yes, when the destination page also displays a countdown. Using the same timer keeps the deadline on the destination page synchronized with the Countdown Timer used by the WhatsApp template.

Yes. Use a trackable Trigger Link as the Timer URL so the click can be recorded and used for workflow automation or branching.