Timer types
Fixed timer
Counts down to a set date and time. Ideal for holiday sales, product launches, or one-time events.
Recurring timer
Resets after reaching zero. Perfect for ongoing promotions, weekly classes, or regular events.
Dynamic timer
Personalizes the countdown for each contact based on when they received or opened an email. Creates a unique, time-sensitive experience per recipient.
Creating a timer
Select a design template
Choose a visual template that matches your branding, then click Continue with this template.
Configure the General settings
Set the timer duration, end date/time, timezone, and active/expired redirect links (see sections below).
Customize styling
Go to the Styling tab to adjust colors, fonts, labels, corner radius, padding, and expiration image.
Timer configuration
Fixed timer
Set the exact end date and time for the countdown. Add the active link (where users go while the timer is running) and the expired link (where users go after the timer ends). Use cases: Flash sales, holiday promotions, product launches, event countdowns.Recurring timer
Define:- Start date — when the first cycle begins
- Number of loops — how many times the timer cycles before stopping
- Countdown duration — how long each cycle counts down
- Wait time — optional rest period between cycles (e.g., 15 days between offers)
- Hide option — automatically hide the timer in funnels during the wait period
Dynamic timer
Dynamic timers start counting down based on each contact’s individual interaction with your email. Configuration:- Timer duration — minimum countdown length (e.g., 2 hours)
- End time — optional fixed end time (e.g., “No later than midnight”) — creates a deadline that applies even if the contact opens the email late
- Email trigger — choose to start when the email is sent or opened
- Contact A opens at 6 PM → timer ends at 11 PM (5 hours)
- Contact B opens at 10 PM → timer ends at 11 PM the next day (minimum 2 hours respected)
A dynamic timer can only be used once per contact. Clone the timer before using it in multiple campaigns.
Redirect links (active and expired)
Redirect links automatically direct users to the correct page based on the timer status:| Link | When used | Example destination |
|---|---|---|
| Active link | While the timer is running | Offer or checkout page |
| Expired link | After the timer ends | ”Offer expired” or waitlist page |
Styling options
Labels
Labels
Choose which time units to display (seconds, minutes, hours, days) and edit the label text for each.
Typography
Typography
Set the font family, size, weight, and color for the timer digits and labels.
Corner radius
Corner radius
Adjust the roundness of the timer’s background container.
Colors
Colors
Set background, digit, label, and separator colors using the color picker or hex codes.
Expiration image
Expiration image
Upload a static image to replace the timer in emails after it expires — useful for displaying an “Offer Ended” graphic.
Padding and margin
Padding and margin
Fine-tune spacing around the timer element for placement in emails and funnels.
Apple Mail handling
Apple Mail handling
Apple Mail on iOS 15+ caches GIFs, causing timers to display the time from when the email was first opened — not subsequent opens. Enable the Hide for Apple Mail option to prevent showing an incorrect countdown to Apple Mail users.
Timer states
Using timers in emails
Open your email template or campaign
Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates or Campaigns and open or create your email.
Add the timer element
Drag and drop the Countdown Timer element into the email layout. Select your timer from the list.
Adjust placement and styling
Fine-tune alignment, background color, and padding within the email builder.
Add a CTA button with the redirect link
Copy the timer’s redirect link and add it to any button or link in the email to direct users to the offer page.
Countdown timers in emails work as animated GIFs. They update each time the email is opened and display the remaining time accurately — except in Apple Mail (see Apple Mail handling above).
Using timers in funnels and websites
Open your funnel or website
Go to Sites and select the funnel or website where you want to add the timer.
Add the countdown timer element
Drag the Countdown Timer element from the elements panel and drop it into the page.
Configure and preview
The timer settings panel will appear. To edit, click Edit Timer. Preview the timer using the eye icon in the upper right.
Changes made to a timer automatically update in all funnels and pages containing that timer element.
Syncing timers across emails and funnels
For a consistent and authentic experience, use the same countdown timer in both your email and the landing page it links to. Steps to sync:- Create redirect pages in your funnel (an active offer page and an expired page)
- Build your timer with both active and expired links pointing to those pages
- Add the timer to your email template and to your funnel’s offer page
- Add a CTA button in the email using the timer’s redirect link
Editing a timer
Click the pencil icon next to any timer to edit:- Timer type (fixed or recurring)
- End date, time, and timezone
- Active and expired redirect links
- Styling (colors, fonts, labels, expiration image)
- Timer name
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a fixed, recurring, and dynamic timer?
What is the difference between a fixed, recurring, and dynamic timer?
A fixed timer counts down to a specific date and time — the same deadline for every viewer. A recurring timer resets and cycles repeatedly on a schedule. A dynamic timer personalizes the countdown for each contact based on when they received or opened your email, creating a unique experience per recipient.
Why do timers show an incorrect time in Apple Mail?
Why do timers show an incorrect time in Apple Mail?
Apple Mail on iOS 15 and later caches GIFs, causing the timer to display the time from when the email was first opened rather than the current time on subsequent opens. Enable the Hide for Apple Mail option in Styling settings to show a fallback image instead of an incorrect timer to Apple Mail users.
Can I use the same timer in both an email and a landing page?
Can I use the same timer in both an email and a landing page?
Yes, and this is recommended for a consistent experience. Create your timer with both active and expired redirect links, add it to your email template, and also drag it into your funnel or website page. Both will display the same countdown and redirect users to the correct page based on whether the timer is active or expired.
Can I use a dynamic timer in multiple email campaigns?
Can I use a dynamic timer in multiple email campaigns?
No. A dynamic timer can only be used once per contact. If you want to use the same timer concept in multiple campaigns, clone the timer first — each campaign should use a separate timer instance.
What happens when the timer reaches zero?
What happens when the timer reaches zero?
When a timer expires, any click on the timer or its redirect link sends the user to the expired link URL you configured (such as an “Offer Ended” page). You can also configure an expiration image to replace the timer display in emails.
Can I edit a timer after the campaign has been sent?
Can I edit a timer after the campaign has been sent?
No. Once an email campaign using the timer has been sent, the timer can only be archived. Make all styling, timing, and redirect link changes before sending the campaign.
Do countdown timers work in SMS or only in email?
Do countdown timers work in SMS or only in email?
Countdown timers are designed for email and website/funnel placements where HTML rendering is supported. They are not supported directly in SMS messages, since SMS does not render HTML. You can include a link in an SMS that sends contacts to a landing page containing a timer.