How to Use the Countdown Timer Placeholder in GoHighLevel

If you use ClickUp or any other project management tool to plan campaigns, you can easily translate those plans into real urgency by adding a dynamic countdown timer in GoHighLevel. This guide walks you step by step through configuring the countdown timer placeholder so you can display a live, accurate timer in your emails, funnels, and websites for time-sensitive offers.

The countdown timer placeholder is generated in the Workflow builder and then embedded wherever you want the timer to appear. You will learn how to set it up, customize it, and safely reuse or update it.

What the GoHighLevel Countdown Timer Placeholder Does

The countdown timer placeholder in GoHighLevel lets you generate a dynamic timer that updates automatically based on the settings you configure in a Workflow action.

Once configured, you receive a placeholder (a special merge field) that you can insert into:

• Emails created in the email builder
• Funnel pages and websites built in the page builder
• Any other content area that supports custom values and HTML blocks

The timer can be set to a fixed date and time or be based on a contact’s workflow entry date and time, which is ideal for evergreen offers and personalized deadlines.

Where to Configure the Countdown Timer in GoHighLevel

You configure the countdown timer placeholder inside a Workflow using a dedicated action designed for timers.

1. Open your Workflows area in your GoHighLevel sub-account.
2. Select an existing Workflow or create a new one.
3. Add the Countdown Timer action from the list of available Workflow actions.

After you add the action, you will see configuration options that determine how the timer behaves and how the placeholder is generated.

GoHighLevel Countdown Timer Core Settings

Inside the countdown timer action in GoHighLevel, you must define the rules that drive your timer. The main configuration options include:

1. Timer Type and End Date

You can define how the timer calculates its end time. Typical options are:

• Fixed date/time: Ends at a specific calendar date and time, ideal for live launches or hard deadlines.
• Relative duration: Ends after a set period from when the contact enters the Workflow (for example, 3 days after entry).

Choose the option that matches your campaign. For a one-time product launch, a fixed date works best, while evergreen campaigns usually benefit from a relative duration.

2. Time Zone Handling

The countdown timer can respect either the account time zone or the contact’s local time zone, depending on the available settings in your GoHighLevel account.

Be consistent: if your email copy states deadlines with a specific time zone, make sure the timer configuration aligns with that to avoid confusion.

3. Behavior After Timer Ends

You can decide what happens when the countdown finishes. Depending on the version and configuration in your account, typical behaviors include:

• Showing zeros once the end time is reached.
• Hiding the timer when the deadline passes.
• Redirecting users or updating content in funnels and websites using other Workflow actions.

Set an end-state that matches your offer plan so you do not show an expired timer without context.

How to Generate the Countdown Timer Placeholder in GoHighLevel

Once the timer action is configured in your GoHighLevel Workflow, you can generate the placeholder that you will place into your assets.

1. In your Workflow, open the Countdown Timer action.
2. Ensure all fields (end date, duration, and behavior) are properly set.
3. Save the Workflow so GoHighLevel can generate the timer placeholder.
4. Copy the generated placeholder from the action panel. It will look similar to a merge field, such as {{ timer.placeholder }} (exact syntax may vary by account and version).

Keep this placeholder handy; you will need it for the next steps when inserting it into emails and pages.

Using the GoHighLevel Countdown Timer in Emails

To display the countdown timer in your email campaigns, insert the placeholder into the email builder.

1. Open the Marketing > Emails section in your GoHighLevel account.
2. Create a new email or edit an existing one that is connected to the Workflow where the timer was configured.
3. In the email builder, add a new Text or HTML block where you want the timer to appear.
4. Paste the countdown timer placeholder you copied from the Workflow into this block.
5. Save and preview the email. When sent, contacts who pass through the Workflow will see a live, dynamic timer calculated by GoHighLevel.

Always send a test email to yourself to confirm the timer appears correctly and matches your expected end date or duration.

Embedding the GoHighLevel Countdown Timer in Funnels and Websites

You can also use the same placeholder to display the countdown timer on funnel steps or websites created inside GoHighLevel.

1. Go to Funnels & Websites in your account.
2. Open the funnel step or website page where you want the countdown timer.
3. In the page builder, add an HTML or Custom Code element.
4. Paste the countdown timer placeholder into the HTML editor area.
5. Save and preview the page. The timer will render dynamically based on the Workflow configuration for each contact who lands on the page through your campaigns.

Make sure that the contacts viewing the page are part of the Workflow that contains the countdown timer action so they receive the correct, individualized countdown.

Best Practices for GoHighLevel Countdown Timers

To get the most from your countdown timer placeholder in GoHighLevel, follow these best practices:

• Keep copy and timer consistent: If your email says an offer ends at midnight, configure the timer to match that exact time.
• Use clear time zones: When necessary, mention the time zone in your copy (for example, PST or EST) so there is no ambiguity.
• Test multiple scenarios: Test new and existing contacts, and test close to the deadline to confirm the timer behavior when it reaches zero.
• Avoid clutter: Place the timer near your main call-to-action button but keep enough white space to maintain readability.

Troubleshooting the GoHighLevel Countdown Timer Placeholder

If your countdown timer does not appear or does not match your expected end time, review the following points:

• Verify that the contact is entering the Workflow that contains the countdown timer action.
• Confirm that the timer action is correctly configured and saved.
• Check that you pasted the correct placeholder into the email or page and did not alter its syntax.
• Ensure that the email or page you are testing is linked to the same Workflow logic used to generate the placeholder.

If problems persist, consult the official documentation provided by the platform at this countdown timer placeholder support article.

Additional GoHighLevel Resources

Beyond the countdown timer placeholder, you can enhance your marketing automation and sales funnels using additional tools and resources that integrate conceptually with GoHighLevel strategies. A helpful place to explore broader funnel and automation tactics is Consultevo, where you will find guidance on optimization, operations, and implementation workflows.

Using the countdown timer placeholder strategically, combined with strong automation and clear deadlines, helps you create urgency, boost conversions, and keep your GoHighLevel campaigns consistent and reliable across emails, funnels, and websites.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your GHL , work with ConsultEvo — trusted GoHighLevel Partners.

Scale GoHighLevel

“`