Doc Summary
This guide explains how recurring countdown timers behave in both email campaigns and funnels, especially in relation to their wait, active, and expired states.
What is a Recurring Timer? #
A Recurring Timer is a countdown mechanism that resets based on a fixed recurring schedule (e.g., daily, weekly). Unlike one-time timers that expire permanently, recurring timers cycle through three states:
- Wait – Before the active countdown starts.
- Active – The countdown is visible and running.
- Expired – The countdown ends and redirects or hides content.
When Should You Use a Recurring Timer? #
Use a recurring timer when:
- You want to create urgency on a regular basis (e.g., “Offer ends in 2 hours every day”).
- You have time-sensitive promotions that reset daily, weekly, or monthly.
- You’re running automated campaigns that require consistent, predictable behavior (e.g., flash sales, countdown to daily webinars, or course availability).
? Ideal for: Evergreen funnels, automated sales sequences, limited-time daily offers, or recurring event promotions.
Email Behaviour #
Timer States: #
- Wait: The countdown has not yet begun.
- Active: The timer is counting down.
- Expired: The countdown has completed.
Behaviour Based on Timer State: #
| Timer State | User Clicks on Email Link → | Redirected To |
|---|---|---|
| Wait | Dynamic Link Clicked | Expiry Page |
| Active | Dynamic Link Clicked | Active Page |
| Expired | Dynamic Link Clicked | Expiry Page |
⚠️ Note: In emails, users cannot access the Active Page if the timer is in Wait or Expired state. Only during the Active period will the user be redirected properly.
Funnel Behaviour #
Currently funnels have slightly different behaviour
Case 1: Timer Becomes Expired While on Active Page #
- Behaviour: The user will be redirected automatically to the Expiry Page once the timer expires.
Case 2: Timer Enters Wait While User is on Active Page #
- Behaviour: The user remains on the Active Page.
- Optional: Timer visibility during the wait state can be disabled using the “Hide Timer While in Wait State” checkbox when setting up the timer.
✅ Best Practice: Enable the “Hide Timer in Wait State” option to avoid confusing users with a non-functional timer before activation.
Recap: Key Limitations #
- Email: Redirection strictly follows the timer state at the time of the click.
- Funnels: Users already on the page are affected by timer transitions in real-time, with controlled behavior during the wait period.
Additional Tips #
- Plan your timer start and expiration carefully to align with campaign timings.
- Always test funnel behaviour during all three timer states to ensure an expected behaviour with current limitations in funnels
