This article shows you how to add a custom wait time between cycles of a recurring countdown timer. Use the feature to run “Every Friday” flash sales, weekly webinar countdowns, or monthly product drops, without rebuilding timers each time they reset.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Is Custom Wait Time for Recurring Timers?
- How to Configure a Recurring Timer with Wait Time
- Timer Lifecycle Explained
- Use Case Templates
- Known Behaviors & Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Custom Wait Time for Recurring Timers?
Custom wait time lets a recurring timer pause for a set duration after it reaches 00 : 00 : 00, then start the next cycle automatically. During the pause (the Wait state) you can decide whether the timer stays visible at zero or disappears entirely in funnels, while emails show a zero-state banner that links to your expiry page.
How to Set Wait Time for a Recurring Timer
Follow these steps once; the timer will self-manage every cycle.
- Navigate to Marketing ▸ Countdown Timer ▸ + New to create a new timer.
- Choose a timer template and click on Continue with this template.
- Select Time Type as Recurring and set Start and End off sets.
- Enter Loop Events number, (The number of times the cycle repeats in total)
- Set Custom Wait Time duration (e.g., 5 days 12 hours).
- (Optional) Enable Hide Timer in Wait State to remove the timer from funnels during the pause. (Hide-Timer toggle affects funnels only; emails always show zero-state.)
- Select the Expiry Page / URL visitors should see when they click the timer or refresh a funnel during Wait.
- Save and embed the timer block in funnels and/or emails.
Timer Lifecycle Explained
Knowing what contacts see at each stage helps you design seamless journeys.
Active Cycle ─┐
│ hits 00:00
▼
Wait State (custom duration)
│ auto-restart
▼
Next Active Cycle → … (repeats)
| State | Email Behavior | Funnel Behavior |
| Active | Live ticking countdown | Live ticking countdown |
| Wait | Timer shows 00 : 00 : 00; clicking it redirects to Expiry Page | • Timer hidden or shows 00 : 00 : 00 (based on your toggle) • If the page is refreshed while Wait is active, user is redirected to Expiry Page |
| Reset | New cycle begins automatically | New cycle begins automatically |
Use Case Templates
Plug-and-play numbers to hit the ground running.
| Scenario | |||
| Every Friday Sale | Fri 00:00 → Fri 23:59 | 6 days 1 min | Timer re-arms for the next Friday at midnight |
| Weekly Webinar | Mon 09:00 → Thu 17:00 | 3 days 16 hrs | Countdown resumes each Monday morning |
| Runs on the first three days of every month |
Known Behaviors & Tips
Avoid surprises by understanding edge-case logic.
- Email zero-state is unstyled “00 : 00 : 00”. Custom CSS/styling isn’t applied during Wait.
- Hide-Timer toggle affects funnels only; emails always show zero-state.
- If a visitor’s session spans Active → Wait without page refresh, they stay on the funnel page (no auto-redirect).
- Max wait duration: 365 days; Min: 1 minute.
- Analytics log a “Timer Expired” event the moment Wait starts—use it to trigger post-promo automations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a wait period cross Daylight-Saving-Time changes?
Yes, timers store durations, not fixed dates. The engine recalculates offsets when DST shifts.
Q: What happens if I edit the wait time later?
New duration applies the next time the timer enters Wait; the current cycle is unaffected.
Q: Can I style the zero-state in emails?
Not yet. Zero-state uses the default timer font and color for deliverability consistency.
Q: Does the redirect fire in funnels if I disable Hide-Timer?
Yes, refreshing the page during Wait always redirects, regardless of visibility.
Q: How many cycles can one timer run?
Unlimited, cycles continue until you archive or delete the timer.
Q: Will contacts see different times in cached emails?
Email timers refresh with real-time data when opened; cached images are replaced server-side.
Q: Can I add a wait period to non-recurring timers?
No, wait time is exclusive to the Recurring timer type.