In this tutorial, I show how to use trigger links to start dynamic countdown timers inside HighLevel campaigns—perfect for automating limited-time offers or evergreen promotions without requiring a form submission.
Dynamic countdown timers in HighLevel are unique to each contact and tied to their email address. That means the countdown won’t start unless the system knows who the contact is—which is why timers must be triggered by sending the contact an email that contains the countdown element or code.
The trick is to let people start this automation by clicking a trigger link—for example, from your newsletter or another campaign. The trigger link acts as the opt-in mechanism. When someone clicks it, they’re added to a workflow that sends them the email containing the countdown timer.
Inside the workflow, you can also use conditions or delays to send follow-ups like “24 hours left” or “last chance” reminders as the countdown progresses. This lets you replicate a full scarcity sequence automatically.
Trigger links are created under Marketing → Trigger Links and can point to any page, such as a workshop confirmation page or sales page. Once the link exists, add it to your workflow as a trigger event (when a contact clicks the link). Then, send your email that includes the countdown timer you previously created under Marketing → Countdown Timers.
This setup allows you to add dynamic scarcity to your existing content, newsletters, and campaigns—without asking people to fill out new forms.
Key Takeaways
- Dynamic Countdown Timers: Tied to each contact’s email; they only start when an email containing the timer is sent.
- Email Is Required: Timers won’t activate for anonymous visitors—HighLevel must know who the contact is.
- Trigger Links Instead of Forms: Clicking a trigger link can enroll a contact into a workflow, no form required.
- Workflow Setup:
- Trigger: “Trigger Link Clicked.”
- Action: Send email containing the dynamic countdown timer.
- Countdown Placement: Add the countdown directly in the email via the design element or paste its embed code.
- Follow-Up Emails: Use wait steps to send reminders (e.g., 24 hours left, 12 hours left) for timed offers.
- Ideal Use Cases:
- Evergreen offers and workshops.
- Time-limited discounts in newsletters.
- Re-engagement sequences with scarcity.
- Dynamic vs. Static Timers: Dynamic timers are unique per user; static timers count down to a fixed date.
- Pro Tip: Test your setup by sending the workflow to yourself—verify the countdown works and aligns with your automation timing.