WordPress Countdown Timer — How to Add a Countdown in WordPress (+ video guide!)

Integration Guides
WordPress Countdown Timer — How to Add a Countdown in WordPress (+ video guide!)

WordPress Countdown Timer — How to Add a Countdown in WordPress

Adding dynamic countdown timers to your WordPress site, using the native WordPress Gutenberg Editor ("Block Editor"). We'll employ the Custom HTML Block. But don't fret, you don't need to be a code wizard for this one. Watch us create and embed the countdown in one minute in our demo video below!

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A mailcountdowns.com account
  • Access to your WordPress backend / administration
  • A page or blog post ready to be enhanced with a countdown timer

Video Integration Guide

This demo video shows the necessary steps to get you started as quickly as possible!

Step-by-Step Integration

1. Generate Your Countdown Timer

1. Log in to your Mail Countdowns dashboard. You can click this link to open it in a new tab and keep this guide open at the same time!
2. Click "Create New Timer"
Create new timer button on dashboard 3. Customize your countdown timer
Set campaign end date and time 4. Save your countdown timer
Customize timer appearance 5. Copy the generated HTML code
Copy generated HTML code

All set! You're ready to integrate your countdown timer. The HTML code is now saved in your clipboard and ready to be used.

2. Add the Timer to WordPress

Open page/blog editor

Log in to your WordPress administration and navigate to the blog post or page that you want to edit:

WordPress page/post listing

Add Custom HTML Block

Click the plus icon in the sidebar, then search for the "custom HTML" block. Click to add it

WordPress CUSTOM HTML Block screenshot

Paste the Countdown Timer Code

Paste your generated countdown timer code into the HTML editor. Ensure all elements are properly included.

Pasting HTML Code into WP HTML Editor

Preview and Test

Use WordPress's block preview function to ensure the countdown timer displays correctly. Test the page across different devices and browsers to confirm responsiveness.

Block Preview in WP Gutenberg Editor

Also make sure to check your new WordPress countdown in your actual live site:

Countdown Preview on 'Hello World' Blog Post

3. Test Your Integration

Before launching your site, make sure to:

  • Test various browsers
  • Verify that the timer updates correctly (it should refresh every 2 minutes when reloading)
  • Check the display on both desktop and mobile devices
  • Ensure the countdown animation is smooth and readable

Best Practices

  • Position your countdown timer strategically near your call-to-action
  • Use colors that complement your brand's visual identity
  • Maintain a clean, uncluttered design around the timer
  • Test different placements to optimize engagement
  • Keep your timer visible without scrolling on mobile devices

Advanced Tips

  • Create segment-specific timers for personalized campaigns
  • Use A/B testing to measure the impact of timer placement and design
  • Track conversion rates to measure timer effectiveness

Need Help?

Our support team is ready to assist you with your integration. Contact us at [email protected] or visit our comprehensive documentation for detailed information and troubleshooting guides.

Ready to enhance your marketing campaigns? Sign up for Mail Countdowns and create your first dynamic countdown timer today!

WordPress Countdown Timer FAQ

Does WordPress support countdown timers? Yes! You can use our countdown timer gifs without the need for hefty, potentially insecure plugins.

Is there a free, no‑watermark option? Yes. Create timers without watermarks on our free plan - it's just a signup away

Related guides

While we support CMS like WordPress, too, our main focus is e-mail-marketing. Your tool is probably supported as well - check our integration guides:

WordPress email-marketing integration

Ready to Add Countdown Timers to Your Emails?

Create urgency and boost engagement in your email campaigns with dynamic countdown timers.

Get Started Free