GoHighLevel SMS Marketing Automation Setup: What You’ll Build
You’ll implement a modular SMS system that:- Captures explicit SMS consent at the first touch and stores it on the contact record.
- Triggers timely, relevant SMS messages based on forms, bookings, and pipeline stages.
- Boosts show rates with a proven 24h/3h/15m reminder cadence and no-show recovery.
- Protects deliverability with quiet hours, throttling, and opt-out handling.
- Tracks performance with clear attribution and outcome metrics.
Consent-First Architecture and Compliance Basics
SMS compliance varies by region. Always obtain explicit consent, honor opt-outs, and follow local laws. The following is general best practice—not legal advice.- Capture explicit SMS consent:
- Add a consent checkbox to lead forms (unchecked by default). Example: “I agree to receive SMS messages about my inquiry. Reply STOP to opt out.”
- Map consent to a boolean field (e.g.,
sms_consent) on the contact.
- Honor opt-out automatically:
- Enable keyword handling (STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE) and map to DND/SMS opt-out.
- Gate every SMS action with a consent + DND check.
- Quiet hours and frequency caps:
- Implement regional quiet hours (e.g., 8am–8pm local time) to reduce complaints.
- Rate-limit nurture flows (e.g., no more than 3 SMS/week per contact).
- Identify your brand clearly:
- Use short, branded copy. Include an opt-out note on first touch: “- Brand. Reply STOP to opt out.”
Core GoHighLevel Settings to Configure
- Phone number & sending profile: Provision a number, set area code strategy (local presence if relevant), and verify sender ID.
- Custom fields & tags:
sms_consent(boolean),country,timezone,last_sms_sent_at, tags likeEngaged: SMS. - Opt-in templates: Draft welcome/confirmation SMS with brand and opt-out language.
- Keyword automations: Create keyword-based triggers for STOP/HELP and support flows.
- Quiet hours logic: Add workflow conditionals on contact timezone before send.
5 High-Impact SMS Workflows to Ship First
1) Speed-to-Lead SMS + Email Combo
Trigger: Form Submitted (Lead) → Filters:sms_consent = true, not existing customer, not DND.Actions: Assign owner → Send email confirmation → Send SMS within 2–5 minutes → Create task “Call in 5 minutes.”
Copy tip: “Hey {{first_name}}, got your request. Quick 15-min call to help? Book here: {{calendar_link}} – {{brand}}. Reply STOP to opt out.”
2) Lead-to-Booking Nurture
Trigger: Tag Added =Lead: Warm OR page view: pricing.Branch: If no booking in 24h → send SMS nudge; else → exit.
Copy tip: “Still interested? Slots opened this week: {{calendar_link}}. — {{brand}} (Reply STOP to opt out)”
3) Show-Up Maximizer (Reminder Cadence)
Trigger: Appointment Booked.Actions: Email reminder at 24h → SMS at 3h → SMS at 15m with join/reschedule links.
Post-event: If Attended → send recap + next steps. If No-Show → move to Recovery flow.
4) No-Show Recovery
Trigger: Appointment Status: No-Show.Actions: SMS with instant reschedule link → Create task for owner → Follow-up email next morning.
5) Dormant Lead Re-Engagement
Trigger: Last Activity > 45 days, Stage in Lead/Contacted, consent true.Actions: “Still relevant?” SMS with two quick-reply options (e.g., Yes/Not now). Tag replies and branch accordingly.
Copy Frameworks that Convert (and Stay Friendly)
- Be short and outcome-driven: One idea per message, one CTA.
- Lead with value: Agenda, benefit, or new slot availability.
- Personalize smartly: Use {{first_name}}, relevant service, or last action.
- Always provide an exit: “Reply STOP to opt out.”
- “Hi {{first_name}}, it’s {{owner_first}} from {{brand}}. Want a quick 10-min audit? Book: {{calendar_link}}. Reply STOP to opt out.”
- “Reminder: {{appt_date}} {{appt_time}}. Need to reschedule? {{reschedule_link}} – {{brand}}. Reply STOP to opt out.”
- “Missed you earlier—no worries. Grab a better time here: {{calendar_link}}. — {{brand}}. Reply STOP to opt out.”
Step-by-Step Build: Your First Consent-Gated SMS Flow
- Create fields: Settings → Custom Fields:
sms_consent(checkbox),timezone(auto or select),last_sms_sent_at(date/time). - Update your form: Add consent checkbox with clear language. Map to
sms_consent. Add hidden UTM fields (source, medium, campaign). - Draft templates: Create SMS templates for welcome, booking nudge, reminders, and no-show recovery.
- Build the workflow:
- Trigger: Form Submitted = Lead Intake
- Filters: If
sms_consent=trueAND not DND - Action order: Assign Owner → Email confirmation → Wait 2–5 minutes → If within quiet hours → Send SMS welcome with calendar link → Create task for owner
- Fail-safes: If owner unassigned after 5 minutes → Notify ops via email/Slack/webhook
- QA test: Submit a test lead with a real phone number. Confirm fields, messages, and tasks fire correctly. Validate opt-out handling with STOP.
Deliverability, Throttling, and Quiet Hours
- Quiet hours: Add a conditional “Local time between 08:00–20:00?” before any send. If not, delay until morning.
- Throttle volume: For large sends, batch by tags or segments to avoid spikes.
- First-message etiquette: Identify your brand, purpose, and opt-out. Keep within 160 characters where possible.
Analytics and KPIs to Track
- Speed-to-first-response: Median minutes from lead submit to first SMS/email.
- Booking rate: Percent of leads who book within 7 days.
- Show rate: Attended / Booked after reminder flow.
- No-show recovery rate: Percent of no-shows who rebook within 7 days.
- Unsubscribe rate: Opt-outs per 100 SMS—use this as a quality signal.
When to Extend with Third-Party Tools
- Advanced routing/logic: Use Make/Zapier/n8n for complex enrichment or round-robin rules.
- Omnichannel: Add email, voice drops, or chat where relevant—but keep SMS purposeful.
- Bulk campaigns: Segment tightly and throttle; avoid broadcast fatigue.
Deployment Checklist (15-Minute Go-Live)
- Consent checkbox maps to
sms_consent; STOP/HELP keywords work and set DND. - Owner assignment and fallback alerts configured.
- Quiet hours conditionals in place; test time zone behavior.
- Templates include brand + opt-out on first message.
- UTMs captured and conversion fires on thank-you pages.
- Tasks created where humans must act (and are assigned).
Final Recommendations
- Start with 3 workflows: Speed-to-Lead, Show-Up Maximizer, No-Show Recovery.
- Audit weekly: Unsub rate, quiet hours, delivery errors, and copy freshness.
- Iterate lightly: One change per week: timing, copy, or segmentation.
Recommended resources
- GoHighLevel — build your SMS workflows end-to-end.
- Hostinger — fast WordPress hosting for clean embeds and Core Web Vitals.
- Namecheap — domains and SSL for secure forms and booking pages.
- AppSumo — discover complementary tools and lifetime deals.
Related internal reads
- GoHighLevel Automation Workflows (2025)
- GoHighLevel vs HubSpot (2025)
- GoHighLevel vs Salesforce (2025)
FAQs
Do I need explicit SMS consent in GoHighLevel?
Yes. Use a clear checkbox on forms, map it tosms_consent, and only send SMS if consent is true and the contact is not DND.
