GoHighLevel Texting and SMS: Avoid These 5 Things
GoHighLevel SMS is a powerful, cost-effective messaging solution ideal for agencies and businesses that need automation, compliance, and high engagement. It is best for marketers who prioritize multi-channel campaigns and lead nurturing. It is not recommended for companies seeking free or basic SMS tools without advanced automation.
| Platform: | GoHighLevel |
|---|---|
| Trial types: | 14-day standard, 30-day extended partner trial |
| 30 Days Trial: | Available ($0 trial for 30 days) |
| Price: | $97-$297 |
| Discount: | 20% OFF on all plans (save $994/year) |
| Special Offer: | 30-day free trial |
| Cancel: | Anytime from your billing settings before the trial renews |
| Best for: | Agencies, SaaS resellers, local businesses, coaches |
8 Things You Can Do with GoHighLevel Texting and SMS
1. Facilitate Remote Two-Way Conversations
Not everyone has time to sit on a phone call. With GoHighLevel SMS, leads and customers can respond at their own convenience, making communication much more flexible. All conversations are stored within your dashboard, allowing you to review past messages and follow up efficiently. This not only improves the overall customer experience but also reduces the chance of leads going cold.
2. Run Drip Campaigns
Drip campaigns are automated SMS sequences triggered by user actions, such as submitting a form. Once the sequence begins, messages guide the lead toward a specific goal, like booking an appointment. SMS has a major advantage over email, with open rates between 95% and 98%, compared to just 15%–22% for emails. For campaigns that require visibility and engagement, SMS is often the clear winner.
3. Book Appointments and Send Reminders
GoHighLevel features an AI-powered booking bot that engages recipients, adjusts responses dynamically based on their answers, and schedules appointments automatically. After an appointment is booked, automated SMS reminders are sent to reduce no-shows, while calendar synchronization keeps everything organized. This saves time and ensures a smoother customer experience.
4. Send Transactional Messages (Text-to-Pay)
Businesses can send payment links directly through SMS. Using the mobile app, you can quickly send a Text-to-Pay link, while the desktop app allows for a more detailed invoice with an attached payment link. Because text messages are opened quickly, payments are typically completed faster than with email, improving cash flow and efficiency.
5. Create Opt-In Campaigns
Opt-in campaigns are ideal for offline marketing strategies. Restaurants can include keyword offers on menus, businesses can place promo codes on cards, and event organizers can use SMS to distribute special offers. When a user texts a designated keyword, they are automatically entered into an automated sequence that delivers offers and follow-ups, turning offline interactions into actionable leads.
6. Combine with Multi-Channel Campaigns
GoHighLevel allows seamless integration across multiple channels, including SMS, phone calls, email, WhatsApp, and social messaging. For example, a prospect may first engage through social media, then be automatically moved to an SMS conversation where follow-up offers are sent. This creates a cohesive communication strategy that meets customers where they are.
7. Send Surveys and Polls
Automated workflows can deliver surveys and polls via SMS, branching questions based on responses. For instance, a question like “Did you like our product?” can follow up with “What did you like most?” if the answer is positive, or “Why didn’t you like it?” if negative. This allows businesses to collect actionable feedback efficiently while keeping the interaction simple and convenient for recipients.
8. Missed-Call Text-Back
When a call is missed, GoHighLevel can automatically send a text message to the caller. This feature prevents lost opportunities by ensuring potential customers feel acknowledged and engaged, even if the team was unavailable at the time of the call. It helps increase conversions by turning missed calls into actionable follow-ups.
GoHighLevel SMS Pricing: Is it Expensive?
The quick answer is “No.”
GoHighLevel’s SMS pricing is affordable and aligns with what other third-party providers, like Twilio, charge. To use SMS, you first need to purchase a phone number. GoHighLevel’s native phone system, LC-Phone, provides these numbers at a small ongoing monthly fee.
Here’s what you pay in the US and Canada:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Local phone number | $1.15/month |
| Toll-free number | $2.15/month |
| Outbound SMS | $0.0079/segment |
| Inbound SMS | $0.0079/segment |
| Outbound MMS | $0.0200/segment |
| Inbound MMS | $0.0100/segment |
Payments for phone numbers and SMS usage are deducted from your GoHighLevel wallet. Once the balance drops below a set threshold, it is automatically recharged. You can set this threshold yourself, for example, $20 or $50.
If your clients are using SMS, you can rebill them for their usage and even add your own markup, creating extra revenue. The initial cost is taken from your wallet, but the client will also be billed for their portion.
What’s A2P 10DLC?
A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code) is a carrier-mandated registration system to reduce spam.
Required if:
- Sending SMS to US or Canadian numbers
- Using local or mobile numbers
Fees:
- $4.41 one-time registration
- Starting at $1.50/month
Alternative: Toll-free numbers still require registration but have a simpler process.
What Is the GoHighLevel SMS Ramp-Up Model?
GoHighLevel limits new accounts to prevent spam through an eight-day ramp-up model. You can only send a set number of SMS per 24 hours, increasing gradually as you follow the limits. After reaching each level’s max, you must wait 24 hours before sending more.
8-Day Ramp-Up Model:
| Level | SMS Limit (24 hours) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 250 |
| 3 | 500 |
| 4 | 750 |
| 5 | 1,500 |
| 6 | 2,250 |
| 7 | 3,000 |
| 8 | 3,000+ |
How to Set Up GoHighLevel Texting and SMS
Step 1: Connect LC-Phone
- Agency Dashboard → Settings → Phone Integration → Connect sub-account
Step 2: Purchase a Number
- Sub-account → Settings → Phone Numbers → + Add Number → Buy
Step 3: Complete A2P Registration
- Follow on-screen instructions after purchasing the number
Step 4: Send SMS
- Contacts → Open contact → Type message → Send
Bulk messaging:
- Select multiple contacts
- Click the SMS icon
- Send immediately, schedule, or drip
Templates:
- Conversations → Snippets → Add Text Snippet → Save template
GoHighLevel SMS Automation: How It Works
- Go to Workflows → Add SMS as an action
- Insert wait steps → Branch messages based on replies
The system can:
- Interpret positive vs negative responses
- Route contacts to specific workflows
- Trigger offers or unsubscribe flows
Conversational bots:
- Conversations AI → Choose Q&A, booking, or custom
- Train the bot for tone and intent
Once configured, entire conversations can run on autopilot.
5 Ways to Avoid Violating the LC-Phone Messaging Policy
Violations can result in account suspension or termination.
1. Use Opt-In Contacts Only
- Obtain explicit consent before messaging
- No consent = policy violation
2. Include Unsubscribe Option
- Initial SMS must include: Reply STOP to unsubscribe
3. Avoid Prohibited Content
- Firearms, gambling, alcohol, tobacco, or adult content are banned
4. Identify Yourself
- Initial SMS must include: “Hi, this is <Name> from <Business>”
5. Don’t Try to Evade Filters
- Avoid misspelled words to bypass filters
- Use standard opt-out phrases
- Avoid URL shorteners or “snowshoeing” multiple numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a third-party SMS provider with GoHighLevel?
Yes. Integrations like Twilio are supported, but LC-Phone is recommended for easier compliance.
2. Can I purchase phone numbers in GoHighLevel?
Yes. Local and toll-free numbers can be purchased directly from your dashboard.
3. How many SMS messages can I send?
Depends on ramp-up level, carrier restrictions, and compliance. Fully ramped accounts can send 3,000+ messages per 24 hours.
4. Do I need A2P 10DLC registration?
Yes, for local/mobile numbers in the US and Canada. Toll-free numbers are simpler to register.
5. Is GoHighLevel SMS expensive?
No. SMS pricing starts at $0.0079 per segment, and phone numbers cost as little as $1.15/month.
6. Can I automate SMS conversations?
Yes. Workflows and conversational bots can automate replies, bookings, surveys, and follow-ups.
Final Thoughts
GoHighLevel SMS is a powerful, affordable, and conversion-focused messaging solution. By using opt-in contacts, clearly identifying yourself in messages, following ramp-up limits, and avoiding prohibited content, you can safely leverage SMS to increase engagement, reduce missed opportunities, and grow revenue.
It is particularly well-suited for small businesses, marketing agencies, and service providers that want to run compliant, automated, and highly effective SMS campaigns without the risk of account suspension.
