How to Launch an SMS Campaign in GoHighLevel

If you are moving from tools like ClickUp or other CRMs and want a streamlined way to communicate with leads, GoHighLevel makes it easy to build, schedule, and launch SMS campaigns that convert. This step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to know so you can confidently send text campaigns to your audience.

The process is handled inside the Marketing area, where you can manage contacts, messages, and results for every text campaign you send.

Prepare Your Account for GoHighLevel SMS Campaigns

Before creating a campaign, make sure your GoHighLevel sub-account is ready to send messages and that your contact list is accurate.

Verify Phone Setup in GoHighLevel

To send an SMS campaign, you must have a phone number connected and enabled for SMS inside your GoHighLevel location.

• Confirm that a phone number has been purchased or assigned to your account.
• Ensure SMS is enabled and compliant with your region’s regulations.
• Check that your outbound number is correctly set as the default for messaging.

If your account is not yet fully configured, complete your number setup first so your campaign can send successfully.

Organize Contacts for GoHighLevel SMS Campaigns

SMS campaigns perform best when contacts are properly segmented and tagged. Before launching, review your contact records.

• Confirm that each contact has a valid mobile number.
• Clean out duplicates and invalid phone numbers.
• Use tags, pipelines, or smart lists to group contacts who should receive the same message.

Well-organized data will make targeting your GoHighLevel SMS campaigns much more efficient.

Access the SMS Campaign Tool in GoHighLevel

All SMS campaign creation happens inside the Marketing section of your account.

1. Log in to your GoHighLevel location.
2. In the left-hand menu, click Marketing.
3. Select Campaigns to open the campaign manager.
4. Click + Create Campaign (or a similar button) to start a new SMS-focused campaign.

This will open the main campaign configuration screen where you can define your audience and messages.

Set Basic Details for Your GoHighLevel SMS Campaign

Next, you will add the essential information that defines your campaign.

Name and Description

Create a clear internal name and short description so you and your team can quickly identify what this SMS campaign is about.

• Campaign Name: Use something descriptive, such as “Summer Promo SMS” or “Event Reminder Texts”.
• Description: Note the purpose, target segment, or key dates.

Assign the Campaign Settings

Configure how the campaign will behave once it starts.

• Set a status such as draft or active depending on whether you are still building.
• Confirm the default outbound phone number that will send the messages.
• Choose time settings or working hours if you do not want messages to go out at night or on weekends.

These settings help you stay in control of how, when, and from where your GoHighLevel SMS campaigns send.

Add Contacts to Your GoHighLevel SMS Campaign

Once the framework is in place, you are ready to choose who will receive your SMS messages.

Select a Target Audience

You can add contacts to your campaign in several ways.

• Use a saved smart list that filters contacts based on tags, pipeline stages, or other criteria.
• Manually select individual contacts from your database.
• Apply tags to group people who have opted in to receive text marketing.

Only include contacts who have given consent to receive SMS communications in your region.

Confirm Contact Eligibility

Before launching, verify that every selected contact is ready to receive messages.

• Check that each record has a valid mobile number in the correct format.
• Remove contacts who have opted out of SMS.
• Update any missing or incorrect phone numbers.

This prevents delivery issues and protects your sending reputation in GoHighLevel.

Create SMS Messages in Your GoHighLevel Campaign

Now you can build the actual messages that your contacts will receive.

Write the SMS Content

Your SMS messages should be short, clear, and action-oriented.

• Explain who you are and why you are messaging.
• Provide a direct benefit or offer.
• Include a clear call to action, such as clicking a link or replying.
• Keep character limits in mind to avoid messages being split.

Make sure your text content complies with messaging regulations and respects recipient preferences.

Customize with Merge Fields

GoHighLevel allows you to personalize SMS content using dynamic merge fields.

• Insert contact first names to make messages feel more personal.
• Reference appointment dates, services, or other relevant fields.
• Use custom values to standardize links or key details.

Personalization can significantly increase engagement with your SMS campaigns.

Set the Message Order or Workflow

Depending on your configuration, you may use a single SMS or a sequence of messages.

• Decide whether the campaign includes just one broadcast text or multiple steps.
• If multiple messages are used, define the order and delays between them.
• Review each step to ensure it logically guides contacts towards your desired outcome.

This type of structure helps you maximize the value of GoHighLevel automation combined with SMS.

Schedule and Launch Your GoHighLevel SMS Campaign

Once messages are ready, you can decide when they will send.

Choose Send Time Options

There are two main ways to send your SMS campaign.

• Immediate Send: Launch right away to all selected contacts.
• Scheduled Send: Pick a future date and time for delivery.

If your account has allowed sending windows, make sure your chosen time falls within those hours.

Run a Test Before Sending

Testing helps catch errors before a full launch.

• Send a test SMS to your own number.
• Check links, merge fields, and message formatting.
• Confirm that the sending number is correct.

After testing, you can confidently launch the full GoHighLevel SMS campaign.

Activate the Campaign

When you are satisfied with everything, activate your campaign.

1. Review all settings, contacts, and messages.
2. Click the button to start or publish the campaign.
3. Monitor the initial sends to confirm that delivery is working as expected.

You can pause or stop the campaign later if needed.

Monitor Results of Your GoHighLevel SMS Campaign

After launching, tracking performance helps you understand what is working.

Review Key SMS Metrics

Inside the campaign view, you can monitor performance indicators.

• Delivery status for each SMS.
• Replies received from contacts.
• Link clicks if you included trackable URLs.
• Unsubscribes or opt-outs triggered by your messages.

These metrics highlight how well your SMS content and targeting are performing.

Optimize Future GoHighLevel Campaigns

Use what you learn to refine future SMS campaigns.

• Adjust message timing based on when people respond most.
• Rewrite messages that have low engagement.
• Test different segments, tags, or offers.

Continuous improvement will help you get more leads and revenue from every SMS campaign you run.

Additional Resources for GoHighLevel SMS Campaigns

For more detail on launching SMS campaigns directly from the platform documentation, review the official guide at this GoHighLevel SMS campaign article.

If you want expert help optimizing funnels, automation, and campaigns, you can also visit Consultevo for professional GoHighLevel strategy and implementation services.

By following the steps above, you can confidently set up, launch, and refine SMS campaigns that work seamlessly inside GoHighLevel and support your broader marketing strategy.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your GHL , work with ConsultEvo — trusted GoHighLevel Partners.

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