GoHighLevel Manual SMS Workflow Guide
If you work with tools like ClickUp to organize processes, you will appreciate how the GoHighLevel Manual SMS workflow action lets you control when and how text messages are sent to contacts. This guide walks you through configuring the action, assigning users, and sending messages from the SMS tab inside your account.
What the GoHighLevel Manual SMS Action Does
The Manual SMS action in a GoHighLevel workflow pauses automation and waits for you or a team member to send a text message manually. Instead of sending an automatic SMS, contacts are queued on the SMS tab where a user can review and send the message at the right time.
This is useful when you need:
- Human review before sending texts
- Personalized replies instead of fully automated messages
- Sales or support agents to handle messaging in a structured queue
Where the GoHighLevel Manual SMS Appears
Once a contact reaches a Manual SMS step, they appear under the SMS tab in your sub-account. From this tab you can:
- See all contacts waiting for a manual text
- Send the prepared message
- Skip or cancel the SMS if it is no longer needed
The workflow will only continue after the contact is processed on this tab or the step is skipped.
How to Add a Manual SMS Step in GoHighLevel Workflows
Follow these steps to insert the Manual SMS action into a workflow:
- Open your sub-account and go to Automation > Workflows.
- Select an existing workflow or create a new one.
- Click the + icon where you want to add the step.
- Search for and select Manual SMS.
- Configure the options for the manual text, described in the sections below.
- Save the workflow and turn it on when you are ready.
Configuring GoHighLevel Manual SMS Settings
When you add the Manual SMS action, several settings control how messages will be handled.
Setting the GoHighLevel “From” Number
Choose the number that will be used to send the message:
- Use Default Number – Uses the sub-account default phone number.
- Use Specific Number – Choose a specific number from the dropdown list.
The selected number is what your contacts will see as the sender.
Selecting the GoHighLevel SMS Template or Message
Next, you decide what content to send when the user triggers the message:
- Template – Pick an existing SMS template from your sub-account.
- Custom Message – Type a unique message directly in the action.
The text shown here is what appears for the user to send from the SMS tab. It can still be edited manually there before sending if needed.
Skipping on Reply in GoHighLevel Workflows
The Skip this action if the contact replied option is important for keeping your automations clean. When enabled:
- If the contact replies to a previous text before reaching this step, the Manual SMS is skipped.
- The workflow moves on to the next action automatically.
This prevents redundant or out-of-context messages from being queued after the contact has already engaged with your team.
Assigning Users to GoHighLevel Manual SMS Tasks
You can assign the Manual SMS step to a specific user or leave it unassigned:
- Specific user – Only that user will see and handle the SMS in their queue.
- Unassigned – Any user with access can process the message from the SMS tab.
Assigning a user is helpful for routing messages to the right salesperson or support agent, while unassigned messages work well for shared or rotating teams.
How to Send a Manual SMS from the GoHighLevel SMS Tab
After configuration, contacts will start appearing in the SMS tab when they reach this step. To send the message:
- Navigate to the SMS tab in your sub-account.
- Find the contact in the list of pending messages.
- Review the phone number, message content, and any relevant context.
- Edit the text if necessary to personalize it.
- Click the option to send the SMS.
Once sent, the contact exits the pending queue and the workflow continues to the next step.
Best Practices for GoHighLevel Manual SMS Use
To get the most out of this feature, consider these tips:
- Use Manual SMS for key turning points in a pipeline, such as warm leads.
- Combine with Skip this action if the contact replied to avoid duplicate outreach.
- Assign users based on team specialties, such as sales or support.
- Keep your SMS templates short, clear, and compliant with local regulations.
Organizing Teams Around GoHighLevel Manual SMS
For larger teams, define internal procedures for who monitors the SMS tab and how quickly messages must be sent. For instance:
- Set response time goals for manual SMS tasks.
- Use user assignment to separate lead follow-up from support follow-up.
- Regularly review pending items to ensure nothing is left unsent.
Learning More About GoHighLevel Manual SMS
If you want to see the original product documentation, you can review the Manual SMS workflow action details in the official help article here: GoHighLevel Manual SMS Workflow Action.
For broader strategy, implementation help, or optimization of your GoHighLevel setup, including workflows and messaging, you can find expert resources at Consultevo.
Summary of GoHighLevel Manual SMS Workflow Action
The Manual SMS action in GoHighLevel lets you:
- Pause automation for human-reviewed text messages.
- Queue contacts on the SMS tab for a user to handle.
- Control the sending number, message template, and assignment.
- Skip the step automatically if a contact replies earlier in the workflow.
By placing this action strategically in your automations, you can combine the efficiency of GoHighLevel workflows with the personalization of human messaging, ensuring contacts receive timely and relevant SMS communication.
Need Help With GoHighLevel?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your GHL , work with ConsultEvo — trusted GoHighLevel Partners.
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