Schedule WhatsApp in GoHighLevel

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Schedule WhatsApp in GoHighLevel

ClickUp users who are moving into marketing automation often ask how to schedule WhatsApp messages in GoHighLevel for precise delivery. This guide walks you step by step through every supported method to delay or schedule WhatsApp messages so they send at the right time, to the right contacts, with full control from your CRM environment.

The instructions in this how-to article are based on the official GoHighLevel documentation for WhatsApp schedule send, adapted into a clear, SEO-friendly tutorial with practical examples, tips, and limitations you must understand before going live.

GoHighLevel WhatsApp scheduling overview

Within GoHighLevel, WhatsApp messages can be sent immediately or scheduled using delays and workflow controls. There are three main ways to control send time:

  • Scheduling from the conversation panel
  • Using workflows with delay steps
  • Using bulk actions and campaigns for large lists

Each option has different rules, especially for personalization fields and message types like templates and notifications. Understanding these rules ensures your WhatsApp messages send correctly and remain compliant with provider policies.

Requirements before using GoHighLevel WhatsApp

Before you can schedule or delay WhatsApp messages through GoHighLevel, make sure the following basics are set up:

  • Your WhatsApp number is connected and verified in your account.
  • WhatsApp messaging is enabled for the sub-account where you plan to send messages.
  • You have the necessary permissions to access conversations, workflows, and bulk actions.
  • Any required WhatsApp templates are already approved and available.

Once these prerequisites are covered, you can use the platform’s scheduling controls without additional configuration in most cases.

How to schedule WhatsApp from the GoHighLevel conversation panel

The conversation panel is where you interact one-on-one with contacts. It also supports delayed or scheduled WhatsApp messages, although with important restrictions based on the chosen user interface mode.

GoHighLevel “tell us what to do” mode

In some GoHighLevel accounts, the conversation panel offers a natural-language assistant mode where you can tell the system what to send. In this mode:

  • You can choose WhatsApp as the channel directly in the panel.
  • You can request a message to be scheduled or delayed.
  • You can select an existing WhatsApp template when supported.

The core limitation here is that free-form personalization fields (such as merge fields that depend on external or dynamic data) are restricted. Only available fields listed in the editor are safe to use for scheduled or delayed sends in this mode.

Standard GoHighLevel WhatsApp message editor

If your GoHighLevel account uses the standard text editor in the conversation panel instead of the conversational assistant, you can still send WhatsApp messages but with stricter limitations when scheduling:

  • You can type and send WhatsApp messages immediately.
  • For delayed or scheduled sends from the panel, only approved templates and supported personalization fields can be used.
  • Unsupported merge fields or dynamic custom fields may prevent proper scheduling.

When you want to use complex personalization or external data, it is usually safer to use workflows, where field mapping and delays are more controlled.

Scheduling WhatsApp via GoHighLevel workflows

Workflows in GoHighLevel provide the most powerful way to schedule WhatsApp messages because you can combine triggers, conditions, delays, and actions.

Step 1: Create or open a GoHighLevel workflow

  1. In your sub-account, navigate to Automation > Workflows.
  2. Create a new workflow or open an existing one where you want to add WhatsApp messages.
  3. Set the trigger (for example: contact tag added, form submitted, or pipeline stage changed).

Step 2: Add a delay for scheduling

To control when your WhatsApp message is sent, insert a delay step:

  1. Click + Add inside the workflow builder.
  2. Choose Delay.
  3. Configure the delay length (minutes, hours, days) or use a specific time window.
  4. Optionally set rules like “execute only on weekdays” or “send only during business hours” depending on your automation design.

This delay defines the schedule for the upcoming WhatsApp step.

Step 3: Add a GoHighLevel WhatsApp action

  1. Click + Add after the delay step.
  2. Select the WhatsApp send action (this may appear as a channel option under SMS/WhatsApp or as a dedicated WhatsApp node depending on your interface).
  3. Choose whether to send a template message or a free-form WhatsApp message where allowed.
  4. Select the WhatsApp number and template (if applicable).

At this stage, you are defining the exact content that will send once the delay completes.

Step 4: Configure personalization fields

When using workflows, GoHighLevel gives you better control over personalization:

  • Use standard contact fields like first name, last name, email, and phone whenever possible.
  • If you are using a WhatsApp template, fill each template variable with the appropriate field.
  • Avoid unsupported or external merge fields that are not recognized in the WhatsApp action.

Messages with invalid or missing variables in templates may fail to send, so always test on a single contact before activating the workflow for all contacts.

Bulk sending and scheduling WhatsApp in GoHighLevel

For campaigns that target many contacts at once, you can use bulk actions or campaigns in GoHighLevel to send WhatsApp messages with controlled timing.

Using bulk actions

  1. Open your Contacts list.
  2. Filter or select the segment you want to message.
  3. Click Bulk Actions and choose the appropriate WhatsApp or campaign option (availability can differ by account setup).
  4. Define your message, template, or workflow enrollment that will control timing.

Bulk actions often work best when they enroll contacts into a workflow where delays and WhatsApp send steps are already configured.

Using campaigns or workflow enrollment

Another method is to:

  • Create a campaign or workflow that includes your WhatsApp steps and delays.
  • Enroll contacts via a bulk action or a trigger event.
  • Allow the delays in the workflow to schedule each WhatsApp send automatically.

This approach centralizes all scheduling logic in the workflow, making it easier to maintain and update.

Limitations of GoHighLevel WhatsApp scheduling

There are some important constraints to keep in mind when planning WhatsApp schedules in GoHighLevel:

  • Personalization fields: Some personalization or merge fields are not compatible with scheduled or delayed WhatsApp messages, especially in the conversation panel.
  • Templates vs free-form: In many cases, only pre-approved WhatsApp templates can be scheduled reliably, particularly for notifications sent outside the standard conversation window.
  • Conversation panel mode: The “tell us what to do” mode has fewer supported fields compared to workflows.
  • Provider rules: WhatsApp providers may impose timing and content restrictions, especially for promotional content or re-engagement messages.

Always verify that your account’s WhatsApp provider configuration matches your planned scheduling strategy.

Best practices for GoHighLevel WhatsApp scheduling

To ensure high deliverability and a good user experience, follow these best practices:

  • Use workflows whenever you need reliable delays and complex personalization.
  • Test every new WhatsApp template on a small internal list before sending it to customers.
  • Keep messages short, clear, and compliant with WhatsApp policies.
  • Avoid sending late at night or outside your audience’s typical engagement hours.
  • Log your tests and results so future campaigns can reuse the most successful timing patterns.

Additional GoHighLevel resources

You can review the original platform documentation for WhatsApp schedule send directly at the official help center: GoHighLevel WhatsApp schedule send article. For strategic implementation help and advanced automation design around GoHighLevel, consider consulting specialists such as Consultevo, who focus on CRM and marketing automation solutions.

By following the steps in this guide and keeping the limitations in mind, you can confidently schedule WhatsApp messages in GoHighLevel using the conversation panel, workflows, or bulk actions, ensuring predictable send times and better engagement across your contact base.

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