How to set up automated and bulk SMS in GoHighLevel
This guide will walk you through the process of sending SMS messages through the newly released ClickSend SMS connector within GoHighLevel.
There are two ways to send SMS via GoHighLevel:
- Automated SMS via Workflow Automation
- Individual & Bulk SMS via Conversation and Global Provider
Installation
Step 1: Login to your GoHighlevel account.
Step 2: Open the Official ClickSend SMS app in the GoHighlevel Marketplace.
Step 3: Click the Install button. Then add your credentials.
Step 4: Check the Agency you want to use and check ‘Allow access to all sub-account ‘Agency Name’. Hit proceed.
Note: You must allow access as you can only use the integration or Send SMS within the sub-account.
(Optional) Step 5: if you want ClickSend auto installed on any new accounts, check ‘Enable Automatic Future installation and hit Proceed.
How to connect ClickSend to GoHighLevel
Now, you’ll need to authenticate and set up your ClickSend account within GoHighLevel.
Step 1: You should be redirected to a login page. Enter your ClickSend credentials and hit Next. Find your Username and API Key. .
Step 2: Then, select your Sender ID and hit Connect.
Please note, if you want to change the Sender ID later, you will need to reinstall the app and update the Sender ID via this page.
Once you log in, you’ll be redirected to your GoHighLevel dashboard. You can now start to send and receive SMS from GoHighLevel.
How to set up an automated SMS workflow
Step 1: From the GoHighLevel dashboard, switch to the relevant sub-account and navigate to Automation.
Step 2: Click Create workflow on the upper right side of the Automation page and in the drop-down, select Start from scratch.
Step 3: You will then be redirected to the actual workflow. Add your Workflow name on the top middle part of the page.
Step 4: You can start setting up your automation by adding a new trigger. In this example, let’s use ‘Contact Tag’ as a trigger.
Step 5: Add filter and select Tag Added and select a tag name. You may add a new one, in this example, I created a ‘reminder’ tag and saved the trigger.
Step 6: Now let’s add action, simply click the + action and search for ClickSend SMS from the drop-down list.
Step 7: Select Sender ID from the From field. All Sender IDs are supported in this integration. However, Country-restriction applies.Note: You’ll need to check that alpha tags and own numbers are approved. in your ClickSend Dashboard. Remember, alpha tags and own numbers do not support replies.
Step 8: By default, the To number field is set to fetch recipient’s phone number from the GoHighLevel contact. You can skip this as this has been set for you.
Step 9: You can now compose your message from the Message field. Please note that a standard SMS is 160 characters. Once you are done, hit Save Action.
Step 10: Toggle from Draft to Publish and hit Save.
Step 11: You can now add the tag to your preferred contact or to your recipient. Go to contact and open the recipient you want to set up SMS automation to.
Step 12: On the left side of the contact page, you will see the tag field and type in the tag name you have set in the automation.
Step 13: Once the tag is added, wait for the automated message to be sent and appear in the contact’s page and conversation modal.To ensure that the message has been sent, you can double check your ClickSend history.
Set-up ClickSend SMS Inbound Trigger
Learn how to set up your ClickSend SMS Inbound Trigger. In this example, we’ll set up a keyword trigger. When anyone replies to your initial message with the set keyword, a note will be added in their contact.
Step 1: Go to Automations page, create an automation and select Start from scratch.
Step 2: Add a trigger by clicking on the + Add new Trigger and search for ClickSend SMS Inbound from the Trigger list.
Step 3: Let’s add a filter ‘Message’, ‘Contains Phrase’ and any keyword.
In this example the keyword is join.
Step 4: Now, we need to capture the right contact. To do this, we will need to add another action which is Find Contact and select From Phone from the drop-down list under Fields.
Step 5: Select the tag icon and select our app ClickSend SMS’ from the drop-down list. Select ClickSend Inbound and select From number from the list of available parameters. Hit Save Action.
Now, you notice that there are two conditions: On the left-side ‘Contact Found’ and on the right ‘Contact not found’.
Step 6: Under Contact Found, let’s add a note. In this example, let’s use Incoming message triggered by: ClickSend Message Trigger Setup.
and save action.
Step 7: Toggle to Publish and Save again.
Step 8: To initiate the conversation, go to the contact's page and open the contact you want to send your message to.
Step 9: Compose your message and hit send.
Step 10: Once the recipient replies with the keyword ‘join’, a note will be added to this contact.
That’s it, you’re all set.
How to send bulk SMS via conversation provider
Before sending bulk SMS using the GHL SMS module, you have to configure our conversation provider.
Step 1: Go to Settings, Select Phone numbers
Step 2: Go to Advanced Settings -> Select ClickSend SMS as a custom provider
Step 3: You can upload your contacts through the contacts page or manually add multiple contacts.
Step 4: Once uploaded, you can select multiple contacts from the contacts page
Step 5: Click the SMS icon on top to be able to send your messages.
Step 6: You may now compose your message in the text area under the SMS module and hit send.Note: It is recommended to send a maximum of 1,000 messages for the better SMS sending experience.
For more information, see GHL’s help docs: GHL Phone Messaging Policy.
How to send Single SMS via conversation provider
Now, to be able to send Single SMS, you may opt to use the SMS Module or ClickSend SMS from the conversation provider.If you wish to send SMS from the SMS module. You need to follow the same steps (1 and 2) to configure our conversation provider above.
If you wish to send SMS using ClickSend SMS, no configuration is needed; you can send your message from the text area without any additional setup.
Step 1: Create a contact with a mobile number and other details (if required) and save.
Step 2: Select ClickSend SMS as your Custom provider, compose your message in the text area. Then hit send.
That’s it, nice and easy.
Replies/Inbound SMS
All Inbound SMS will be received and added to each contact’s SMS modal within the Contacts page > ClickSend SMS (Custom Provider)
Additionally. all replies will be saved under the Conversations page.
FAQs
Q: I can't see 'automation' and 'conversation provider'. What should I do?
A: You need to have a sub-account to use our connector and send SMS. Switch to sub-account and you will see automations and Conversation provider on the left panel.
Q: Can I update my credentials from GoHighlevel?
A: Unfortunately, you will need to reinstall the app to update your credentials.
Q: How do I select my FROM number or sender?
A: You can change the Sender ID in our automation action. However, if you want to change the Sender ID for the conversation provider, you'll need to reinstall the app. (Reinstallation is only required for the sub-account.)
Q: Are placeholders supported?
A: Placeholders are only supported in automation actions, where you can add dynamic fields. However, they are not supported in conversations.
Q: What number or sender is supported?
A: It depends on what country or region you are sending to. See country number restrictions here.
You must enable global sending for each country or region you're targeting. Then, you can register available senders for each country via the Buy a Number page in the ClickSend Dashboard.
For assistance, please reach out to ClickSend support or find out more here.
Q: Where can I find my API credentials?
A: Your API key is found in the ClickSend Dashboard: ClickSend
Q: Why can’t I log in from my other account?
A: GoHighLevel saves the first credentials used after installation. You need to reinstall the app to log in from a different account.
Q: How do I make sure the Inbound trigger passes data to other actions or components?
A: Please add 'Find contact' as an action to the workflow to ensure this contact captures the data. We have prepared a walk-through of this in our documentation. View documentation.
Q: What's the maximum number of recipients your bulk SMS support?
A: Our bulk SMS can support up to 1,000 recipients.
Q: How do I select my Sender ID or FROM number when sending bulk SMS from the conversation provider?
A: Our integration allows you to select your Sender ID only after logging in with your credentials following installation. Afterward, you won’t be able to update your Sender ID unless you reinstall it.
Q: Is there a way to change my Sender ID without re-installing the app?
A: Unfortunately, you will need to reinstall the app if you wish to change your Sender ID from the conversation provider.
Q. Why does GoHighLevel show a lower sending limit (100 messages per day)?
A: When you first start using GoHighLevel for messaging, the system sets a lower daily message limit of 100 messages per day. This is part of the ramp-up system, which gradually increases your message limit as you continue to use the platform responsibly. Over time, as your account demonstrates healthy usage, your limit can increase. For more information about GoHighLevel’s phone messaging policy, please refer to our official Phone Messaging Policy Guide.
Troubleshooting SMS Sending Issues
If you are unable to send SMS successfully using ClickSend, follow these troubleshooting steps:
1. Verify Credentials
- Ensure that you are using the correct credentials.
- Use your ClickSend username and API key, not your password.
2. Check Account Balance
- Your account may have insufficient funds.
- To check your balance and top up, visit our Billing page [here].
3. Resolving Issues After Regenerating API Key
If you recently regenerated your API key in ClickSend and are experiencing message failures in GHL (GoHighLevel), follow these steps:
Why does this happen?
- GHL retains the old API key, preventing successful communication with ClickSend.
- When the ClickSend app is uninstalled and reinstalled, the old webhook remains, causing conflicts.
Steps to Fix the Issue
- Install the ClickSend App in GHL
Log in to GHL and install the ClickSend app.
- Log in to the ClickSend Dashboard
Navigate to Account Settings.
Regenerate the API key used during the initial setup.
Use this new API key in GHL after reinstalling the app.
- Attempt to Send a Message in GHL
This will likely fail because GHL still retains the old API key.
- Uninstall the ClickSend App in GHL
Remove the ClickSend integration from GHL.
- Delete the Old Webhook in ClickSend
Log in to the ClickSend Dashboard.
Locate and delete the old webhook created during the initial setup. If you don’t delete it, you may receive duplicate messages.
This step is crucial to prevent conflicts with the new API key.
- Reinstall the ClickSend App in GHL
Use the newly generated API key during the setup process.
- Send a Test Message
Once the app is reinstalled, try sending a test SMS.
The message should now be sent successfully.
Why is Deleting the Old Webhook Important?
- The old webhook remains in ClickSend even after regenerating the API key.
- If not deleted, it can cause conflicts with the new API key when the app is reinstalled.
- Deleting the old webhook ensures a clean setup and smooth functionality.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve any issues related to sending SMS through ClickSend in GHL.