SMS marketing has become one of the most effective communication channels for businesses, with open rates reaching 98% compared to email’s 20%. GoHighLevel’s LC-Phone system has implemented comprehensive policies to ensure compliance while maximizing deliverability rates for your business communications. Understanding how to properly configure these automatic SMS settings is crucial for maintaining compliance, improving customer engagement, and scaling your messaging campaigns effectively.
What are GoHighLevel’s Automatic SMS Features
GoHighLevel’s automatic SMS system operates through several key components that work together to ensure regulatory compliance and optimal delivery performance. The platform automatically applies specific policies including sender identification requirements, opt-out language insertion, and progressive sending limits through their ramp-up model. These features are designed to protect your business reputation while ensuring messages reach their intended recipients.
The LC-Phone messaging policy serves as the foundation for all SMS communications within the platform. This comprehensive policy applies to all subaccounts using LC-Phone and emphasizes sending messages only to individuals who have explicitly opted in to receive communications. The system automatically monitors consent requirements, revocation procedures, and sender identification guidelines to maintain compliance with industry standards and applicable laws.
Modern SMS regulations require businesses to clearly identify themselves in initial messages and provide easy opt-out mechanisms. GoHighLevel addresses these requirements through automated systems that add sender information and opt-out language to the first message in every conversation, including Missed Call Text-Back and review requests. This automation reduces manual compliance work while ensuring your messages meet regulatory standards.
Core Features of GoHighLevel’s SMS System
GoHighLevel’s comprehensive SMS platform includes multiple automated features designed to streamline your messaging operations while maintaining compliance:
- Automatic Opt-Out Language: Appends “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” to initial messages with customization options
- Sender Identification: Automatically adds business identification using format “Thanks, [YourName] at [YourBusiness]”
- Ramp-Up Model: Progressive sending limits starting at 100 messages and scaling to 3,000+ based on reputation
- Compliance Monitoring: Real-time scanning for filtering evasion attempts and prohibited content
- DND (Do Not Disturb) Management: Automatic respect for opt-out requests and carrier-level blocks
- Error Rate Tracking: Continuous monitoring of delivery failures and bounce rates
Understanding the SMS Ramp-Up Model
GoHighLevel implemented an 8-level SMS ramp-up system starting February 2024 that affects all new subaccounts using LC-Phone. This progressive system begins with Level 1 allowing 100 messages in the first 24 hours, then increases through structured levels: Level 2 permits 250 messages, Level 3 allows 500 messages, Level 4 enables 750 messages, Level 5 increases to 1,500 messages, Level 6 permits 2,250 messages, Level 7 allows 3,000 messages, and Level 8+ maintains 3,000+ messages daily.
The ramp-up process activates when you send your first successful SMS message, not on the signup date. To progress to the next level, you must send the complete daily limit within a 24-hour period, which then triggers a temporary 24-hour restriction before unlocking the next level. This structured approach helps new accounts establish positive sending reputation with carriers before scaling up messaging volume.
Unlike previous versions, these ramp-up restrictions cannot be modified or removed by agency owners. All message types now count toward daily limits, including one-to-one communications and Missed Call Text Back SMS. This change ensures consistent application of carrier requirements across all messaging activities within the platform.
The system includes intelligent safeguards to prevent accidental violations during the ramp-up period. Attempts to exceed daily limits result in automatic queuing of excess messages until the next level unlocks. This protection mechanism ensures your account maintains good standing with carriers while preventing frustrating message delivery failures during critical business communications.
Why Perspective Funnel Builder Excels for Mobile Marketing
While GoHighLevel offers comprehensive agency management features, Perspective stands out as the premier mobile-first funnel builder designed specifically for modern marketers who prioritize speed and performance. Unlike traditional platforms that adapt desktop interfaces for mobile use, Perspective was built from the ground up with mobile users in mind, resulting in faster loading speeds and more intuitive navigation on smartphones and tablets.
Perspective combines powerful customization capabilities with streamlined usability, featuring built-in CRM functionality, comprehensive analytics, and advanced personalization tools. The platform delivers impressive results, with users reporting conversion rate improvements up to 700% and funnel build times reduced by 42x compared to traditional methods. These performance gains stem from Perspective’s focus on mobile-first design principles and optimized user experience flows.
When comparing Perspective to platforms like GoHighLevel and GrooveFunnels, the key differentiator lies in its balanced approach to complexity and accessibility. While GoHighLevel excels in agency management and client handling, and other platforms focus on basic funnel creation, Perspective bridges this gap by offering sophisticated features within an intuitive interface. This makes it ideal for creators, agencies, and mobile-focused marketers who need professional-grade tools without steep learning curves.
The platform’s seamless integration with over 2,000 apps, including Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and Calendly, ensures it fits naturally into existing marketing workflows while maintaining the mobile-first performance that modern audiences demand. Perspective positions itself perfectly between the complexity of GoHighLevel and the simplicity of basic funnel builders, delivering enterprise-level capabilities with user-friendly execution that doesn’t require extensive technical training or lengthy onboarding processes.
How to Configure SMS Compliance Settings
Accessing and configuring your SMS compliance settings requires navigating to the proper location within your GoHighLevel account structure. Begin by logging into your GoHighLevel account and navigating to the Phone Numbers page in sub-account view. From there, click on Advanced Settings in the top menu to access the comprehensive SMS management options.
Within the Advanced Settings tab, locate the SMS Compliance section where you’ll find the core configuration options for automated compliance features. This area contains two primary checkboxes under “SMS Compliance Customizations and Opt-Out” that control how GoHighLevel handles sender identification and opt-out language in your messages.
The first checkbox, “Make SMS compliant by adding an opt-out message,” ensures every initial message includes required opt-out language such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.” You can customize this default text by clicking the Customize button, allowing you to maintain brand consistency while meeting regulatory requirements. The second checkbox, “Make SMS compliant by adding sender information,” automatically adds sender identification to first messages using the default format “Thanks, [YourName] at [YourBusiness].”
SMS Compliance Configuration Options
Understanding the available compliance settings helps you optimize your messaging strategy while maintaining regulatory adherence:
- Opt-Out Message Customization: Modify default “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” text to match brand voice
- Sender ID Configuration: Customize automatic sender identification format and business information
- Message Filtering Controls: Enable or disable automatic content scanning for prohibited materials
- Consent Verification Settings: Configure requirements for explicit opt-in confirmation
- DND List Management: Automatic addition of STOP requests to do-not-disturb lists
- Retry Logic Configuration: Set parameters for failed message retry attempts
Understanding Compliance Restrictions
Several restrictions apply to SMS compliance settings depending on your account status and configuration. Agencies in trial mode cannot disable sender ID and opt-out checkboxes, ensuring compliance during critical evaluation periods. Similarly, locations created within the last 15 days cannot disable these checkboxes, protecting new accounts during their initial setup phase.
Account Users and Admins no longer have the ability to disable sender information and opt-out language options. This restriction maintains consistency across accounts and prevents accidental compliance violations that could impact messaging reputation or deliverability rates. The system prioritizes carrier relationships and regulatory adherence over user convenience in these critical areas.
The system includes intelligent opt-out logic that prevents duplicate compliance language in your messages. If your message already contains opt-out wording like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” or similar phrases, GoHighLevel will not add additional opt-out language, maintaining message clarity and professional appearance. This smart detection prevents redundant compliance text that could confuse recipients or appear unprofessional.
Customizing Compliance Text
When customization is available, you can modify both opt-out messages and sender information to better reflect your brand voice while maintaining regulatory compliance. Click the Customize button next to each checkbox to edit the default text for opt-out messages or sender information. Your custom text must still meet regulatory requirements, particularly for opt-out instructions which should be clear and actionable.
Effective opt-out language should be concise and easily understood, such as “Text STOP to opt out” or “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.” Sender information should clearly identify your business and provide context for the recipient, such as “This message from [Business Name]” or “Thanks, [Name] from [Company].” Always save your changes after making adjustments to ensure they apply to future SMS communications.
Testing your customized compliance text ensures it displays correctly across different device types and carrier networks. Send test messages to various phone numbers and carriers to verify your compliance language appears as intended. This proactive approach prevents potential issues that could arise from formatting problems or carrier-specific display variations.
Managing Automatic Review Request SMS Templates
GoHighLevel’s reputation management system includes sophisticated SMS template customization for automated review requests. Access these features by selecting Reputation from the left-hand menu, then clicking the Settings tab at the top of the page. This opens the comprehensive area where you can manage and customize your SMS review request templates.
Navigate to SMS Requests in the left-hand menu under Reputation Settings to access all options for scheduling, customizing, and managing recurring SMS review request templates. Enable SMS Review Requests by turning on the toggle, which activates template management and customization capabilities for your automated review campaigns. The system provides granular control over timing, frequency, and content to maximize review generation while maintaining professional communication standards.
Configure your SMS timing by using the “When to send SMS after check-in?” dropdown to determine how soon review requests are sent after customer interactions. Options include immediate sending, delayed sending after 1, 2, or 4 hours, or custom delays that fit your specific follow-up strategy. Set repeat frequency using the “Until clicked, repeat this every” dropdown to choose how often SMS review requests should be resent until recipients interact with them.
Review Request Template Components
Successful review request templates incorporate multiple elements designed to maximize response rates while maintaining professional communication standards:
- Personalization Tokens: Use {{contact.first_name}} and {{business.name}} for customized messaging
- Visual Elements: Include SVG, PNG, or JPG images to enhance message appeal and brand recognition
- Clear Call-to-Action: Direct recipients to specific review platforms with simple, actionable language
- Timing Optimization: Schedule messages during peak engagement hours for maximum visibility
- Mobile-Friendly Formatting: Ensure templates display correctly on smartphone screens
- Brand Consistency: Maintain consistent voice, tone, and visual elements across all templates
Creating Custom SMS Templates
The template creation process offers two primary approaches: building from scratch or selecting from pre-built templates. Click “Create New” to start building a fresh SMS template, which provides complete control over content and personalization. In the Create a New SMS Template window, choose either “Create New from Scratch” for full customization or “Select from Pre-Built Templates” to use existing designs as starting points.
When building from scratch, the SMS Template Builder allows you to design every aspect of your message. Name your template with clear, descriptive titles for easy identification later. Enable the “Request with Image” option if you want to include visual elements in your messages, then upload SVG, PNG, or JPG files to enhance your requests visually.
Advanced customization includes adding custom image URLs for dynamic personalization, such as links from NiftyImages that update with contact-specific data. Craft your SMS content using custom tokens like {{contact.first_name}} to personalize text for each recipient. Save completed templates to store them for future use across different campaigns and retry sequences.
Advanced Template Management
The template management system allows sophisticated control over review request sequences through the “Set SMS Templates” function. Assign specific templates to each retry stage in your recurring sequence, enabling you to vary follow-up messages for better engagement while maintaining consistent branding throughout the customer journey. This approach prevents message fatigue while increasing the likelihood of successful review generation.
You can assign the same template to multiple retries or use different templates to create varied messaging experiences. This flexibility allows you to escalate urgency, change messaging tone, or provide different incentives at various stages of your review request sequence. Strategic template variation often improves overall response rates compared to repetitive messaging approaches.
Template duplication features enable efficient workflow management by allowing you to create copies of existing templates for modification without affecting originals. Use the copy icon in the “Manage Your SMS Templates” section to duplicate templates, then edit the copies to create variations for different campaigns, customer segments, or seasonal promotions. This workflow saves significant time while maintaining consistency across related campaigns.
Configuring Missed Call Text Back Settings
Missed Call Text Back (MCTB) represents one of GoHighLevel’s most powerful automated SMS features, enabling businesses to immediately respond to missed calls with customized messages. This feature now falls under the same compliance requirements as other SMS communications, meaning sender identification and opt-out language are automatically added to MCTB messages unless already present. The integration ensures consistent regulatory compliance across all automated communication channels.
Setting up custom MCTB responses involves accessing your phone system settings and configuring automated responses that trigger when incoming calls go unanswered. The system allows you to create personalized messages that acknowledge the missed call, provide alternative contact methods, and guide prospects toward desired actions such as booking appointments or visiting your website. Effective MCTB messages bridge the gap between initial interest and successful engagement.
MCTB messages count toward your daily SMS limits under the current ramp-up model. This change from previous versions means you must factor MCTB volume into your overall SMS strategy and daily sending calculations. Plan your MCTB usage accordingly to ensure you maintain capacity for other essential SMS communications throughout your daily limit cycle.
The system provides detailed analytics for MCTB performance, including response rates, conversion tracking, and engagement metrics. Monitor these statistics regularly to optimize your MCTB messages for better performance and higher conversion rates. Successful MCTB campaigns often show significant improvements in lead response times and overall customer satisfaction scores.
Personalizing MCTB Messages
Effective MCTB messages should acknowledge the missed call, provide value to the caller, and include clear next steps for engagement. Use dynamic tokens to personalize messages with caller information when available, and ensure your MCTB messages align with your overall brand voice and customer communication strategy. Personalization significantly improves response rates compared to generic automated messages.
Consider including multiple contact options in your MCTB messages, such as alternative phone numbers, email addresses, or direct links to scheduling systems. This approach maximizes the chances of successful contact while providing convenient options for prospects who prefer different communication methods. Multi-channel accessibility often leads to higher conversion rates and improved customer experience.
Testing different MCTB message variations helps identify the most effective approaches for your specific audience and industry. Create multiple versions with different tones, lengths, and call-to-action strategies to determine which generates the highest response rates. Regular optimization based on performance data ensures your MCTB system continues improving over time.
Troubleshooting Common SMS Issues
SMS delivery issues can stem from various factors including compliance violations, carrier restrictions, or account configuration problems. Monitor your SMS delivery rates regularly and investigate any significant drops in performance, as these often indicate underlying issues that require attention. Proactive monitoring prevents small problems from escalating into larger deliverability challenges.
Common compliance-related issues include missing opt-out language, unclear sender identification, or sending to recipients who haven’t provided explicit consent. GoHighLevel’s automated compliance features address many of these issues, but understanding the requirements helps you create better initial message content and avoid potential problems. Regular compliance audits ensure your messaging practices remain aligned with evolving regulations.
Rate limiting issues often occur when accounts attempt to exceed their current ramp-up level limits. Remember that temporary restrictions apply after hitting daily limits, and progression to higher levels requires completing the full limit within 24-hour periods followed by waiting periods before advancing. Planning your message distribution throughout the day helps avoid hitting limits during critical business periods.
Carrier-specific delivery problems sometimes occur due to content filtering or reputation issues with individual carriers. Different carriers apply varying filtering criteria, meaning messages that deliver successfully on one network might face restrictions on another. Understanding these differences helps you craft messages that perform consistently across all major carrier networks.
Optimizing SMS Performance
Successful SMS campaigns require balancing compliance requirements with engaging content that drives action. Focus on creating clear, valuable messages that respect recipient preferences while achieving your business objectives. Monitor response rates, opt-out rates, and conversion metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and optimization.
Consider segmenting your SMS audiences based on engagement levels, purchase history, or demographic factors to deliver more targeted messages. This approach often improves response rates while reducing opt-out rates, contributing to better overall campaign performance and carrier reputation. Strategic segmentation also enables more personalized messaging that resonates better with specific audience segments.
Regular performance analysis helps identify trends and optimization opportunities within your SMS campaigns. Track metrics including delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to understand what messaging approaches work best for your audience. Use this data to refine your messaging strategy and improve future campaign performance.
Integration Capabilities and Advanced Features
GoHighLevel’s SMS system integrates seamlessly with other platform features to create comprehensive marketing automation workflows. Connect SMS campaigns with email sequences, appointment scheduling, pipeline management, and customer relationship management tools for unified customer communication experiences. These integrations enable sophisticated automation scenarios that nurture leads through complete sales funnels.
The platform supports advanced automation triggers based on customer behavior, engagement levels, and lifecycle stages. Set up automated SMS sequences that respond to website visits, email interactions, appointment bookings, or purchase behaviors to create highly personalized customer journeys. This behavioral targeting significantly improves engagement rates compared to generic broadcast messaging approaches.
API access enables custom integrations with external tools and platforms for businesses requiring specialized connectivity. Developer-friendly documentation supports integration with CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, marketing tools, and custom applications. This flexibility ensures GoHighLevel’s SMS capabilities can adapt to virtually any business workflow or technical requirement.
Advanced reporting and analytics provide detailed insights into SMS campaign performance across multiple dimensions. Track metrics by time period, audience segment, message type, and campaign objective to understand what drives success in your specific business context. Comprehensive analytics enable data-driven optimization decisions that improve ROI over time.
Choose the Right Platform for Mobile-First Success
Selecting the appropriate SMS and marketing automation platform depends on your specific business needs, technical requirements, and growth objectives. GoHighLevel offers comprehensive agency management features with robust SMS capabilities, making it ideal for businesses managing multiple clients and complex campaign requirements. However, the platform’s complexity and learning curve may exceed the needs of smaller businesses or individual creators.
For businesses prioritizing mobile-first marketing with streamlined workflows, Perspective provides an optimal balance of powerful features and user-friendly design. The platform’s mobile-native approach ensures optimal performance on smartphones and tablets, while built-in CRM and analytics capabilities provide essential business intelligence without overwhelming complexity. The streamlined interface reduces training time while maintaining professional-grade functionality.
Consider Perspective particularly if you’re a mobile-focused marketer who values speed, personalization, and performance in a mobile-first environment. The platform’s proven track record of improving conversion rates and reducing funnel creation time makes it a smart choice for businesses ready to embrace mobile-first marketing strategies without sacrificing professional capabilities or customization options. Perspective delivers the perfect combination of sophistication and simplicity that modern mobile marketers demand for sustainable growth and exceptional user experiences.
