Email Marketing & Automation in HighLevel

Overview

HighLevel’s email marketing system provides comprehensive tools for creating, sending, and automating email campaigns. The platform includes a visual email builder, advanced segmentation, automation workflows, and detailed analytics - all without requiring third-party integrations.

Core Email Features

• Drag-and-Drop Builder: Create professional emails using pre-built templates or custom designs
• Email Automation: Set up triggered emails based on user actions, dates, or custom conditions
• Segmentation: Target specific contact groups based on tags, custom fields, or behavior
• A/B Testing: Test subject lines, content, and send times to optimize performance
• Deliverability Tools: Built-in SMTP configuration, domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• Analytics: Track opens, clicks, bounces, unsubscribes, and conversions

Email Types

Campaigns: One-time broadcasts sent to selected contact lists or segments.

Drip Sequences: Automated series of emails sent on a schedule or triggered by specific actions.

Transactional Emails: Automated receipts, confirmations, and notifications related to user activity.

Automation Workflows

Email automation in HighLevel operates through the Workflow Builder, which allows you to:

• Send emails based on form submissions, calendar bookings, or pipeline stage changes
• Add conditional logic (if/then statements) to personalize email paths
• Combine emails with SMS, tasks, and other actions in a single workflow
• Set wait timers between emails (minutes, hours, days, or weeks)
• Tag contacts automatically based on email engagement

Personalization & Dynamic Content

All emails support merge fields for dynamic content insertion:

• Contact information (name, email, phone, company)
• Custom fields (any data stored on the contact record)
• Appointment details (date, time, location)
• Pipeline information (deal value, stage, close date)

Deliverability Management

HighLevel provides multiple sending options:

• Native SMTP: Built-in email sending with shared IP pools
• Mailgun Integration: Connect your Mailgun account for dedicated sending
• Custom SMTP: Use SendGrid, Amazon SES, or any SMTP provider

Recommended practice: Use a dedicated domain for email sending (separate from your main website domain) to protect your primary domain reputation.

Compliance Features

• Automatic unsubscribe links in all marketing emails
• Physical address inclusion (CAN-SPAM compliance)
• Suppression list management
• GDPR-compliant data handling

Use Case Example: Welcome Sequence

Scenario: Auto parts supplier wants to nurture new leads.

Workflow:

1. Lead submits form on website
2. Wait 5 minutes → Email 1: Welcome + catalog download
3. Wait 2 days → Email 2: Best-selling products showcase
4. Wait 3 days → Email 3: Limited-time discount offer
5. Wait 4 days → Email 4: Customer testimonials + social proof
6. If no response → Add tag “Cold Lead” and end sequence
7. If email opened 3+ times → Notify sales rep via task

Email Limitations

• Shared SMTP: 250 emails/hour per location (can upgrade to dedicated IP)
• Email size: 10MB maximum (including attachments)
• Attachments: Up to 5 files per email