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REVSET LABS · EXPERT GUIDE·Automation & Workflows

Automate New Lead Notifications (Email/SMS) in GoHighLevel

792 words·3 min read·Updated 27 April 2026·beginner·
Arsalan ZaffarArsalan ZaffarLinkedIn

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Quick Answer

To set up new lead email or SMS notifications in GoHighLevel, go to Automation → Workflows. Create a new workflow with a "Contact Created" trigger, then add a "Send Internal Notification" action for email or SMS. This setup typically takes about 5-7 minutes.

Key Takeaways
  • Always use the "Contact Created" trigger to ensure notifications fire for all new leads.
  • Utilize the "Send Internal Notification" action for reliable email or SMS alerts to your team or clients.
  • Personalize your notifications with custom values like `{{contact.name}}` for immediate, actionable insights.
  • Test your workflow thoroughly with a dummy contact before setting it live to prevent missed alerts.
  • Be mindful of internal notification rate limits (500 per user/5 mins) to ensure consistent delivery for high-volume accounts.

Setting Up Your New Lead Notification Workflow

Automating new lead notifications is crucial for quick follow-up and improved conversion rates. This guide walks you through creating a GoHighLevel workflow that automatically sends email or SMS alerts to you or your clients whenever a new lead enters your system. Follow these steps to ensure no lead ever slips through the cracks.

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Access the Workflows SectionFrom your GoHighLevel dashboard, click on Automation in the left-hand menu. Then, select Workflows to access the workflow builder, where you will create your notification system.
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Create a New WorkflowClick the green + Create workflow button located in the top right corner of the screen. When prompted, choose the Start from scratch option to begin with a blank workflow canvas.
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Define the Workflow TriggerClick on + Add new Workflow Trigger. In the search bar, type and select Contact Created. This trigger ensures your workflow activates every time a new contact is added to your GoHighLevel account, regardless of its origin.
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Configure the Trigger Filters (Optional)Under the Contact Created trigger, you can add filters to specify which new leads should trigger the notification. For example, add a filter for 'Lead Source is [Specific Source]' or 'Tags includes [New Lead]' to refine your alerts. Click Save Trigger once configured.
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Add the Internal Notification ActionClick the + icon directly below your configured trigger. From the action menu that appears, select Send Internal Notification. This action is designed to send alerts to specific users, email addresses, or phone numbers within your organization.
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Configure the Notification DetailsIn the Send Internal Notification action window, first choose the Type of notification you want to send: either Email or SMS. Next, select the Send To option; you can choose Custom Email or Custom Phone to input specific addresses, or Assigned User if leads are assigned to team members.
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Customize Your Notification ContentIf you selected Email, enter a clear Subject line like 'New Lead Alert: {{contact.name}}' and compose your Message using custom values to include lead details. If you selected SMS, create a concise Message using custom values, such as 'New Lead! Name: {{contact.name}}, Phone: {{contact.phone}}'. Click Save Action when you are finished.
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Save and Publish Your WorkflowAfter configuring your notification action, click Save Action. Then, in the top right corner of the workflow builder, change the workflow status from Draft to Publish. Finally, click Save again to activate your new lead notification system and ensure it starts running immediately.
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⚠️ GoHighLevel enforces rate limits for internal notifications: 500 notifications per user (email, phone, or user ID) within a 5-minute window for each workflow. Exceeding this limit will cause notifications to be skipped and can introduce delays in workflow processing. Design your workflows to respect these limits, especially for high-volume lead generation.

🔥 Pro Tip

Always use custom values like `{{contact.name}}`, `{{contact.email}}`, and `{{contact.phone}}` in your notification messages. This makes alerts more informative and actionable, allowing for quicker follow-up by providing all necessary lead information at a glance.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

⚠️ My workflow is not triggering for new leads.
Check your Workflow Trigger settings. Ensure it is set to Contact Created and that any applied filters (e.g., 'Lead Source' or 'Tags') accurately match the details of the new contacts you expect to trigger the workflow. Also, verify the workflow status is 'Published'.
⚠️ Notifications are not being sent or received.
Verify the Send Internal Notification action. Confirm the correct Type (Email/SMS) is selected and that the 'Send To' email address or phone number is accurate. If sending emails, check spam folders. Review the workflow's History tab to see if the action attempted to fire or encountered an error.
⚠️ I am receiving too many notifications or notifications are delayed.
You might be hitting the internal notification rate limits (500 notifications per user per 5 minutes per workflow). Consider refining your trigger filters to notify only on critical leads or add a Wait step of a few minutes before the notification action for high-volume workflows to spread out alerts.
⚠️ Notification content is generic or missing lead details.
Edit your Send Internal Notification action. Ensure you are using Custom Values (e.g., `{{contact.name}}`, `{{contact.email}}`, `{{contact.phone}}`) within your email subject/body or SMS message. These dynamic placeholders pull in specific lead information automatically.
⚠️ Notifications are going to the wrong recipient.
In the Send Internal Notification action, double-check the Send To field. If using 'Custom Email' or 'Custom Phone', verify the exact address or number entered. If using 'Assigned User', ensure the new lead is correctly assigned to the intended user within GoHighLevel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to switch the workflow status from Draft to Publish and click Save. This is a common oversight that prevents the workflow from ever running.
  • Using an incorrect workflow trigger, such as 'Form Submitted' when leads are imported or created manually. Always use Contact Created for all new lead scenarios.
  • Sending generic notifications without leveraging Custom Values. This misses a key opportunity to provide immediate, actionable details about the new lead.
  • Ignoring the internal notification rate limits (500 per user/5 mins/workflow) for high-volume lead generation. This can lead to missed alerts and overall workflow delays.
  • Skipping the crucial step of testing the workflow with a dummy contact before activating it. Untested workflows can lead to incorrect or non-existent notifications in a live environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat is the purpose of internal notifications for new leads?
Internal notifications ensure that you or your team are immediately alerted when a new lead enters your GoHighLevel system. This real-time awareness allows for prompt follow-up, which is critical for lead conversion. It minimizes the time a new lead waits for a response, significantly improving the chances of engagement and successful sales outcomes. These alerts can be tailored to provide essential lead details directly to the relevant team members, streamlining your lead management process.
QHow do I choose between email and SMS for internal notifications?
The choice between email and SMS depends on the urgency and preferred communication method for your team. SMS notifications are typically more immediate and suitable for critical, time-sensitive leads requiring instant attention, as they are often seen quicker. Email notifications offer more space for detailed information and can be better for less urgent leads or when comprehensive data, such as notes or specific lead sources, needs to be shared. Consider your team's workflow and response expectations when making this decision.
QWhat are the rate limits for internal notifications in GoHighLevel?
GoHighLevel enforces rate limits for internal notifications to maintain system performance and prevent abuse. For each unique user (identified by email, phone, or user ID), you can send up to 500 notifications within a 5-minute window per workflow. This means if you have multiple workflows, each has its own 500/5min limit to that user. These limits help ensure that the system remains responsive and reliable, even during periods of high activity or large lead imports.
QWhat happens if I exceed the internal notification rate limits?
If your workflow attempts to send more than 500 notifications to a single user within a 5-minute period, any notifications beyond that limit will be skipped. This means those specific alerts will not be delivered to the intended recipient. Exceeding these limits can also cause overall delays in your workflow processing for other actions. It is crucial to design your workflows to account for these limits, especially when dealing with large lead imports or high-volume campaigns.
QCan I send new lead notifications to a client and myself simultaneously?
Yes, you absolutely can. Within the same "Send Internal Notification" action, if you choose "Custom Email" or "Custom Phone" for the 'Send To' option, you can enter multiple comma-separated email addresses or phone numbers. Alternatively, for more distinct messaging or different notification types, you can add multiple "Send Internal Notification" actions within the workflow, each configured to send to a different recipient (e.g., one to yourself via SMS and another to your client via email).
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Some links are affiliate links — if you sign up we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend GoHighLevel because we build on it every day.

Arsalan Zaffar
Arsalan Zaffar
Revset Labs · Revenue Systems · 78+ GHL Builds

Arsalan writes GHL guides from real build experience — 78+ systems, $9.2M in client pipeline. Wharton, CXL & Google certified.

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Tags:GoHighLevelGHLWorkflowsNotificationsLead ManagementAutomation