Missed-call-text-back is the single highest-ROI feature in GoHighLevel for any local service business that receives inbound calls. When a call goes unanswered, GoHighLevel automatically sends an SMS from your business number within 60 seconds — keeping the lead engaged before they call a competitor. Here is exactly how to set it up.
What You Need Before Starting
You need a GoHighLevel account with a sub-account configured for your business. You also need a phone number purchased inside GoHighLevel (Settings > Phone Numbers > Buy Number). This number becomes the sending number for your missed-call messages. Your existing business calls should be forwarded to this GoHighLevel number, or you should update your Google Business Profile and website to display the GoHighLevel number directly.
Step 1: Enable Missed Call Text Back in Settings
In your GoHighLevel sub-account, go to Settings > Business Profile. Scroll down to the Missed Call Text Back section. Toggle it on. You will see a text field for your missed-call message. Write a conversational message — not robotic. Something like: "Hey, sorry we missed your call! We're with a customer right now. What can we help you with?" Keep it under 160 characters to avoid SMS splitting.
Step 2: Configure Your Message Content
The message should do three things: acknowledge the missed call, provide a reason that does not sound like you are ignoring them, and invite a response. Avoid messages that sound automated — "Thank you for contacting [Business Name]. A representative will be in touch shortly" will get ignored. "Hey, we just missed you — what's going on with your [service]?" gets responses.
Step 3: Test the Setup
Call your GoHighLevel number from a personal cell phone and let it ring through to voicemail without answering. Within 60 to 90 seconds, you should receive an SMS on your personal phone from the business number. If the message does not arrive, check that the phone number in GoHighLevel has SMS capabilities enabled and that the sub-account settings show Missed Call Text Back as active.
Step 4: Set Up a Conversation Workflow for Replies
When a prospect replies to the missed-call message, you need a workflow to handle that reply. In GoHighLevel, go to Automation > Workflows > New Workflow. Set the trigger to "Customer Replied." Add an action to notify the assigned user via email or SMS so they can respond quickly. Optionally, add an automated response to buy time: "Great — we'll have someone reach out within the next 15 minutes."
Step 5: Monitor Results
GoHighLevel tracks all conversations in the Conversations tab. Review weekly to see how many missed-call texts are being sent, how many are getting replies, and what percentage of replies are converting to booked appointments. Most local service businesses see 15 to 30 percent of missed-call text replies turn into booked jobs when handled promptly.
Common Issues and Fixes
If messages are not sending, verify the phone number has SMS enabled under Settings > Phone Numbers. If messages are sending but not being received, the prospect's carrier may be blocking messages from unrecognized numbers — this is less common but can happen with certain carriers. If replies are coming in but no one is responding, set up a notification workflow so the right person gets alerted immediately.