30 Aug 2025 11 min read Migration to GoHighLevel

Zero-Downtime Migration to GoHighLevel, with system-specific playbooks

You run email, CRM, funnels, and booking across multiple tools, you want one stack in GoHighLevel, and you need a clean, reversible migration.

Keep deliverability steady, keep data intact, cut tool bloat, move fast.

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Who this is for

You run email, CRM, funnels, and booking across multiple tools, you want one stack in GoHighLevel, and you need a clean, reversible migration.

Outcomes

One stack, CRM, email, SMS, funnels, calendars, pipelines, attribution
No lost tags, segments, or suppressions
Deliverability protected by phased warmup
Automations rebuilt as GoHighLevel Workflows
Ad conversions and revenue tracked to contact level

The 7-day base SOP

Day 0, sender and tracking

Create a sending subdomain, for example mail.yourbrand.com
Add SPF, DKIM, DMARC in DNS, verify in GoHighLevel
Enable Google Ads offline conversions and Meta Conversions API from Workflows
Choose path, keep your current ESP as SMTP in GoHighLevel for week one, or send natively and warm cohorts

Day 1, export and mapping

Export contacts, lists, segments, tags, custom fields, last activity
Export all suppressions, unsubscribes, bounces, complaints
Export templates and content blocks
Map, lists to tags, segments to Smart Lists, fields one to one, suppressions to Email DND

Day 2, import with suppression control

Import active contacts with fields and tags
Import suppression files, set Email DND true via a one-time Workflow, then archive the staging tags
Build Smart Lists, 30, 60, 90-day engaged, VIPs, buyers, trials, churn risks

Day 3, forms, pages, attribution

Rebuild forms in GoHighLevel Forms, add hidden UTMs and click IDs, utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign, gclid, wbraid, fbclid
Recreate top landing pages in Funnels or Sites, match URLs where possible
If needed for 24 hours, embed old forms, then swap

Day 4, automations to Workflows

Rebuild Welcome, Lead magnet, Nurture, Sales promo, Post-purchase, Reactivation, Appointment flows
Use triggers, form submitted, tag added, purchase received, appointment status changed, Email Events opened or clicked
Replace goals with Event happened checks and Go To steps
Add a Preference Center flow that updates topics and frequency fields, sets Email DND for full opt out

Day 5, templates and warmup

Recreate templates, header, footer, legal links, unsubscribe and preferences
Warm by cohorts, recent clickers, then openers, then 90-day engaged, hold cold segments for re-permission
Seed test to Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail

Day 6, cutover

Replace site forms and pages with GoHighLevel versions
Pause old automations and scheduled sends, keep the old account for reporting for 2 to 4 weeks
Validate attribution events in ad platforms

Day 7, monitor and tighten

Watch opens, clicks, replies, unsubscribes, complaints, bounce codes, revenue attribution
Consolidate duplicate fields and tags, standardize naming, lock Smart Lists and core Workflows
Document DNS, list health, mapping, automations, thresholds

Insights that prevent problems

Warmup is segmentation, not throttling. Send to clickers, then openers, then 90-day engaged. Hold 180-day inactive for re-permission.
Use one audience. Lists become tags, targeting becomes Smart Lists. No duplicate silos.
Preference center beats list juggling. Store topics and frequency in fields, suppress via logic, not extra lists.
Keep transactional separate. Leave receipts and OTPs on a transactional SMTP during warmup.

System-specific playbooks, tricks, and solutions

ESP to GoHighLevel

System	Keep on source	Exports to grab	Mapping in GoHighLevel	Deliverability notes	Warmup path	Common pitfalls	Priority actions
Amazon SES → GoHighLevel	Transactional only	Account-level suppression, verified identities, sending stats	Suppressions → Email DND, identities → DNS, events → Webhooks	Align Mail From + branded tracking domain, DMARC at p=none week 1	Send via SES SMTP inside GHL for week 1, cohort ramp	No branded click domain, SES bounces not synced	Import suppressions first, set GHL links.yourbrand.com
Postmark → GoHighLevel	Transactional Stream	Broadcast subscribers, templates, suppressions both Streams	Suppressions → Email DND, templates → Email Templates	Separate domains for transactional vs marketing	Optional: Postmark SMTP in GHL week 1	Mixing Streams, missing Broadcast suppressions	Map both Streams, webhook bounces to DND
SendGrid → GoHighLevel	Transactional if needed	Global suppressions, Groups, bounces, blocks, spam, templates	Suppressions → DND, Groups → tags/fields, templates → Templates	Clean sender identity, avoid shared pool spikes	Cohorts by 30/60/90 day engagement	Legacy categories do not translate	Import all suppression types, set branded link
Klaviyo → GoHighLevel	None, unless heavy ecommerce triggered flows	Profiles, Lists, Segments, Metrics (CSV), Suppression	Lists → tags, Segments → Smart Lists, Events → custom fields where needed	Expect lower “open” reporting due to MPP effects	Warm by engaged segments first	Dynamic segments not mirrored 1:1	Rebuild core flows, map buyer tags for RPM
Mailgun → GoHighLevel	Transactional if used	Mailing lists, variables, suppressions, templates	Lists → tags, variables → custom fields, suppressions → DND	Align authenticated domain with From	Optional: Mailgun SMTP in GHL week 1	Missing complaints import	Import all suppression types, test samples
Mailjet → GoHighLevel	Transactional if used	Contacts with properties, Segments, Suppressions, Templates	Properties → custom fields, Segments → Smart Lists, Suppressions → DND	Branded tracking on same root as From	Cohort ramp, hold cold for re-permission	MJML variables not mapped	Rebuild templates, seed test across ISPs

CRM, funnels, courses to GoHighLevel

System	What stays for week 1	Key exports	Mapping in GoHighLevel	Risk area	Mitigation	Priority actions
Keap, Infusionsoft	Billing profiles, subscriptions	Contacts, tags, custom fields, opt-outs, pipeline	Tags → tags, fields → fields, pipeline → pipeline/stages	Tag sprawl, nested goals	Consolidate to one nurture + branches	Normalize tag taxonomy, import opt-outs to DND
Kartra	Helpdesk, memberships, receipts	Contacts, tags, sequences, unsubscribe, pages	Sequences → Workflows, pages → Funnels, offers → Payments	One-click upsell logic	Rebuild bumps/upsells in Funnels	Redirect pages, bulk-set membership access
Systeme.io	Checkout	Contacts, tags, unsubscribes, funnels	Funnels → Funnels, emails → Workflows, offers → Payments	Many small funnels	Consolidate, match URLs, 301	Universal opt-in form, dynamic TY pages
ClickFunnels	Checkout (temporary)	Contacts, pages, paths	Pages → Funnels, CF tags → tags	URL mismatches, fbclid/gclid loss	Match slugs, hidden UTM fields	Replace forms first, then pages
ActiveCampaign (CRM)	None	Contacts, tags, automations, lists, deals	Automations → Workflows, deals → pipeline/stages	Goal logic parity	Use Event happened + Go To	Import all unsubs to DND, rebuild only revenue flows
Kajabi (courses/checkout)	Offers and renewals (short overlap)	Contacts, offers, purchases, emails	Courses → Memberships, offers → Payments	Renewal date sync	One-time import, then Workflow for renewals	Single login email, access migration email

Amazon SES to GoHighLevel migration, keep transactional on SES, move marketing and automation to GoHighLevel without losing suppression or inboxing.
Postmark to GoHighLevel migration, maintain Transactional Stream, rebuild Broadcast in GoHighLevel, import both Streams’ suppressions.
SendGrid to GoHighLevel migration, import Global and Group suppressions, rebuild campaigns in Workflows, set branded tracking.
Klaviyo to GoHighLevel migration, convert Lists to tags, Segments to Smart Lists, rebuild browse/abandon flows with purchase triggers.
Keap to GoHighLevel migration, collapse tag sprawl, re-implement campaigns as fewer, smarter Workflows.
Kartra to GoHighLevel migration, move pages, sequences, and offers in stages, swap membership access last.
Systeme.io to GoHighLevel migration, clone funnels, consolidate sequences, migrate courses to Memberships.

Fast decision tree, pick your path

Mostly transactional now, choose SES or Postmark bridging, marketing in GoHighLevel, transactional stays put.
Ecommerce-heavy on Klaviyo, map buyer tags, RPM reporting, rebuild abandon flows first.
Tag jungle on Keap/ActiveCampaign, standardize tags, build one master nurture, then promos from a single Workflow.
Funnel first on Kartra/Systeme, move pages and forms, then email, then checkout, then courses.

CTAs to drop in-post

Want us to run a 7-day migration sprint, book a call.
Prefer a template, grab the “ESP to GoHighLevel” Workflow pack.
Need a deliverability check, run the 30-point DNS and warmup audit.

Amazon SES to GoHighLevel

Why teams get stuck

Hard to export the account-level suppression list
No visual journeys, only app driven sends
Mail From and tracking domains misaligned, DMARC fail, click tracking flagged

Fixes and tricks

Keep transactional on SES, route marketing through GoHighLevel
Use the SES SMTP in GoHighLevel for week one to preserve reputation, then switch to native sending
Align domains, verified identity equals From domain, custom Mail From set, branded tracking domain set in GoHighLevel

Steps

DNS pattern, SPF include amazonses.com on your Mail From domain, DKIM CNAMEs from SES, DMARC policy at p=none for week one, raise later.
Suppression import, pull account-level suppression via SES console or API, import as DND in GoHighLevel, spot check.
Event bridge, set SES notifications to SNS, send to a webhook endpoint or an AWS Lambda that calls a GoHighLevel Webhook step to flip DND on bounces and complaints.
Configuration Sets, if you use pools, keep transactional IP pool on SES, start marketing from GoHighLevel on a separate domain, for example news.yourbrand.com.
Link alignment, set the GoHighLevel branded tracking domain on the same root as your From, for example links.yourbrand.com, reduce reputation split.

Quick wins

Import all hard bounces to DND before the first send
Warm cohorts while SES still delivers transactional, no mixed signals

Postmark to GoHighLevel

Why teams get stuck

Transactional is perfect, marketing is minimal, fear of mixing streams
Message Streams split, Transactional and Broadcast, different suppression semantics

Fixes and tricks

Leave Transactional Stream on Postmark, run Broadcast equivalent in GoHighLevel
Use Postmark webhooks to update GoHighLevel DND on bounces and complaints

Steps

Export Broadcast Stream subscribers, custom fields, templates.
Export Suppressions from both Transactional and Broadcast Streams, import to GoHighLevel DND.
Keep Inbound processing on Postmark if your app needs it, no change to app logic.
Rebuild Broadcast templates in GoHighLevel, use custom values for variables.
Warm on GoHighLevel. If needed, send week one through Postmark SMTP inside GoHighLevel, then switch.

Quick wins

Separate domains, transactional mail.yourbrand.com, marketing news.yourbrand.com
Use Postmark’s precise bounce codes to refine DND, do not retry hard bounces

Keap, Infusionsoft to GoHighLevel

Why teams get stuck

Deep tag sprawl, nested campaigns with legacy goals
Billing profiles and subscriptions live in Keap

Fixes and tricks

Snapshot the campaign logic visually, then rebuild fewer, smarter Workflows
Keep subscriptions and receipts in Keap for one cycle, move only marketing and CRM first

Steps

Export contacts with all tags and custom fields. Normalize tag taxonomy mid-import, for example tag_source, tag_product, tag_stage.
Export opt-out list and hard bounces, import to GoHighLevel DND.
Screenshot key Campaign Builder flows. Rebuild as Workflows with Event happened checks and Go To.
Map pipeline stages one to one, clean probabilities later.
If billing stays in Keap for now, post successful charge events to GoHighLevel via webhook to trigger onboarding and retention flows.

Quick wins

Replace ten near-duplicate nurture sequences with one master nurture plus branches
Build a reactivation Workflow by tag, last_engaged_at, last_order_at

Kartra to GoHighLevel

Why teams get stuck

Sequences, Memberships, Helpdesk, Calendar, Products, all tied together
One-click upsells and bumps tied to Kartra checkout logic

Fixes and tricks

Move pages and forms first, then email, then offers, then members
Keep receipts and memberships on Kartra for one cycle, switch checkout once GoHighLevel order forms and Payments are tested

Steps

Export contacts, communications lists, tags, sequences, unsubscribe list. Map to tags, Smart Lists, DND.
Rebuild top pages in Funnels, set 301 redirects.
Recreate core sequences as Workflows, use Purchase received and Link clicked triggers to emulate step logic.
Rebuild offers in Payments, use Stripe, set order bumps and upsell pages in Funnels.
Migrate members last, move gated content to GoHighLevel Memberships, bulk-set access with a Workflow.

Quick wins

Keep Kartra for helpdesk during week one. Push tickets to GoHighLevel via email to Conversations, replace later.
Tag former Kartra buyers, trigger a “Welcome to your new portal” onboarding with fresh logins

Systeme.io to GoHighLevel

Why teams get stuck

Courses and funnels are tightly coupled
Email automations are simple, but forms and offers are many

Fixes and tricks

Export contacts and tags, rebuild funnels and courses in GoHighLevel, then swap forms
Keep current checkout for a few days, then switch order forms once Payments test clean

Steps

Export contacts with tags, segments, and unsubscribe list, map to tags and DND.
Rebuild funnels in GoHighLevel Funnels, mirror URLs, set redirects.
Recreate email sequences as Workflows, consolidate repeated logic.
Rebuild products in Payments, coupons as custom values, order bumps in Funnels.
Move courses to GoHighLevel Memberships, bulk access via Workflow on tag or purchase.

Quick wins

Replace ten small lead magnets with one universal form and dynamic thank-you pages
Use a Product-Qualified-Lead tag to trigger sales callbacks and SMS follow-ups

DNS and tracking alignment checklist

From domain equals the verified domain in GoHighLevel
SPF includes your sending source, for example include:amazonses.com or your SMTP host
DKIM CNAMEs present and passing
DMARC at p=none for week one, raise to quarantine or reject after stable sends
Branded click tracking domain set in GoHighLevel, same root as From, for example links.yourbrand.com

Deliverability, the three rules that actually matter

Send to people who engaged recently, not your entire database
Import every suppression type as DND before sending anything
Keep transactional apart from marketing until reputation settles

QA, acceptance, rollback

Smart List counts match old segments within 5 percent
Templates render variables with live samples
Preference form sets fields and DND correctly
Attribution events fire on opt-in, purchase, and booking

Acceptance

First two sends, inbox placement on engaged cohorts at or above baseline
Complaint rate under 0.1 percent, hard bounces under 2 percent

Rollback

If inboxing dips, route initial sends through your old ESP as custom SMTP in GoHighLevel, reduce volume, limit to last 30-day clickers, fix root cause, then expand

FAQ

Will I lose segments
No. Lists become tags. Segments become Smart Lists with date windows that match your old logic.

Can I keep sending through my old ESP during migration
Yes. Connect it as custom SMTP in GoHighLevel, warm cohorts, then switch to native sending.

Do I need to re-confirm subscribers
No, if suppression and status are imported correctly. Only new opt-ins go through double opt-in.

How long until I can turn off old tools
Usually 2 to 4 weeks, once reporting, attribution, and deliverability are stable.

What about transactional email
Keep it on your transactional SMTP for now, receipts and OTPs, run marketing from GoHighLevel.

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