# GoHighLevel UK Sub-Account Setup Checklist

A field-tested, step-by-step checklist for setting up a GoHighLevel sub-account for UK small businesses. Covers everything from DNS records to compliance — in the order you should do it.

## Phase 1: Account Basics (15 min)

- [ ] Receive sub-account login credentials from your reseller agency
- [ ] Log in and change your password immediately
- [ ] Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) via Authenticator app
- [ ] Add your profile photo and display name
- [ ] Set your timezone to `Europe/London`
- [ ] Set your locale to `en-GB` (dates, currency, number formats)
- [ ] Add at least one team member (co-owner or manager)
- [ ] Verify notification preferences (email, SMS, in-app)

## Phase 2: Custom Domain & Branding (30 min)

- [ ] Purchase or confirm your custom domain (e.g., `yourbusiness.co.uk`)
- [ ] **If using 123 Reg:** Enable DNSSEC in the 123 Reg control panel — it blocks their DNS proxy from rewriting your records
- [ ] Point your domain's nameservers to a reliable DNS provider:
  - ✅ Cloudflare (recommended — free, fast, UK edge)
  - ✅ Namecheap FreeDNS (good alternative)
  - ❌ 123 Reg default DNS (causes SPF/DKIM problems — avoid)
- [ ] In GHL: Settings → Business Profile → set business name, address, phone (UK format)
- [ ] Upload logo (minimum 512×512, PNG with transparent background)
- [ ] Set your business hours (open/close times for each day)
- [ ] Configure your calendar availability (buffer time between appointments)

## Phase 3: Email & Domain Authentication (20 min)

- [ ] **MX Records** — Add these to your DNS for inbound email routing:
  - Priority 10: `mx.zohomail.com`
  - Priority 20: `mx2.zohomail.com`
- [ ] **SPF Record** — Add a TXT record for `@`:
  - `v=spf1 include:zoho.com ~all`
  - If using Mailgun: `v=spf1 include:mailgun.org include:zoho.com ~all`
  - Keep under 10 DNS lookups total
- [ ] **DKIM Record** — Generate a DKIM key in Zoho's control panel, add it as a TXT record:
  - Host: `zmail._domainkey`
  - Value: Zoho-provided DKIM TXT string
  - Verify in Zoho: "Verified" status ✅
- [ ] **DMARC Record** — Add a TXT record for `_dmarc`:
  - Start with: `v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.co.uk`
  - After 2-4 weeks, upgrade to `p=quarantine`
- [ ] Send a test email from GHL to a Gmail address → check it lands in Primary inbox
- [ ] Send a test email to a Hotmail/Outlook address → check it doesn't land in Junk

## Phase 4: LC Phone / Twilio Setup (20 min)

- [ ] Purchase an LC Phone UK number (local rate or national)
  - Supported area codes: 020 (London), 0121 (Birmingham), 0161 (Manchester), 0113 (Leeds), 0151 (Liverpool), 0117 (Bristol), 0114 (Sheffield)
- [ ] **If using your own Twilio account:** Complete A2P 10DLC brand registration
  - Register your brand with The Campaign Registry (TCR)
  - Get your brand score (needs 75+ for high throughput)
  - Create a UK A2P campaign
  - Select vetting type: **Standard** (for most UK businesses)
  - Wait for TCR approval (24–72 hours)
- [ ] Configure SMS sending in GHL: Settings → LC Phone → SMS
- [ ] Set your SMS sender ID (11 characters max, no spaces)
- [ ] Test SMS: send a text from GHL to your personal mobile
- [ ] Set up SMS keywords (e.g., "BOOK" → trigger booking link)
- [ ] Configure auto-reply for missed calls

## Phase 5: Pipeline & Funnel Setup (40 min)

- [ ] Create your first pipeline (e.g., "Sales" or "Enquiries")
  - Stage 1: New Lead
  - Stage 2: Contacted
  - Stage 3: Appointment Booked
  - Stage 4: Converted
  - Stage 5: Lost
- [ ] Customise pipeline stage colours (match your brand)
- [ ] Set up lead scoring rules (website visit = +5, form submission = +10)
- [ ] Create your first form/landing page in Funnels
  - Use a UK-friendly design template
  - Add GDPR consent checkbox (mandatory for UK leads)
  - Set confirmation message: "Thank you — we'll be in touch within 24 hours"
- [ ] Configure the thank-you page (redirect or on-page message)
- [ ] Set up pipeline automation — when form submitted → move to "New Lead"

## Phase 6: Compliance & Legal (20 min)

- [ ] **Privacy notice** — publish on your website covering:
  - What data you collect
  - How you process it
  - How long you store it
  - Third-party data processors (GHL / Twilio / Mailgun)
  - User rights (access, rectification, erasure)
- [ ] **Cookie consent** — add a cookie banner if your site uses tracking
- [ ] **SMS opt-in consent** — ensure your signup forms have explicit opt-in checkboxes
- [ ] **Email unsubscribe link** — verify GHL automatically includes one in all bulk emails
- [ ] **Data retention policy** — set automated lead deletion after 12 months (GHL: Settings → Data Policy)
- [ ] **GDPR data export test** — export a single lead's data to verify it's complete

## Phase 7: Workflows & Automation (30 min)

- [ ] Create a "New Lead Follow-Up" workflow:
  - Trigger: Form submitted
  - Action 1: Send email (welcome + next steps)
  - Action 2: Send SMS (confirmation + calendar link)
  - Action 3: Wait 24 hours → send follow-up email
  - Action 4: Wait 48 hours → if no reply, send reminder SMS
- [ ] Create an "Appointment Reminder" workflow:
  - Trigger: Appointment created
  - Action 1: Send SMS 24 hours before
  - Action 2: Send SMS 2 hours before (with cancellation link)
- [ ] Create a "Birthday / Anniversary" workflow (optional)
- [ ] Set up your first trigger link (SMS keyword or QR code)

## Phase 8: Testing & Go-Live (20 min)

- [ ] Send a full test lead through your funnel — check all emails arrive
- [ ] Test the SMS keyword response end-to-end
- [ ] Book a test appointment through the calendar link
- [ ] Verify the "Appointment Reminder" SMS arrives at the right time
- [ ] Check the unsubscribe link works on your test email
- [ ] Export a test lead's data to verify GDPR compliance
- [ ] Run through the pipeline stages with a test lead
- [ ] **Go live** — turn off test mode, announce to your team

## Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet

| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---------|-------------|-----|
| Emails landing in spam | Missing or misconfigured DKIM | Re-verify DKIM in Zoho → DNS |
| SMS not sending | LC Phone not provisioned or A2P pending | Check LC Phone dashboard → wait for TCR approval |
| Calendar link 404s | Calendar not synced with GHL | Reconnect calendar integration |
| Form submissions lost | Workflow not triggered | Check workflow trigger conditions |
| Slow page loading | Heavy funnel template | Reduce image sizes, remove unused elements |
| DNS changes not propagating | TTL too high | Lower TTL to 300 (5 min) during setup, increase after |

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**Downloaded from [GHL Guide](https://ghlguide.peakscalelabs.co.uk/snapshots/)**  
Created 23 Sep 2026 · Last updated 23 Sep 2026  
Licence: Free to share, print, and modify for your own business use.