{"slug":"gmail-smtp-shared-agency-email","title":"Gmail SMTP Setup for Shared Agency Email in GHL","tags":["email","smtp","gmail","ghl","infrastructure"],"agent_summary":"How to set up a shared Gmail SMTP email (hello@domain) for agency use in GoHighLevel, bypassing GHL's one-Google-account limitation with aliases.","trigger_phrases":["gmail smtp go high level","shared agency email ghl","ghl email setup smtp","app password gmail ghl","one google account ghl limitation","agency email configuration"],"runnable":true,"markdown":"## Gmail SMTP for Shared Agency Email in GHL\n\n### The Problem\nGoHighLevel only allows ONE Google account natively per location. With multiple team members, you need a workaround.\n\n### The Solution\nUse a shared email (e.g., hello@ironautomations.com) via Gmail SMTP, not GHL's native email.\n\n### Setup Steps\n1. **Create shared Gmail account** (e.g., hello@yourdomain.com)\n2. **Enable 2FA** on the Google account\n3. **Generate App Password:**\n   - Go to Google Account → Security → App Passwords\n   - Create a new app password\n   - Copy the 16-character password\n4. **Configure in GHL:**\n   - Go to Settings → Email Services → SMTP\n   - SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com\n   - Port: 587 (TLS) or 465 (SSL)\n   - Username: hello@yourdomain.com\n   - Password: [App Password from step 3]\n5. **Set From Name:** Use brand name (e.g., \"Iron Automations\") or team member name depending on workflow\n6. **Use aliases** for different team members within the same account\n\n### Why This Over GHL Native\n- Bypasses one-Google-account limitation\n- Makes the email \"evergreen\" — not tied to one person\n- Team members can use themselves as aliases per workflow\n- Account uses brand logo, not personal photo\n- Dedicated sending domain for better deliverability\n\n### Common Issues\n- **App passwords disappear:** If you switch accounts or change security settings, app passwords may be deleted. Regenerate them.\n- **From email showing wrong address:** Check workflow email action — the \"from email\" field may be pulling from calendar configuration or staff settings rather than SMTP config\n- **Variables not resolving in test emails:** Custom variables like `{{appointment.user.first_name}}` may not populate in test mode — only resolve with live contacts\n\n### Dedicated Sending Domain\nSet up a dedicated sending domain for your agency email to improve deliverability. This is separate from the SMTP configuration and handled in GHL email settings.\n","html":"<h2>Gmail SMTP for Shared Agency Email in GHL</h2>\n<h3>The Problem</h3>\n<p>GoHighLevel only allows ONE Google account natively per location. With multiple team members, you need a workaround.</p>\n<h3>The Solution</h3>\n<p>Use a shared email (e.g., hello@ironautomations.com) via Gmail SMTP, not GHL's native email.</p>\n<h3>Setup Steps</h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Create shared Gmail account</strong> (e.g., hello@yourdomain.com)</li>\n<li><strong>Enable 2FA</strong> on the Google account</li>\n<li><strong>Generate App Password:</strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Go to Google Account → Security → App Passwords</li>\n<li>Create a new app password</li>\n<li>Copy the 16-character password</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li><strong>Configure in GHL:</strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Go to Settings → Email Services → SMTP</li>\n<li>SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com</li>\n<li>Port: 587 (TLS) or 465 (SSL)</li>\n<li>Username: hello@yourdomain.com</li>\n<li>Password: [App Password from step 3]</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li><strong>Set From Name:</strong> Use brand name (e.g., \"Iron Automations\") or team member name depending on workflow</li>\n<li><strong>Use aliases</strong> for different team members within the same account</li>\n</ol>\n<h3>Why This Over GHL Native</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Bypasses one-Google-account limitation</li>\n<li>Makes the email \"evergreen\" — not tied to one person</li>\n<li>Team members can use themselves as aliases per workflow</li>\n<li>Account uses brand logo, not personal photo</li>\n<li>Dedicated sending domain for better deliverability</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Common Issues</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>App passwords disappear:</strong> If you switch accounts or change security settings, app passwords may be deleted. Regenerate them.</li>\n<li><strong>From email showing wrong address:</strong> Check workflow email action — the \"from email\" field may be pulling from calendar configuration or staff settings rather than SMTP config</li>\n<li><strong>Variables not resolving in test emails:</strong> Custom variables like <code>{{appointment.user.first_name}}</code> may not populate in test mode — only resolve with live contacts</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Dedicated Sending Domain</h3>\n<p>Set up a dedicated sending domain for your agency email to improve deliverability. This is separate from the SMTP configuration and handled in GHL email settings.</p>\n"}