How to Build Formatted HTML Emails for GoHighLevel
By Marnix Geerkens. Published 2020-04-30. Updated 2026-06-02.
When GoHighLevel's built-in email editor is too basic for the design you need, you can build a fully formatted HTML email in a third-party drag and drop tool, export the HTML file, and paste the raw code into GoHighLevel's source code field. The result is a polished, styled email without writing any HTML manually.
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Summary. GoHighLevel's native email editor is functional but limited in design flexibility. A common workaround is to use a dedicated email design tool such as Stripo to create a visually rich layout, export the HTML, and import that HTML into GoHighLevel using the source code editor. This tutorial covers the export-and-import workflow, including how to open the exported HTML file as raw code on a Mac, how to paste it into GoHighLevel, and how to swap in your own images and update links afterward.
What you will learn
- How to design an email in a third-party tool and export it as HTML
- How to open an HTML file as raw code on a Mac using TextEdit
- How to paste HTML into GoHighLevel's source code editor
- How to replace placeholder images and update links after importing
Steps
Design your email in a third-party builder
Use a tool that exports clean HTML, such as Stripo (which has a free tier). Build your layout using the drag and drop interface, add your sections, images, and text blocks, then click Export and choose HTML.
Open the HTML file as raw code
On a Mac, open TextEdit preferences and enable the option to display HTML files as HTML code rather than formatted text. Then right-click the downloaded HTML file and open it with TextEdit. You will see the raw HTML code rather than a rendered preview.
Copy the full HTML
Press Command-A to select all the HTML code in TextEdit, then Command-C to copy it.
Paste into GoHighLevel's email source editor
In GoHighLevel, open a campaign or email template and click the Source Code button in the editor toolbar. Paste the copied HTML and click OK. The editor will render the formatted email.
Replace placeholder images and update links
Click any placeholder image in the rendered email and use the image upload button to replace it with your actual image file. Update any text links or button URLs to point to the correct destinations for your campaign.
Tips
- The TextEdit HTML display setting is a global preference. Once set, it applies to all HTML files you open, so you only need to change it once.
- On Windows, open the exported HTML file in Notepad or VS Code to access the raw code.
Related tutorials
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Frequently asked questions
Does this approach work with any third-party email builder?
Any tool that exports a self-contained HTML file will work. Stripo and Beefree are common choices.
Will my images break after pasting the HTML?
Images hosted at external URLs will load fine. Placeholder images need to be swapped out using GoHighLevel's image uploader.
Is there a simpler option now that GoHighLevel has its own drag and drop builder?
Yes, GoHighLevel now has a full drag and drop builder natively. This HTML import method is still useful when you need a design that the native builder cannot produce.
Can I edit the imported HTML later inside GoHighLevel?
You can make small text and link edits in the visual editor after importing. For major layout changes, go back to the source code view or re-export from your design tool.