Mailchimp to HighLevel Migration a Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to supercharge your marketing automation and CRM capabilities? Many businesses are making the smart move from Mailchimp to GoHighLevel to leverage its all-in-one platform features, including integrated CRM, advanced workflows, and better cost efficiency. In this comprehensive guide by VA Matters, we’ll walk you through a detailed optimized process for a smooth and successful migration from Mailchimp to GoHighLevel.

Why Switch from Mailchimp to GoHighLevel?

Mailchimp is a popular email marketing tool, but as businesses grow, they often need more robust automation and CRM functionalities. GoHighLevel offers a unified platform for email marketing, SMS, CRM, landing pages, funnels, and more. Migrating from Mailchimp to GoHighLevel means you can centralize your marketing, automate more efficiently, and ultimately improve your ROI.

Preparation for Migration

Step 1: Review Your Current Mailchimp Setup

Identify Key Assets: List all audiences, email campaigns, automation workflows, forms, and landing pages you plan to migrate.
Document Design and Content: Take screenshots or detailed notes of email designs, content, and form settings so you can accurately replicate them in HighLevel.
Evaluate Data Volume: Check the number of contacts and campaigns to understand the scope of migration.

Step 2: Define Your Migration Objectives

Set Clear Goals: Why are you moving? Common reasons include improved automation, integrated CRM, or lower costs.
Prioritize Critical Features: Decide which elements need to be fully functional first to minimize business disruption.

Step 3: Prepare Backups

Export Data from Mailchimp: Export contact lists, email campaigns, and automation workflows.
Secure Backup: Store your data safely to ensure nothing is lost during migration.

Migrate Contacts, Campaigns, and Automations

Step 1: Export from Mailchimp

Export Contacts: Navigate to Audience > All contacts and export them as CSV files.
Export Email Campaigns: Save reusable content or HTML templates.
Document Automations: Note the workflows, triggers, and segments in detail.

Step 2: Import into GoHighLevel

Import Contacts: Go to Contacts > Import Contacts in HighLevel and upload CSV files. Map custom fields correctly.
Rebuild Automations: Use Automations > Workflows to recreate your Mailchimp workflows with similar triggers and actions.

Migrate Forms and Landing Pages

Recreate Forms

Use Sites > Forms in HighLevel to rebuild your Mailchimp forms.
Ensure fields, validation, and submission actions match the originals.
Embed the new forms on your website or landing pages.

Recreate Landing Pages

Navigate to Sites > Funnels to rebuild your landing pages.
Use existing templates or start from scratch to match your previous design.
Connect custom domains and publish.

Migrate Email Campaigns and Automations

Recreate Email Campaigns

Go to Marketing > Emails > Templates in HighLevel.
Copy text, images, and links from Mailchimp emails.
Ensure correct layout and design, and set up unsubscribe links properly.

Recreate Automations

Use Automations > Workflows to recreate your email automation sequences.
Consider using HighLevel’s pre-built workflow recipes to save time.

Setup Integrations and Analytics

Integrations

Reconnect tools such as Zapier and social media integrations under Settings > Integrations.
Configure payment processing if applicable (Settings > Payments).

Analytics

Enable HighLevel’s built-in analytics to track campaign performance.
Add third-party tracking codes (e.g., Google Analytics) under Settings > Tracking.

Final Checks and Team Training

Data Validation

Verify that all contacts, emails, and workflows have migrated correctly.
Test email sends to confirm proper functionality and compliance.

Train Your Team

Provide training sessions on HighLevel’s email builder, workflows, and CRM.
Encourage use of HighLevel’s support resources for continuous learning.

Monitor and Optimize

Regularly review campaign performance and workflow efficiency.
Stay updated on new HighLevel features for continuous improvement.

Mailchimp vs. HighLevel Key Differences for Migration

Feature	Mailchimp	GoHighLevel
Primary Focus	Email marketing	All-in-one marketing & CRM platform
CRM Capabilities	Limited (basic audience segmentation)	Full CRM with pipelines, tasks, tagging
Automation	Basic automation workflows	Advanced workflows with multi-step logic
Landing Pages & Funnels	Basic landing pages	Full funnel builder with advanced features
SMS & Calling	Not included	Built-in SMS, calling, and voicemail drops
Forms & Surveys	Basic forms	Custom forms with advanced triggers
Integrations	Many integrations, often requires third-party tools	Native integrations plus Zapier support
Pricing	Tiered by audience size, add-ons for automation	Flat-rate pricing with unlimited contacts
White-Labeling	Not available	Available for agencies
Client Management	No dedicated client portal	Built-in client accounts & sub-accounts
Support & Resources	Extensive but standard	Dedicated agency support & resources

Decommission Mailchimp

Transition Period

Run Mailchimp and HighLevel in parallel temporarily to ensure stability.
Gradually shift your marketing fully to HighLevel.

Cancel Mailchimp Subscription

Back up final data.
Follow Mailchimp’s official cancellation steps.

Post-Migration Review

Evaluate migration success, document lessons learned.
Continuously monitor HighLevel setup to catch and resolve any issues.

Ready to Move? VA Matters Can Help!

Migrating from Mailchimp to GoHighLevel doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right preparation and expert support from VA Matters, you can make the transition smooth, efficient, and stress-free. Contact us today to start your journey toward a more powerful and integrated marketing platform!