Let’s talk about something a lot of agency owners overlook…
📲 SMS.
Not just using it — but monetizing it.
If you’re running HighLevel on the SaaS Pro plan and not charging for SMS usage, you’re leaving money on the table. Worse, you’re probably paying for your clients’ messages yourself.
No bueno. 😬
So let’s fix that. Here’s how to turn SMS into a recurring revenue machine inside HighLevel using credit-based billing (and how I set it up to run on autopilot).
The Big Idea: Prepaid Credits = Predictable Profit
If you’re on the $497/month SaaS Pro plan, you get access to a killer feature: usage-based billing. That means you can:
- Assign SMS credits to each client
- Set caps so they don’t burn through your Twilio balance
- Auto-bill them when they go over
✨ Welcome to profit margin land. ✨
Let’s say HighLevel charges you $0.01 per text… why not resell it for $0.02 or $0.03? You’re not just covering costs, you’re creating an actual revenue stream from what used to be overhead.
How to Set It Up (In 3 Steps)
Here’s the play:
1. ✅ Upgrade to SaaS Pro
This whole system only works on the $497 plan. No shortcuts here, but it pays for itself fast.
2. 💳 Set Up Usage-Based Billing
Inside your SaaS Config, set how many credits a client gets per month. Example: 1,000 texts = $10 worth of credit.
Make sure you:
- Show usage caps clearly
- Auto-charge overages
- Customize the cost per unit (markup time, baby!)
3. 🔁 Automate It All
Once the guardrails are in place, use workflows to:
- Alert clients when they hit 80% of usage
- Send invoices or upgrade prompts
- Trigger internal Slack alerts if someone burns through credits unusually fast (yes, that happens)
This is not just helpful for managing costs. It creates a predictable, productized offer that scales.
Pro Tip: Bundle It with Value
Don’t just say “we charge for SMS.” That’s boring.
Say: “We include up to 1,000 texts monthly in our Growth Plan. After that, it’s just $0.03 per message. This keeps your lead follow-ups fast, automated, and affordable.”
Boom. That’s way easier to sell. Especially when paired with things like:
- AI-powered lead nurtures
- Missed call text backs
- SMS booking confirmations
- Campaign reactivations
HighLevel gives you the tools, this gives you the model to profit from them.
Why This Works (and Keeps Working)
Clients don’t want to manage tech.
They want:
- ✅ Results
- ✅ Simplicity
- ✅ Predictable pricing
Credit-based billing checks all three boxes. And once you lock it in, you don’t have to touch it again. Just collect the payments, improve delivery, and keep stacking value.
TL;DR — Here’s the Play
If you skimmed (no judgment), here’s your cheat sheet:
🛠 Upgrade to the $497 SaaS Pro plan
💰 Use usage-based billing to assign SMS credits
📈 Mark up 2-3x for profit
🧠 Automate billing alerts + overage charges
📦 Bundle it with lead gen or automation value
Your clients get results. You get recurring revenue. Everyone wins.
Want the Fast Track?
You’ll get everything you need to sell, scale, and support your HighLevel SaaS offer without drowning in tech headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want the Fast Track?
You’ll get everything you need to sell, scale, and support your HighLevel SaaS offer without drowning in tech headaches.
What should I know about the Big Idea: Prepaid Credits = Predictable Profit?
If you’re on the $497/month SaaS Pro plan, you get access to a killer feature: usage-based billing. That means you can: Assign SMS credits to each client Set caps so they don’t burn through your Twilio balance Auto-bill them when they go over ✨ Welcome to profit margin land. ✨ Let’s say HighLevel charges you $0.01 per text… why not resell it for $0.02 or $0.03? You’re not just covering costs, you’re creating an actual revenue stream from what used to be overhead.
What should I know about ✅ Upgrade to SaaS Pro?
This whole system only works on the $497 plan. No shortcuts here, but it pays for itself fast.
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