Skip to content
Email

Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider

Using SendGrid as the SMTP Provider in GHL Customer Care

3 min read772 words11 explained imagesUpdated Wed, 1 Jul at 6:05 AM
View as markdownOpen in ClaudeOpen in ChatGPT
Each image has a one line explanation. Switch to full detail for the step it belongs to, the fields and buttons involved, examples and the whole procedure.
On this page
  1. Sign up for SendGrid
  2. Go to Location Settings in your sub-account
  3. Get your SendGrid API key
  4. Add your API key to the platform
  5. Set up 2FA with SendGrid
  6. Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender
  7. Save again to complete the integration
  8. Troubleshooting a sender identity error
  9. Frequently Asked Questions
Email Infrastructure
Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider
Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider.
Overview

This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact configuration and settings needed for seamless, reliable email delivery through SendGrid.

Follow each step in order — from creating your SendGrid account through verifying a sender identity — to avoid the most common connection errors. For deeper troubleshooting, see the dedicated section near the end of this article.

Video Walkthrough
Video 1 Open in a new tab

1Sign up for SendGrid

If you don't already have a SendGrid account, create one at signup.sendgrid.com.

2Go to Location Settings in your sub-account

Click on Email Services → Add Service, then select SendGrid from the dropdown.

If you want to integrate SendGrid for all locations at once, you can set this up from the agency view instead:

https://clientportal.ghlcustomercare.com/settings/email_services

Go to Location Settings in your sub-account (image 1 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Go to Location Settings in your sub-account" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Go to Location Settings in your sub-account" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 1 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

3Get your SendGrid API key

In SendGrid, click Settings → API Keys → Create API Key.

Get your SendGrid API key (image 2 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Get your SendGrid API key" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Get your SendGrid API key" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 2 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon
Sub-step A
Type an API Key Name

Make sure API Key Permissions is set to Full Access, then click Create & View.

Get your SendGrid API key (image 3 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Get your SendGrid API key" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Get your SendGrid API key" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 3 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon
Sub-step B
Copy the highlighted API key

SendGrid only shows the full key once — copy it now. You'll paste it into the platform in the next step.

Get your SendGrid API key (image 4 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Get your SendGrid API key" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Get your SendGrid API key" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 4 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

4Add your API key to the platform

Username: apikey

Email: your SendGrid login email

Password: paste the copied API key here

Click Save.

Add your API key to the platform (image 5 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Add your API key to the platform" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Add your API key to the platform" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 5 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

5Set up 2FA with SendGrid

SendGrid requires two-factor authentication on your account before it will allow full API access. Complete the 2FA setup from your SendGrid account settings if you haven't already.

Set up 2FA with SendGrid (image 6 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Set up 2FA with SendGrid" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Set up 2FA with SendGrid" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 6 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

6Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender

Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender (image 7 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 7 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

Create a sender here using your SendGrid login email.

Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender (image 8 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Verify your SendGrid account as a single sender" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 8 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

7Save again to complete the integration

Go back to the platform and click Save again to finalize the integration.

Save again to complete the integration (image 9 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Save again to complete the integration" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Save again to complete the integration" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 9 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

You'll now see SendGrid listed as your active SMTP provider in the platform.

Save again to complete the integration (image 10 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Save again to complete the integration" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Save again to complete the integration" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 10 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon

8Troubleshooting a sender identity error

If you get an error when you send a test email in the Conversation, click the ⚠️ (red triangle) icon to view more details about the error.

Troubleshooting a sender identity error (image 11 of 11) What this shows Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends… What this shows Illustrates the "Troubleshooting a sender identity error" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". This screenshot appears in the "Troubleshooting a sender identity error" section of "Using SendGrid As The SMTP Provider". For context, this section explains: Email Infrastructure Integrating SendGrid as Your SMTP Provider Step-by-step setup for connecting SendGrid so your outbound email sends reliably through a verified SMTP provider. Overview This guide walks through connecting SendGrid as your SMTP provider within the platform. It covers the exact…. Image 11 of 11
Buttons and menus referenced Email Services → Add ServiceSendGridSettings → API Keys → Create API KeyAPI Key PermissionsFull AccessCreate & Viewapikeyyour SendGrid login emailpaste the copied API key hereSaveSendGrid login email⚠️ (red triangle) icon
Common Error

550 The from address does not match a verified Sender Identity. Mail cannot be sent until this error is resolved.

Visit SendGrid's Sender Identity requirements to see what's needed.

Tip

If you're using sender masking, make sure the masked sender email matches the SMTP-integrated email, or that the sender email is separately verified with SendGrid at docs.sendgrid.com/ui/sending-email/senders.

9Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a paid SendGrid plan to use this integration?
No — SendGrid's free tier includes API key access and sender verification, which is all this integration requires. Higher sending volumes may eventually require a paid plan.
Q: Why do I need to verify a sender identity in SendGrid?
SendGrid blocks outbound mail from any "from" address that hasn't been verified as a sender on your account. This prevents spoofing and protects deliverability for everyone using SendGrid.
Q: What should I enter in the password field when connecting SendGrid?
Paste your full SendGrid API key into the password field — not your actual SendGrid account password. The username should always be apikey.
Q: Can I still mask the sender email if I'm using SendGrid?
Yes, but the address you mask must either match the address integrated with SMTP or be separately verified as a sender in SendGrid — otherwise you'll hit the sender identity error.
Q: What does the "550 sender identity" error mean?
It means SendGrid rejected the message because the from address isn't a verified sender on your SendGrid account. Verify that address as a single sender to resolve it.
Q: Is two-factor authentication required for the API key to work?
Yes. SendGrid requires 2FA to be enabled on the account before full-access API keys can be created and used.
Q: What happens if I regenerate my API key later?
The old key stops working immediately. You'll need to update the password field in your email service settings with the new key to keep sending.

Was this guide helpful?

Related guides

Setting Up SMTP Providers4 min read · 3 imagesUsing Zoho as your SMTP Provider2 min readWhy Can't I use My Free Email Address As The SMTP?4 min readLimitation of using SMTP when emails are not sending3 min read · 2 images