GoHighLevel for Beginners – How to Get Started in 7 Easy Steps
If you’ve just signed up for GoHighLevel, you’re probably excited — and maybe a little overwhelmed. The platform promises to replace multiple tools and streamline your entire business, but the first time you log in, it can feel like there’s a lot to take in.
The good news? Getting started doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right steps, you can set up your GoHighLevel account, start capturing leads, and automate key tasks — all in your first week.
Here’s a 7-step beginner’s guide to help you hit the ground running.
Step 1: Sign Up & Choose the Right Plan
Before you dive in, make sure you’ve selected the GoHighLevel plan that fits your needs.
- Starter Plan – Great for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Agency Plan – Perfect for marketing agencies managing multiple clients.
- Agency Pro (SaaS Mode) – Best for agencies wanting to white-label and resell the platform.
If you’re unsure, start small — you can always upgrade later as your business grows.
Step 2: Set Up Your Account & Business Profile
Once you’re in, your first stop is the Settings section. Here’s what to do:
- Add your business name, logo, and contact details.
- Set your time zone and currency.
- Connect your email and phone number for client communication.
This ensures that every email, text, or automation you send reflects your brand from day one.
Step 3: Import or Add Contacts to Your CRM
Your CRM is the heart of GoHighLevel, so fill it with your leads and customers right away.
You can:
- Manually add contacts if you have only a few.
- Import a CSV file from your old CRM or spreadsheet.
- Use forms or landing pages to capture leads directly into the system.
Pro Tip: Tag your contacts as you import them. This will make it much easier to segment and target them later.
Step 4: Create Your First Sales Funnel or Website
GoHighLevel’s drag-and-drop builder makes it simple to create a funnel or a full website.
To build your first funnel:
- Go to the Funnels & Websites section.
- Choose a template or start from scratch.
- Customize the text, images, and calls-to-action.
- Add forms or payment integrations if needed.
Even a single-page lead capture funnel can start generating results within days.
Step 5: Set Up Automations for Follow-Ups
This is where GoHighLevel shines — automation.
With the Workflows feature, you can:
- Send a thank-you email when someone submits a form.
- Text new leads instantly to increase response rates.
- Assign leads to team members automatically.
Think about the repetitive tasks in your business and set them to run in the background, so you can focus on high-value work.
Step 6: Connect Your Communication Channels
GoHighLevel lets you manage email, SMS, Facebook Messenger, and Google Business messages in one place.
Here’s what to connect:
- Your email provider (SMTP or integrations like Mailgun).
- Twilio for SMS and voice calls.
- Your Facebook page for Messenger communication.
- Google Business Profile to reply to messages directly.
Once connected, you can have two-way conversations with leads from inside the platform.
Step 7: Monitor, Optimize, and Scale
After your setup, it’s time to start tracking performance:
- Check your pipeline to see how leads are progressing.
- Review automation reports to make sure everything’s running smoothly.
- Test your funnels and tweak them for higher conversions.
Over time, you can add more advanced features like membership sites, reputation management, and SaaS mode for scaling your business.
Final Thoughts
Starting with GoHighLevel can feel like a big leap, but if you follow these 7 steps, you’ll have the foundation to run your business from one dashboard.
The key is to start simple — capture leads, follow up automatically, and keep everything organized in the CRM. Once that’s in place, you can explore the platform’s full potential and truly replace multiple tools.
GoHighLevel isn’t just another app — it’s the central hub for your business growth.