The 10 Essential Things You Must Know Before Setting Up GoHighLevel in 2025

If you're drowning in subscriptions to Kajabi, ClickFunnels, ManyChat, Zapier, and a dozen other platforms, you're not alone. Most business owners waste over £1,000 monthly on fragmented tools that don't talk to each other.

GoHighLevel changes that. But here's the reality, this platform is a beast. Most people quit before they even start because they're overwhelmed.

This guide gives you the ten critical things you need to know to set up GoHighLevel properly from day one, so you can actually build a business that runs without you.

1. Choose the Right Plan or You'll Waste Money

GoHighLevel offers three pricing tiers. Most people choose wrong and either overpay or limit themselves unnecessarily.

Starter Plan (£97/month):

• Everything you need to run one business

• Unlimited contacts, websites, and funnels

• Up to three sub-accounts

• Perfect for solo business owners

Unlimited Plan (£297/month):

• Unlimited sub-accounts for agencies

• Pass email and SMS costs to clients

• Branded desktop app

• Best for agencies managing multiple clients

SaaS Pro Plan (£497/month):

• White label the entire platform

• Create custom subscription plans

• Charge whatever you want

• Markup email and SMS costs for profit

• Advanced API features

The decision framework:

Running just your own business? Start with the Starter plan.

Managing client accounts or running multiple businesses? Choose Unlimited.

Building a SaaS product or reselling the platform? Go with SaaS Pro.

You can always upgrade later, but starting with the 30-day free trial on the SaaS Pro plan lets you test everything before committing.

2. Set Up Your Settings First or Everything Breaks Later

Most people jump straight into building funnels. That's a mistake. Spend 30 minutes on foundational settings first.

Critical settings to configure immediately:

Business Information:

• Add your actual business name (not "Test Account")

• This appears in email signatures and notifications

• Set your correct time zone (affects all scheduling)

Domain Configuration:

• Purchase or connect your domain immediately

• Use GoDaddy? Keep it open while connecting for auto-configuration

• Set up proper DNS records before building anything

Brand Board:

• Upload your logo and favicon

• Add your color palette with hex codes

• Set your fonts

• This populates across all builders automatically

Phone Numbers (UK users):

• Create address bundle first

• Set up regulatory bundle

• Then purchase your number

• US users need A2P registration

Integrations:

• Connect Google Calendar

• Link Stripe for payments

• Integrate social media accounts

• Set up email services

Skipping these steps means rebuilding everything later when you realize your notifications say "Test Account" or your time zone is wrong.

3. Understand Agency vs Sub-Accounts Before You Build

This confuses everyone initially. Understanding it prevents massive restructuring later.

Agency Account:

• Your headquarters

• Where you manage everything

• Configure SaaS plans here

• Set up team members

Sub-Accounts:

• Individual businesses underneath

• Where actual work happens

• Each can be a separate business or client

• You toggle between them easily

Think of it like folders. Your agency is the main folder. Sub-accounts are individual project folders inside it.

Even if you're not an agency, you still have agency-level settings. Your actual business runs in a sub-account.

4. Master Custom Values or Repeat Yourself Forever

Custom values are small pieces of code that automatically populate information everywhere. They save hundreds of hours.

How they work:

Instead of typing your email address into every form, workflow, and template, you create a custom value once:

Name: from_email

Value: [email protected]

Then everywhere you need your email, you insert the custom value code. When someone sees it, they see your actual email.

Critical custom values to create:

• Business name

• Contact email

• Phone number

• Address

• Logo URL

• Brand colors

• Social media links

Create these in Settings, Custom Values. Then use them everywhere. Change once, updates everywhere.

5. Build Funnels Last, Not First

The natural instinct is to build a beautiful funnel immediately. Resist this.

The correct sequence:

First: Create products in the Products section

• Add name and description

• Set pricing (one-time or recurring)

• Configure VAT/tax if needed

• Save it

Second: Create forms for lead capture

• Build your opt-in form

• Set up notification settings

• Preview and test

Third: Connect your domain

• Verify it's working properly

• Test with a simple page

Fourth: Build your pipeline

• Create opportunity stages

• Name each stage clearly

• Set up automation triggers

Fifth: Build workflows

• Plan the automation sequence

• Test each trigger

• Verify all steps work

Finally: Build the funnel

• Add the product to the page

• Connect forms

• Link to workflows

Building in this order means when you create a funnel, everything it needs already exists. No going back to add missing pieces.

6. The Simplify, Automate, Amplify Framework Prevents Chaos

Adding AI and automation to chaos creates expensive chaos. Follow this sequence religiously.

Step 1: Simplify

List every subscription you're paying for. Check your bank statement, you'll find forgotten ones.

Identify crossover. Where do tools do similar things? Cut redundancy.

Cancel what you don't need before adding GoHighLevel.

Step 2: Automate

Identify your biggest frustration. What repetitive task makes you say "that was a rough day"?

Start there. Automate that one thing first.

Then stack the next automation. Then the next.

Don't try automating everything at once.

Step 3: Amplify with AI

Only after you've simplified and automated should you add AI features.

AI amplifies everything. Amplifying chaos is counterproductive.

AI amplifying streamlined systems creates exponential results.

The five-minute rule:

Tasks that "only take five minutes" are stealing your life. If you do a five-minute task 12 times daily, that's an hour. That's 25 hours monthly. That's 38 full workdays annually.

Automate those five-minute tasks first.

7. Workflows Are Your Business Engine, Learn Them Properly

Workflows are where the magic happens. This is what separates businesses that run without you from businesses that collapse when you're away.

Workflow anatomy:

Trigger: When this happens (form submission, purchase, booking)

Actions: Then do these things (send email, add tag, update pipeline)

Conditions: If/else branches for different paths

Delays: Wait periods between actions

Common workflow examples:

Lead magnet sequence:

• Trigger: Form submission

• Action: Send email with download link

• Action: Add tag "lead magnet subscriber"

• Action: Create opportunity in pipeline

• Action: Send notification to you

• Delay: Wait 1 day

• Action: Send follow-up email

• Delay: Wait 3 days

• Action: Send value email with soft pitch

Abandoned cart recovery:

• Trigger: Checkout form (opt-in only, not sale)

• Delay: Wait 1 hour

• Action: Send reminder email with discount code

• Delay: Wait 24 hours

• Action: Send final urgency email

Appointment confirmation:

• Trigger: Calendar booking

• Action: Send confirmation email

• Action: Send SMS confirmation

• Delay: Wait until 24 hours before

• Action: Send reminder email

• Action: Send reminder SMS

Save obsessively: Workflows don't auto-save by default. Save after every few steps.

Publish to activate: A workflow in draft mode does nothing. Click publish.

Test everything: Use test mode for checkouts. Use dummy contacts for email sequences.

8. Email Deliverability Requires Warm-Up or You'll Get Blocked

Sending 6,000 emails immediately from a new domain gets you blacklisted fast.

Warm-up protocol:

New domain (first 7 days):

• Day 1: Send 50 emails

• Day 2: Send 100 emails

• Day 3: Send 200 emails

• Day 4: Send 300 emails

• Day 5: Send 500 emails

• Day 6: Send 750 emails

• Day 7: Send 1,000 emails

After warm-up:

• Use batch sending for lists over 1,000

• Send 500 every 15 minutes

• Never blast everyone at once

Batch sending settings:

In the email builder, use "Send in Drip Mode" instead of "Send All at Once."

Configure timing:

• 500 emails per batch

• 15-minute intervals

• Send only on specific days/times

Critical: Always include unsubscribe links. Always add your physical address. Both are legally required and improve deliverability.

9. Pre-Built Sections and Templates Save Hundreds of Hours

Building everything from scratch is unnecessary and time-consuming.

Use pre-built sections in the funnel builder:

Click the plus icon, choose "Pre-built Sections," and stack a high-converting funnel in minutes:

• Hero section with headline and CTA

• Problem/solution section

• Social proof and testimonials

• Feature showcase

• FAQ section

• Footer with legal links

Customize colors, text, and images. The structure is proven.

Use workflow templates:

Don't build appointment reminders from scratch. Use the template. Customize it for your business.

Available templates include:

• Appointment confirmations

• Lead nurturing sequences

• Review request automations

• Abandoned cart recovery

Use funnel templates:

Browse templates for every industry:

• Marketing agencies

• Automotive

• Legal

• Restaurants

• Coaching

Pick one, customize it, launch.

Save your own sections:

Built something you like? Save it as a global section or section template.

Use it across multiple funnels without rebuilding.

Universal sections:

On SaaS plans, save sections that work across all sub-accounts.

Build once, deploy everywhere.

10. The Fastest Path to 10K Months Is Prospect Tool + Local Business

If you want to build an agency quickly, start here.

The Prospect Tool strategy:

Go to Agency Tools, Prospect.

Enter any business type (dry cleaners, dentists, gyms).

The tool generates a complete marketing audit showing:

• Missing website elements

• Weak Google Business Profile

• No chat widget

• Poor online reputation

• Technical gaps

The approach:

You're not cold calling. You're providing valuable free analysis.

"I ran a marketing audit on your business and noticed several opportunities. I put together a free report showing exactly what's missing and how to fix it. Would you like me to send it over?"

Most local businesses don't know what they're missing. You're educating them while positioning yourself as the expert.

What to offer:

Start simple. Don't try to sell everything at once.

Common high-value services:

• Website building

• Google Business Profile optimization

• Review management

• Automated appointment reminders

• Lead follow-up systems

You don't even need to do the work yourself. Hire freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork to deliver while you manage client relationships.

The math:

Get 5 local businesses at £297/month = £1,485 monthly recurring revenue

Get 10 clients = £2,970 monthly recurring revenue

Get 20 clients = £5,940 monthly recurring revenue

Get 30 clients = £8,910 monthly recurring revenue

That's nearly 10K monthly with relatively simple services for local businesses desperate for help.

Common Setup Mistakes That Cost You Months

Mistake 1: Not organizing workflows into folders

You'll create dozens of workflows. Without folders, finding anything becomes impossible.

Create folders by funnel or project. Keep everything organized from day one.

Mistake 2: Using vague names for everything

"New workflow" tells you nothing when you have 50 workflows.

Name everything descriptively: "Podcast Course - Abandoned Cart Sequence"

Mistake 3: Forgetting to add products to funnel pages

Your checkout page won't show products unless you add them in the funnel settings.

Always add products to the page, then to the checkout element.

Mistake 4: Not testing in test mode first

Use test mode for all payment testing. The test card is 4242 4242 4242 4242.

Never use your real card for testing. Turn off test mode before going live.

Mistake 5: Building automations before building funnels

Automations reference forms, products, and pages. If they don't exist yet, you can't select them.

Build in sequence: Products, Forms, Funnels, Workflows.

FAQ: GoHighLevel Setup Questions

Can I move from another platform without losing everything?

Yes. You can import from ClickFunnels and Kajabi directly. For other platforms, export your contacts as CSV and import them into GoHighLevel.

Do I need to be technical to use GoHighLevel?

No. The platform is drag-and-drop. If you can use basic software, you can use GoHighLevel. The learning curve exists, but it's not about technical ability, it's about understanding the workflow logic.

How long does setup take?

Basic setup (settings, domain, integrations): 2-3 hours

First funnel with automation: 4-6 hours

Full business migration: 1-2 weeks working part-time

What happens if I downgrade my plan later?

You keep all your data and contacts. Features tied to higher plans become unavailable, but nothing gets deleted.

Can I run multiple businesses on one account?

Yes, using sub-accounts. The Starter plan gives you three. The Unlimited plan gives you unlimited sub-accounts.

Is GoHighLevel really cheaper than multiple subscriptions?

Calculate what you're currently paying for: CRM, email marketing, funnel builder, calendar booking, course hosting, SMS marketing, website hosting.

Most businesses pay £500-1,500 monthly across platforms. GoHighLevel replaces all of them for £97-497 monthly.

What's the biggest reason people quit?

Overwhelm. They try to build everything at once instead of starting with one problem and solving it.

Follow the Simplify, Automate, Amplify framework. Start small. Stack wins.

Do I need to hire someone to set this up?

No. The platform is designed for business owners, not developers. However, if you want it done faster or you're genuinely time-poor, GoHighLevel offers onboarding services, or you can hire certified specialists.

Can I white label everything?

On the SaaS Pro plan, yes. You can brand the desktop app, mobile app, and client portal with your logo and colors. It looks entirely like your own software.

How do I know which features to use first?

Ask yourself: "What's the most frustrating part of running my business right now?"

Start there. Don't try to learn everything. Solve one problem, then move to the next.

Getting Started: Your First 48 Hours

Hour 1-2: Foundational Settings

• Set business information

• Upload logo and brand colors

• Connect domain

• Set correct time zone

• Link Google Calendar and Stripe

Hour 3-4: Create First Funnel Assets

• Create one product

• Build one opt-in form

• Set up one pipeline

Hour 5-6: Build First Workflow

• Simple lead magnet automation

• Form submission triggers

• Send email with download link

• Add tag and pipeline opportunity

Hour 7-8: Build First Funnel

• Use pre-built template

• Customize with your branding

• Add form to page

• Link to workflow

• Test everything

Day 2: Test and Refine

• Send yourself through the funnel

• Check all emails arrive

• Verify pipeline updates

• Fix any broken links

• Publish and launch

That's it. One working funnel with automation in 48 hours.

Then stack the next one. Then the next.

The Reality Check

GoHighLevel won't magically fix a broken business model. It won't create demand where none exists. It won't sell products nobody wants.

What it will do is remove the manual chaos eating your time. It eliminates the fragmentation draining your money. It creates systems that run without you constantly holding everything together.

The businesses thriving on GoHighLevel share one trait: they started small, mastered one piece, then stacked the next.

They didn't try to build everything in week one. They solved one problem, automated it, then moved forward.

That's your path too.

Start with your biggest frustration. Build one workflow to fix it. Then stack from there.

The platform is powerful, but power without focus creates complexity. Focus creates freedom.

Ready to stop juggling platforms and build a business that actually scales? Start your 30-day free trial with GoHighLevel: Get Started

Want the templates, workflows, and weekly coaching to implement this faster? Join through the Made For More AI community link to get all pre-built snapshots and automation templates: Join the Community