Go High Level CRM

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Set Up Your Go High Level CRM

GHL VA
January 16, 2026•4 min read

Go High Level (GHL) is one of the most powerful CRM and automation platforms available for agencies, coaches, and small businesses. If you're new to the system, setting it up may feel overwhelming — but don’t worry. This guide walks you through every step in simple language so you can get started quickly and confidently.

Step By Step Guide

1. Create and Log In to Your Go High Level Account

  • Go to the Go High Level website

  • Sign up for your plan

  • Log in with your email and password

  • You will enter the main dashboard

This is your control center for managing leads, pipelines, conversations, and automations.

2. Set Up Your Business Profile

Before using GHL, update your business details:

  1. Go to Settings (bottom left corner)

  2. Click Company Settings

  3. Add:

    • Business name

    • Address

    • Phone number

    • Website

    • Logo

Click Save.

This information will appear on emails, funnels, and invoices.

setup GHL Account

3. Connect Your Email (SMTP)

Email connection is required for sending campaigns, workflows, and follow-ups.

  1. Go to Settings → Email Services

  2. Choose your provider (Gmail, Outlook, SendGrid, Mailgun, etc.)

  3. Connect your account

  4. Verify your domain (if required)

Once connected, you can start sending emails directly from GHL.

4. Connect Your Phone Number (Twilio or LeadConnector)

To send SMS, calls, and voicemail drops, you must add a phone number:

  1. Go to Phone Number in Settings

  2. Choose Buy Number

  3. Select your country & area code

  4. Purchase the number

This number will be used for:

  • SMS campaigns

  • Missed call text-back

  • Call forwarding

  • Pipeline follow-ups

Twilio or LeadConnector

5. Connect Your Calendar

If you want online booking or appointment scheduling:

  1. Go to Calendars

  2. Click + New Calendar

  3. Choose a calendar type (Round Robin, Team, Class, etc.)

  4. Connect your Google or Outlook calendar

  5. Set availability, meeting duration, and reminders

Your clients can now book appointments automatically.

6. Build Your Sales Pipeline

A pipeline helps track leads from the first contact to closing.

  1. Go to Opportunities

  2. Click Pipeline → Create New Pipeline

  3. Add stages like:

    • New Lead

    • Contacted

    • Appointment Booked

    • Follow-Up

    • Closed Won / Lost

This gives you a clear picture of your entire sales process.

7. Import or Add Your Contacts

  1. Go to Contacts

  2. Click Import to upload a CSV

  3. Map fields such as:

    • Name

    • Email

    • Phone

    • Tags

Or add contacts manually using Add Contact.

GHL Virtual Assistant add contact

8. Create Your First Automation Workflow

Workflows help automate follow-ups, reminders, and lead nurturing.

Steps:

  1. Go to Automation → Workflows

  2. Click Create Workflow from Scratch

  3. Add triggers like:

    • Form submitted

    • Tag added

    • Appointment booked

  4. Add actions:

    • Send SMS

    • Send email

    • Move pipeline stage

    • Add task

    • Add tag

Turn on the workflow when ready.

9. Set Up Your Funnels or Website Pages

You can build landing pages directly inside GHL:

  1. Go to Sites → Funnels

  2. Click New Funnel

  3. Choose a template

  4. Edit text, images, buttons, and forms

  5. Connect your automation workflow

Publish when done.

10. Test Everything Before Going Live

Test the following:

  • Email sending

  • SMS delivery

  • Form submissions

  • Booking links

  • Automations

  • Pipelines

Make sure everything works correctly.

GHL Automation

11. Add Team Members (Optional)

If you have employees or VAs:

  1. Go to Settings → Team

  2. Add user

  3. Assign permissions

  4. Send login details

12. Start Using Your CRM Daily

Once your setup is complete, you can:

  • Track incoming leads

  • Follow up automatically

  • Reply to messages in the Conversations tab

  • Move leads in the pipeline

  • Monitor reports and analytics

Conclusion

Setting up your Go High Level CRM becomes simple when you follow the right steps. Once everything is connected—email, phone, calendar, pipelines, automations—you can manage leads more efficiently and grow your business faster. For advanced setup, many businesses hire a GHL virtual assistant, but even beginners can get started easily with this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Go High Level CRM used for?

Go High Level CRM is used to manage leads, automate follow-ups, run marketing campaigns, book appointments, and streamline business operations in one platform.

2. Is Go High Level easy to set up for beginners?

Yes, GHL is beginner-friendly. Once your email, phone number, and calendar are connected, the platform becomes very easy to use for managing clients and automations.

3. Do I need technical skills to set up Go High Level?

No, you don’t need advanced technical skills. Most steps are simple, such as connecting accounts, creating pipelines, and choosing automation triggers.

4. Can I import my contacts into Go High Level?

Yes, you can upload contacts using a CSV file or add them manually inside the Contacts tab.

5. How do I automate follow-ups in GHL?

You can create follow-up automations inside the Workflows section. Add triggers (like form submission) and actions (like emails or SMS) to automate your lead nurturing.

6. Do I need a domain to use Go High Level?

You can use GHL without a domain, but connecting your domain makes your website, funnels, emails, and branding look professional.

7. Can I use Go High Level for appointment scheduling?

Yes, GHL has a built-in calendar system that syncs with Google or Outlook. You can create booking links for clients to schedule meetings automatically.

8. Should I hire a GHL VA to set up my CRM?

If you’re busy or want a professional setup, a Go High Level virtual assistant can help with automations, funnels, pipelines, and tech setup.

Go High Level CRM gohighlevel virtual assistanthigh level va
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