GoHighLevel Tutorial: Getting Started Step by Step

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GoHighLevel has a lot of features, and most of the frustration new users feel comes from setting them up in the wrong order. This tutorial follows a sequence where each step builds on the previous one, so you have a working lead-to-appointment system by the end of your first week, well within the 14-day free trial.

Day 1: Account Foundations

1. Create the agency account. Choose a plan and start the trial. Add your company details, logo and time zone.
2. Create your first sub-account. Add one for your own business or your first client. Decide whether to load a snapshot.
3. Invite team users. All plans include unlimited users. Give each person only the permissions they need.
4. Connect your domain. Add a domain or subdomain for funnels and websites, and verify it.

Day 2: Phone, Email and Compliance

1. Buy a phone number. Add an LC Phone number in the sub-account; calls and texts are billed at carrier rates.
2. Set up email sending. Configure LC Email with a dedicated sending domain and authentication records so messages reach the inbox.
3. Submit A2P 10DLC registration. Required for texting US numbers. Start now because approval can take time. See the A2P guide.
4. Fund the wallet. Add a balance and set auto-recharge limits for usage.

Day 3: CRM, Pipelines and Calendars

1. Create custom fields and tags. Capture the information you need for each lead, such as service type or budget.
2. Build a pipeline. Use stages that match your sales process, for example New Lead, Contacted, Booked, Showed, Won, Lost.
3. Create a booking calendar. Set availability, buffers and confirmation and reminder messages.
4. Connect your personal calendar. Sync with Google or Outlook so bookings respect existing appointments.

Day 4: Capture Leads

1. Build a form or funnel. Start with one landing page and one form. Include clear SMS consent language.
2. Add the chat widget. Place it on your website so visitors can text you.
3. Turn on missed-call text-back. Every unanswered call gets an automatic text reply.

Day 5: Your First Automations

Build these three workflows before anything else:

Days 6–7: Test and Launch

• Submit your own form and confirm every message arrives
• Book a test appointment and check reminders
• Call your number and let it ring out to test missed-call text-back
• Check the mobile app conversations
• Review wallet usage after testing

Next Steps

After the basics, explore the AI Employee for after-hours replies, connect your other tools with the integrations guide, and if you run an agency, read about SaaS Mode.