Automating pipelines in GoHighLevel (GHL) is one of the best ways to save time, stay organized, and ensure that your leads move smoothly through every stage of your sales process. Whether you’re a beginner or someone trying to make your workflow more efficient, this guide will walk you through automation in simple, friendly language.

---

What Is a Pipeline in GHL?

A pipeline is a visual board inside GHL where your leads move from one stage to another.
For example:
New Lead → Contacted → Appointment Set → Follow-Up → Closed

Automating this pipeline helps you move leads automatically whenever they take certain actions—like filling a form, replying to a message, booking a call, or making a purchase.

---

Why Automate Your Pipeline?

Automation gives you several advantages:

• Saves time by removing manual updates
• Ensures every lead follows your system consistently
• Helps keep your sales team focused on closing deals
• Reduces human error
• Creates smoother customer experiences

Example:
Instead of manually moving a lead to “Appointment Set,” GHL can move them automatically as soon as they book a call on your calendar.

---

Steps to Automate Pipelines in GoHighLevel

Below is the step-by-step process you can follow, even if you’re new to the platform.

---

1. Create or Review Your Pipeline

Before you automate anything, make sure your pipeline is properly structured.

Steps:

1. Go to Opportunities
2. Click Pipelines
3. Add stages that match your sales cycle
4. Name each stage clearly, such as:
   • New Lead
   • Qualified
   • Booked Appointment
   • No Show
   • Closed Won
   • Closed Lost

Tip: Don’t create too many stages—keep it clean and simple.

---

2. Open the Workflow Builder

All automations in GHL happen inside Workflows.

How to get there:

• Go to Automation
• Click Workflows
• Create a new workflow from scratch or from a template

---

3. Choose a Trigger

A trigger is an action that starts the automation.

Common triggers for pipeline automation:

• Form submitted
• Survey submitted
• Calendar appointment booked
• Tag added
• Contact created
• Opportunity status changed

Example:
If someone fills out a lead form, you can trigger the automation to add them to your pipeline automatically.

---

4. Add the Pipeline Action

Now it’s time to add the actual automation that updates your pipeline.

Steps:

1. Click the + button in the workflow
2. Select Opportunity
3. Choose what you want to automate:
   • Create Opportunity
   • Move to Stage
   • Update Status
   • Mark as Won
   • Mark as Lost

---

5. Set Conditions (Optional but Useful)

You can add conditions to keep your automation clean.

Examples:

• Only move a lead if they booked a call
• Only mark a lead as “Lost” if no activity happened for 7 days

Useful options:

• If/Else
• Wait steps
• Tag checks

---

6. Add Follow-Up Actions

GHL automations can do more than pipeline updates.

Add steps like:

• Send SMS
• Send email
• Assign to a team member
• Add notes
• Apply a tag
• Start another workflow

Example:
When a lead books an appointment:

• Move them to “Appointment Set”
• Send a confirmation SMS
• Assign the lead to a team member
• Add a task for the sales rep

---

7. Test Your Workflow

Before turning it on, test it carefully.

How to test:

• Add a test contact
• Trigger the event (e.g., submit a form)
• Check if the pipeline updates correctly

Testing avoids mistakes and confusion later.

---

8. Turn On the Automation

Once everything works perfectly, toggle the workflow ON.
Your pipeline is now automated!

---

Final Tips for Smooth Pipeline Automation

• Keep your stages simple
• Name automations clearly
• Avoid overlapping workflows
• Use tags to stay organized
• Review your pipeline weekly
• Update workflow steps as your business grows

---

Automation doesn’t replace your team—but it makes your team far more efficient. With a well-built automated pipeline in GHL, you reduce manual work and ensure every lead gets the attention they need.