GoHighLevel CSV Import Prerequisites

Before you run any bulk contact upload, it is essential to understand the prerequisites for CSV imports in GoHighLevel. Even if you previously managed contact data in ClickUp, spreadsheets, or other CRMs, you must properly prepare your file so the system can process every record without errors. This guide walks you through all preparation steps required before using both Basic and Advanced CSV import options.

What You Need Before Using GoHighLevel CSV Import

To successfully upload contacts, confirm that the following foundational items are in place within your GoHighLevel account:

• Active sub-account where contacts will be imported
• Admin or appropriate user permissions to manage contacts
• Clean, well-structured CSV file saved in .csv format
• Stable internet connection and updated browser

These elements ensure that your bulk CSV, whether Basic or Advanced, can be processed smoothly.

Required CSV Structure for GoHighLevel Imports

The structure of your CSV determines whether GoHighLevel can successfully map each column to the correct contact fields. Follow these structure rules before uploading:

Essential Columns for GoHighLevel Contact Imports

Although you can include many columns, certain fields are strongly recommended to ensure your contact data is useful after import:

• First Name – Recommended for personalization, messages, and pipelines.
• Last Name – Helps distinguish contacts with the same first name.
• Email – Needed for email marketing campaigns.
• Phone – Required for SMS and call workflows.
• Full Name (optional) – Use only if you are not splitting into first and last name columns.

Make sure each column has a clear and consistent header so you can easily map it to existing or custom fields inside GoHighLevel during the import process.

Formatting Rules for GoHighLevel CSV Files

To avoid field mismatches and errors, apply these formatting guidelines:

• Save the file in standard CSV format (comma-separated values).
• Use one row per contact record, with no merged cells.
• Keep header names on the first row only.
• Do not include totals, formulas, or summary rows at the bottom of the sheet.
• Ensure there are no extra blank rows or columns at the edges of your data.

Preparing your CSV with these conventions allows GoHighLevel to read column headers accurately and align them to system fields.

Data Quality Checks Before Bulk Upload to GoHighLevel

Data quality is critical when importing to a CRM. Perform the checks below before importing into GoHighLevel using Basic or Advanced CSV:

Remove Duplicate Contacts

Duplicate email addresses or phone numbers can create clutter and confusion inside your sub-account. Before uploading:

1. Sort your CSV by email column.
2. Scan for repeated email addresses.
3. Decide which record to keep for each duplicate.
4. Delete or merge extra rows as needed.

Repeat the same process using phone numbers if that is your primary unique identifier.

Validate Email and Phone Formats

Invalid email or phone formats may prevent messages from being delivered correctly through GoHighLevel campaigns. Confirm that:

• Emails contain an @ symbol and a valid domain.
• Phone numbers include country codes if required by your region.
• There are no text comments inside email or phone fields.

Correcting these issues before import will reduce bounces and improve future automation performance.

Normalize Text and Date Fields

Consistent formatting makes your reporting and automations more reliable. Consider normalizing these data types before import:

• Names – Use standard capitalization (e.g., John, not JOHN).
• Dates – Keep a single date format across the entire sheet.
• Tags or labels – Use consistent spelling and naming conventions.

When your values are uniform, you can more easily segment contacts and apply workflows inside GoHighLevel.

Preparing for Basic CSV Import in GoHighLevel

The Basic CSV import method focuses on standard contact fields. Before starting a Basic import in GoHighLevel, verify the following:

• Your CSV only contains standard contact fields such as name, email, phone, and simple tags.
• Custom field data, if any, has corresponding fields already created in your account.
• Your file does not exceed any size or row limits specified in the platform.

This preparation helps you complete a Basic import quickly with minimal mapping steps.

Preparing for Advanced CSV Import in GoHighLevel

Advanced CSV import allows more complex mapping options inside GoHighLevel. For a smooth Advanced import, use these prerequisites:

Align Custom Fields in GoHighLevel

If your spreadsheet contains additional information such as lead source, appointment date, or custom status, create matching custom fields first:

1. List all non-standard columns in your CSV (beyond name, email, phone).
2. Decide which ones need custom fields within your account.
3. Create those custom fields in the appropriate area (contact, company, or opportunity).
4. Match the CSV column names as closely as possible to the custom field names.

Having custom fields set up beforehand ensures you can map every column during the Advanced import process.

Plan Tagging and Segmentation

Advanced imports are a good opportunity to organize contacts for targeted campaigns in GoHighLevel. Before importing:

• Decide what tags you will use (for example, “Webinar-Lead”, “Customer”, “Cold-Prospect”).
• Confirm these tags are consistently written in your CSV.
• Remove unnecessary labels or convert them into a unified tag system.

Thoughtful tagging during import simplifies segmentation and automation later on.

Test a Sample CSV in GoHighLevel First

Before uploading your entire database, it is wise to test a sample set of records inside GoHighLevel:

1. Create a small CSV file with 5–20 representative contacts.
2. Include the same columns and formats that exist in your main file.
3. Run a Basic or Advanced import using this test CSV.
4. Review the resulting contacts: field mapping, tags, and data accuracy.

If everything looks correct, you can proceed with the full bulk upload. If something appears misaligned, adjust your original CSV or mappings and test again.

Where to Learn More About GoHighLevel CSV Requirements

For detailed, platform-specific references on CSV prerequisites and supported fields, review the official documentation provided by the platform. You can view the original help article here: GoHighLevel CSV prerequisites.

If you need implementation help, strategy, or technical guidance around CRM setups and marketing workflows, you can also visit Consultevo for professional consulting services.

Final Checklist Before Importing into GoHighLevel

Use this quick checklist before performing any bulk CSV import in GoHighLevel:

• CSV is saved in .csv format with one row per contact.
• Headers are clearly labeled and appear only in the first row.
• No blank trailing rows, extra columns, or summary data.
• Emails and phone numbers are valid and consistently formatted.
• Duplicate contacts have been removed or consolidated.
• Custom fields and tags required for Advanced import already exist in the system.
• A small test CSV has been imported and reviewed successfully.

By following these prerequisites and preparation steps, your bulk Basic or Advanced CSV import into GoHighLevel will be more accurate, efficient, and ready for immediate use in your campaigns and automations.

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