GoHighLevel Workflows vs Campaigns

If you are migrating from older systems like ClickUp task reminders or legacy email tools, understanding how GoHighLevel automation works is essential. The platform has moved from the older campaigns and triggers system to a modern, unified workflow engine. This how-to guide explains what changed and exactly how to replace deprecated features with updated workflows so you can keep your automations running smoothly.

The information that follows is based on the official documentation at this GoHighLevel support article, rewritten as a practical step-by-step guide.

Why GoHighLevel Replaced Campaigns and Triggers

The original automation system in GoHighLevel relied on separate campaigns, triggers, and trigger links. While powerful, it created fragmented logic that was harder to manage as accounts grew.

Workflows were introduced to:

• Simplify automation management in a single visual builder.
• Unify triggers, actions, and conditions in one place.
• Replace deprecated tools like trigger links and multiple campaign chains.
• Make scaling and debugging automations easier across a GoHighLevel account.

As a result, some older features are now deprecated and should not be used for new setups.

Deprecated Features in GoHighLevel

The following items from the legacy automation system are considered deprecated and should be replaced with workflows:

• Legacy Campaigns used to run linear automation sequences.
• Standalone Triggers that fired contacts into specific campaigns.
• Trigger Links used to add or remove contacts from campaigns when a link was clicked.
• Complex webs of multiple campaigns chained together.

Existing setups may still function for now, but the official recommendation is to move them into workflows to align with current GoHighLevel best practices.

How to Replace Old Campaigns with GoHighLevel Workflows

The most important migration task is converting each legacy campaign into a dedicated workflow. Use the process below to rebuild and modernize your automations.

Step 1: Audit Your Existing GoHighLevel Campaigns

1. Open your location in GoHighLevel.
2. Navigate to the old Campaigns area.
3. List all active campaigns that still receive new contacts.
4. Note for each campaign:
   • Its goal (nurture, onboarding, sales follow-up, etc.).
   • How contacts are added (forms, funnels, triggers, imports).
   • All emails, SMS, calls, and wait steps in order.

This audit gives you a clear blueprint to rebuild the automation using the workflow system.

Step 2: Create a New GoHighLevel Workflow

1. Go to Automation > Workflows inside GoHighLevel.
2. Click + Create Workflow.
3. Start from scratch or from a template if one matches your goal.
4. Name the workflow after the legacy campaign so you can track what you are replacing.

Each legacy campaign typically becomes a single workflow. If your campaign was handling multiple distinct processes, consider breaking it into several smaller workflows for clarity.

Step 3: Add Triggers Inside the Workflow

Instead of using the old triggers section, the new approach is to define triggers directly inside the workflow itself.

1. In the workflow, click Add Trigger.
2. Select the condition that should start the automation, such as:
   • Form submitted.
   • Pipeline stage changed.
   • Tag added.
   • Appointment booked.
   • Contact created.
3. Configure any filters, such as specific forms, pipelines, or tags.

This replaces the previous pattern where a trigger moved a contact into a separate campaign. Now, everything is contained inside the GoHighLevel workflow.

Step 4: Rebuild Campaign Steps as Workflow Actions

Next, recreate the steps from your legacy campaign as actions in the workflow.

1. Use Wait actions to match the timing delays between messages.
2. Add Send Email and Send SMS actions, copying content and settings from the old campaign.
3. Insert Call or Voicemail actions where required.
4. Use Conditional or If/Else steps when logic should branch based on contact behavior.

As you rebuild, you may find opportunities to simplify logic using the unified GoHighLevel workflow editor instead of maintaining several separate campaigns.

How to Replace Old Triggers with GoHighLevel Workflows

Legacy triggers sent contacts into specific campaigns. With workflows, you move the logic inside the workflow itself.

Convert a Single Legacy Trigger

1. Open the old trigger and note:
   • Its event (for example, form submission or tag added).
   • Any filters applied.
   • Which campaign it adds the contact to.
2. Open the new workflow that replaces that campaign.
3. Click Add Trigger and recreate the same event and filters.
4. Save the workflow and disable or delete the old trigger.

If multiple legacy triggers all pointed to the same campaign, you can often consolidate them into a single workflow with multiple entry triggers.

Merge Multiple Triggers into One GoHighLevel Workflow

1. Create one main workflow for the process you are automating.
2. Add several triggers inside this workflow that represent each entry path.
3. Use conditions or filters if different paths should receive different sequences.
4. Test each entry condition to confirm contacts follow the correct branch.

This structure is easier to read and maintain compared to dozens of separate legacy triggers sending contacts into multiple campaigns.

Replacing Trigger Links in GoHighLevel Workflows

Trigger links were used to fire automation rules when a tracked link was clicked. In the workflow system, you upgrade this behavior using workflow triggers and conditions.

Step 1: Identify Every Old Trigger Link

1. Review your legacy triggers and campaigns for any action that references a trigger link.
2. Note the link purpose, such as:
   • Clicked to opt in or confirm.
   • Clicked to opt out or pause a sequence.
   • Clicked to move stages in a funnel.

Step 2: Use Workflow Triggers Based on Link Events

Depending on the configuration in your GoHighLevel account, you can typically replace trigger links by:

• Using Email Event or Link Click based triggers inside a workflow.
• Tagging contacts when they click specific links.
• Adding conditions that check tags or link events before continuing.

The exact configuration will mirror the logic of your previous trigger link setup but is now fully managed within a single workflow.

Testing and Launching Your New GoHighLevel Workflows

Before turning off legacy automations, validate the new workflows carefully.

1. Create test contacts that represent common scenarios and edge cases.
2. Manually fire the trigger events (form submits, tag additions, appointments).
3. Follow the contact record to confirm each step runs at the right time.
4. Check that emails, SMS, and status changes match the legacy campaign behavior.
5. Adjust any timings or conditions based on your test results.

Once you are satisfied with your tests, disable the legacy campaigns, triggers, and trigger links that have been replaced. This helps avoid duplicate messages or conflicting automations.

Best Practices for Managing GoHighLevel Workflows

• Use clear naming for every workflow so team members know its purpose.
• Group workflows by function: marketing, sales, onboarding, support, etc.
• Document entry conditions in a note step or description field.
• Review regularly to remove unused branches and outdated logic.
• Limit overlap so the same contact is not driven by conflicting workflows.

Applying these practices keeps your GoHighLevel automation stack reliable and scalable as your account grows.

Where to Get More Help on GoHighLevel Automation

For strategic support on designing automation architectures, you can visit ConsulTevo for consulting and implementation services.

For the most precise and current platform behavior, always refer back to the official GoHighLevel documentation on workflows vs campaigns and deprecated triggers. Combining that reference material with the steps in this how-to guide will give you a clear path from legacy automations to the modern workflow system.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your GHL , work with ConsultEvo — trusted GoHighLevel Partners.

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