Automations in GoHighLevel

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Automations in GoHighLevel: Complete How-To Guide

GoHighLevel Automations give you powerful workflow control similar to what you may know from ClickUp, but built specifically for marketing, sales, and client communication. In this guide, you will learn how to access, build, and manage Automations so you can streamline your processes across your entire GoHighLevel account.

This article is based on the official Automations Overview from GoHighLevel and explains each part of the builder in clear, practical steps.

What Are GoHighLevel Automations?

Automations in GoHighLevel are visual workflows that run when specific conditions are met. You combine triggers, actions, and filters to create automated sequences that respond to contact behavior or system events.

With Automations, you can:

  • Automatically respond to new leads
  • Move contacts between pipelines and stages
  • Send emails, SMS, and internal notifications
  • Update contact details and custom fields
  • Control complex multi-step processes without manual work

How to Access Automations in GoHighLevel

Follow these steps to open the Automations section inside GoHighLevel:

  1. Log in to your GoHighLevel account.
  2. Navigate to the Automations area in the left-hand menu.
  3. Click to open the Automations dashboard, where you will see your existing workflows and the option to create new ones.

Each automation appears as a visual flowchart with triggers at the top and connected actions and paths below.

Understanding the GoHighLevel Automations Interface

The Automations builder in GoHighLevel is divided into several key areas that help you design and manage workflows efficiently.

Main Automation Canvas in GoHighLevel

The main canvas is where you visually design your automation. On this canvas, you can:

  • View the primary trigger at the top of the workflow
  • Add and connect actions, conditions, and branches
  • Zoom in and out for large workflows
  • Scroll to view every step and ensure the logic is correct

Each block on the canvas represents a step, such as sending a message, waiting for a time delay, or checking for a condition.

Left-Side Actions Panel in GoHighLevel

On the left side of the Automations builder, GoHighLevel provides an actions panel. This is where you can drag and drop elements onto the canvas.

Common elements include:

  • Triggers: Define how contacts enter the automation.
  • Actions: Tell the system what to do when the trigger fires.
  • Conditions: Split paths based on filters or events.
  • Wait steps: Add delays between actions.

To add a step, simply drag the desired action from the panel and drop it on the canvas, then connect it to other steps.

Right-Side Settings Panel in GoHighLevel

When you click on any element in the automation, the right-side panel in GoHighLevel opens and shows the settings for that step.

Depending on what you selected, you can:

  • Configure trigger parameters, such as when it should run
  • Choose email or SMS templates
  • Set delay durations
  • Adjust conditions and filters
  • Change names and descriptions for clarity

The right-side panel is also where you adjust global automation settings, such as activation, enrollment behavior, and how contacts re-enter the workflow.

How to Create a New Automation in GoHighLevel

Use the following step-by-step process to build a new automation inside GoHighLevel:

Step 1: Start a New Automation

  1. From the main Automations page in GoHighLevel, click the button to Create workflow or similar option shown in your interface.
  2. Give your automation a clear name and, if available, select a folder or category to keep it organized.

Step 2: Add a Trigger in GoHighLevel

Every automation in GoHighLevel must start with at least one trigger. Common trigger types available include:

  • Form submitted
  • Survey submitted
  • Contact tag added or removed
  • Pipeline stage changed
  • Order or invoice events
  • Appointment booked or status changed

To configure the trigger:

  1. Click on the trigger block at the top of the workflow.
  2. Use the right-side settings panel to select the specific form, pipeline, calendar, or condition.
  3. Save the trigger so contacts can enter the automation when the condition is met.

Step 3: Add Actions and Conditions

Once the trigger is set, extend your automation in GoHighLevel by adding actions and conditional logic.

Typical actions include:

  • Send email
  • Send SMS
  • Add or remove tag
  • Update custom field
  • Create opportunity in a pipeline
  • Move opportunity to another stage
  • Add internal notification

For conditional flows, you can add:

  • If/Else conditions to split contacts based on field values or behavior
  • Wait steps to pause the workflow for a specific time
  • Event-based waits that continue once a condition is true

Connect each block so the automation follows a logical path from the trigger through every action.

Step 4: Adjust Workflow Settings

In the main automation settings panel on the right, GoHighLevel lets you control how contacts interact with the workflow.

Here you can typically:

  • Turn the automation Active or keep it in Draft mode
  • Decide if contacts can enter the automation more than once
  • Set default time zone behavior for waits and sends
  • Control whether existing contacts can be added manually

Review these options carefully so your automation behaves exactly as expected.

Step 5: Test and Activate in GoHighLevel

Before using any automation in live campaigns, always test it thoroughly inside GoHighLevel.

  1. Use a test contact and manually enroll it in the workflow if needed.
  2. Verify each step: messages, delays, and condition paths.
  3. Check logs or activity timelines to confirm that actions are firing.
  4. Once everything works as intended, switch the automation status to Active.

Managing Existing GoHighLevel Automations

As your account grows, you may have numerous workflows running at once. GoHighLevel provides tools to manage them efficiently.

From the Automations list, you can:

  • Search by name or filter by folder
  • See whether an automation is Active or Draft
  • Open any workflow to edit steps or settings
  • Duplicate existing automations to create new variations
  • Turn off old or temporary workflows when no longer needed

Keeping your GoHighLevel automations labeled and organized will make future maintenance much easier.

Best Practices for GoHighLevel Automations

Use these practical tips to keep your automations clean, scalable, and easy to troubleshoot:

  • Name everything clearly: Use descriptive names for automations, triggers, and steps.
  • Group related steps: Keep messaging, tagging, and opportunity changes logically grouped.
  • Limit overlapping workflows: Avoid multiple automations acting on the same contact in conflicting ways.
  • Document logic: Use notes or naming conventions to explain complex branches.
  • Review regularly: Periodically audit automations for outdated content or logic.

Where to Learn More About GoHighLevel Automations

For deeper technical details and the latest interface updates, you can review the official Automations Overview article provided by the platform. It offers screenshots and exact labels as they appear in the current version of the tool.

By following the steps and best practices in this guide, you can use GoHighLevel Automations to build reliable, scalable systems that save time, standardize follow-up, and improve results across your marketing and sales operations.

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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