Funnel Builder Setup

Build your first high-converting funnel from template to published URL. This guide walks through template selection, page customization, form integration, domain connection, and publishing workflows to get your funnel live and generating leads.

Prerequisites

Before building your first funnel, ensure you have:

• Admin access to your GoHighLevel sub-account
• A custom domain or subdomain ready to connect (optional but recommended)
• Your offer details: headline, benefits, pricing, and call-to-action
• Forms created or ready to create for lead capture
• Assets ready: logo, images, and any video content

Create Your First Funnel

Start with a proven template to accelerate your build and follow best practices from the start.

Navigate to Sites > Funnels in your sub-account.

Click New Funnel in the upper-right corner.

Choose your creation method. Select From Templates to start with a professionally designed funnel structure. Select From Blank for complete control from scratch. Select Funnel AI to generate a custom funnel based on your business description.

If you chose templates, click Continue to open the Template Library. Browse by industry, funnel type (opt-in, sales, webinar, application), or layout style using the filters and search bar.

Click Preview on any template to see the full page mockup and flow structure. Look for templates that match your conversion goal and visual style.

Once you find the right template, click Continue. The system imports all pages, sections, and placeholder content into your account.

Name your funnel clearly and descriptively. Use names like “Free Consultation Booking Funnel” or “Product Launch Sales Funnel” instead of generic names like “Funnel 1.”

Click Save to create the funnel. The funnel now appears in your funnel list.

Customize Funnel Pages

Replace placeholder content with your brand assets, copy, and offer details.

Click Edit on the first funnel step to open the drag-and-drop editor.

Replace the headline text by clicking directly on the text element. Write a clear, benefit-driven headline that immediately communicates your value proposition.

Update the sub-headline to expand on your promise and clarify the offer.

Replace placeholder images by clicking the image element, then clicking Upload Image or selecting from your media library. Use high-quality, compressed images under 2 MB for fast loading.

Edit button text to match your call-to-action. Use action-oriented phrases like “Get My Free Guide,” “Book Your Call,” or “Start Your Trial.”

Update form fields if your template includes a form element. Click the form, select Edit Form or Add New Form, and configure the fields to capture the data you need: name, email, phone, and any custom fields.

Set button actions by clicking any button, scrolling to Button Actions in the right panel, and selecting the destination. Choose “Go to Next Step” to advance to the next funnel page, or enter a custom URL for external redirects.

Switch to Mobile Mode using the device icon in the top toolbar. Review every section for text overflow, image sizing, and button placement. Adjust mobile-specific settings in the right panel when needed.

Click Save frequently as you work. Changes save as drafts until you publish.

Repeat this process for each funnel step: opt-in page, thank-you page, order form, or any additional pages in your sequence.

Configure Forms and Lead Capture

Connect forms to your CRM and set up submission actions to capture and route leads automatically.

Click the Form element on your funnel page to select it.

If no form exists, click Add Form and choose to create a new form or select an existing one from your account.

In the Form Builder modal, add fields by dragging elements from the left panel: Name, Email, Phone, Dropdown, Checkbox, and any custom fields you have created.

Mark required fields by toggling the Required switch on each field. Required fields prevent submission if left blank.

Customize the submit button text in the Form Builder (for example, “Send Me the Guide” or “Reserve My Spot”).

Set the On Submit action. Choose “Go to Next Step” to advance the visitor to your thank-you page, or select “Show Message” to display a confirmation without redirecting.

Enable Redirect URL if you want to send form submitters to an external page or tracking URL.

Add hidden fields to pass UTM parameters, source data, or other tracking values without displaying them to visitors. Use hidden fields like Source, Medium, Campaign, and any custom values you need for attribution.

Click Save to store the form configuration.

Test form submission by opening the funnel preview, filling out the form, and submitting. Verify the contact appears in Contacts with all captured data correctly mapped to CRM fields.

Connect Forms to Automations

Automate follow-up immediately after form submission to nurture leads without manual work.

Navigate to Automation > Workflows.

Click + Create Workflow and select Build From Scratch or choose a template.

Set the trigger to Form Submitted. Use the dropdown to select the specific form used in your funnel.

Add filters if needed to narrow the trigger by form location, tag, or custom field value.

Add your first action step. Choose Send Email to deliver a welcome message, lead magnet, or confirmation. Select your email template or create a new one.

Add additional actions as needed: Send SMS, Add Tag, Create Opportunity, Assign to Pipeline, Add to Campaign, or Assign Task.

Use the Delay action between steps to space out communication over time (for example, wait 2 days, then send a follow-up email).

Click Save and toggle the workflow to Published.

Test the workflow by submitting the form again and confirming all actions fire correctly. Check your contact record to verify tags, pipeline stages, and campaign enrollment.

Connect a Custom Domain

Publish your funnel on your own domain for brand consistency and trust.

Navigate to Settings > Domains in your sub-account.

Click Connect a Domain.

Enter your domain or subdomain (for example, “offers.yourbusiness.com” or “go.yourbusiness.com”). Subdomains work best for funnels, keeping them separate from your main website.

Click Continue. The system provides DNS instructions showing the CNAME or A records you need to add.

Log in to your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.) and navigate to the DNS management section for your domain.

Add the CNAME record provided by the platform. Set the Host field to your subdomain (for example, “offers”) and the Points To field to the value provided by the platform.

Save the DNS record at your registrar. DNS propagation can take 5 minutes to 48 hours, though most updates verify within 30 minutes.

Return to the platform and click Verify Records. If verification succeeds, the domain shows as connected.

Go back to Sites > Funnels, click the three dots on your funnel card, and select Settings.

In the Domain dropdown, select your newly connected domain. Click Save.

Your funnel is now accessible at your custom domain.

Publish Your Funnel

Make your funnel live and accessible to visitors.

Open each funnel step in the editor and review for completeness. Verify headlines, images, buttons, forms, and mobile responsiveness.

Click through the entire funnel flow as a visitor would. Ensure buttons navigate correctly, forms submit successfully, and thank-you pages display the right content.

Return to Sites > Funnels and locate your funnel card.

Toggle the funnel status to Live or click Publish if the option appears in the editor.

Test the published funnel by visiting the live URL in a private browser window. Submit the form with test data and confirm the contact appears in your CRM, automations trigger, and the thank-you page displays.

Share the funnel URL in your marketing channels: email campaigns, SMS broadcasts, social media posts, paid ads, and anywhere you drive traffic.

Test Your Setup

Verify all funnel components work correctly before driving paid traffic.

Open your funnel URL in a private or incognito browser window to simulate a new visitor.

Navigate through each funnel step. Click all buttons to confirm they advance to the correct pages or trigger the expected actions.

Fill out the form with test data (use a test email address you control). Submit the form and verify you receive confirmation emails, SMS messages, or any automated communication set up in workflows.

Check your Contacts list for the test submission. Open the contact record and verify all form fields mapped correctly to CRM fields.

Review the contact’s activity timeline to confirm workflow actions executed (tags added, opportunity created, pipeline assignment, email sent).

Open the funnel on your mobile device. Test the entire flow on a phone to confirm mobile responsiveness, button tap targets, and form usability.

If using Facebook Pixel, Google Analytics, or other tracking scripts, verify events fire correctly by checking your analytics dashboard or using browser developer tools.

Test A/B split variations if you set up split testing. Refresh the page multiple times to confirm different variations load according to your traffic split percentage.

Next Steps

Now that your funnel is live, explore advanced features and integrations to optimize performance:

• A/B Split Testing to test headlines, images, and layouts for higher conversions
• Order Forms to sell products and process payments directly in your funnel
• Stripe Integration to connect payment processing for order forms
• Workflow Builder to build complex automation sequences triggered by funnel events
• Custom Fields to capture business-specific data through funnel forms

For a complete overview of Funnel Builder features, advanced techniques, and best practices, read the Funnel Builder Guide.