The GHL Playbook — Learn. Build. Automate.
Independent GoHighLevel education

GoHighLevel doesn’t have to be complicated.

Learn how CRM, automation, follow-up and appointment systems can help you build a smarter business — explained in plain English, with real workflows you can copy.

Beginner-friendly guidanceClear, plain-English steps10 real workflow examples
What a lead journey looks like when it runs itself
  • New leadForm, call, DM or ad
  • CRMOne contact record, one inbox
  • Instant follow-upSMS + email in seconds
  • AppointmentBooked from your live calendar
  • Reminders24 hours and 1 hour before
  • PipelineStage moves on its own
  • CustomerNothing fell through the cracks
🏠Real estate

Inquiry answered by SMS in seconds, viewing booked from the agent’s calendar.

Instant SMSAgent alertReminders
🛠Home services

Missed call sends an automatic text back with a booking link attached.

Missed call textQuote visitFollow-up
🦷Dental & medical

Booking link, confirmation and two reminders with no staff time.

Booking link24h reminder1h reminder
Law firms

Intake form fills the record and routes the matter to the right person.

Intake formRoutingConsult booked
🏋Fitness

Trial offer, reminder, and a follow-up that opens the membership conversation.

Welcome SMSTrial bookedPost-session
🎯Coaches

Lead magnet delivered instantly, then a teaching sequence that earns the call.

Instant deliveryNurtureCall booked
🏢Agencies

Every source lands in one pipeline with the same follow-up for everyone.

Lead routingRep alertPipeline
🍴Restaurants

Catering inquiries confirmed and routed instead of lost mid-service.

Auto replyEvent detailsStaff ping
🚗Auto

Vehicle inquiry answered in a minute, test drive booked without phone tag.

Instant replyTest driveReminders
🛒E-commerce

Cart reminders, order updates and a re-engagement nudge later on.

Cart nudgeOrder updatesWin-back
📱Any business

One inbox for SMS, email, and messages instead of five open tabs.

Shared inboxOne recordNo tabs
📈Any business

Pipeline stages that move themselves as the deal actually progresses.

Auto stagesClear boardNo dragging
🏠Real estate

Inquiry answered by SMS in seconds, viewing booked from the agent’s calendar.

Instant SMSAgent alertReminders
🛠Home services

Missed call sends an automatic text back with a booking link attached.

Missed call textQuote visitFollow-up
🦷Dental & medical

Booking link, confirmation and two reminders with no staff time.

Booking link24h reminder1h reminder
Law firms

Intake form fills the record and routes the matter to the right person.

Intake formRoutingConsult booked
🏋Fitness

Trial offer, reminder, and a follow-up that opens the membership conversation.

Welcome SMSTrial bookedPost-session
🎯Coaches

Lead magnet delivered instantly, then a teaching sequence that earns the call.

Instant deliveryNurtureCall booked
🏢Agencies

Every source lands in one pipeline with the same follow-up for everyone.

Lead routingRep alertPipeline
🍴Restaurants

Catering inquiries confirmed and routed instead of lost mid-service.

Auto replyEvent detailsStaff ping
🚗Auto

Vehicle inquiry answered in a minute, test drive booked without phone tag.

Instant replyTest driveReminders
🛒E-commerce

Cart reminders, order updates and a re-engagement nudge later on.

Cart nudgeOrder updatesWin-back
📱Any business

One inbox for SMS, email, and messages instead of five open tabs.

Shared inboxOne recordNo tabs
📈Any business

Pipeline stages that move themselves as the deal actually progresses.

Auto stagesClear boardNo dragging
📈Any business

Pipeline stages that move themselves as the deal actually progresses.

Auto stagesClear boardNo dragging
📱Any business

One inbox for SMS, email, and messages instead of five open tabs.

Shared inboxOne recordNo tabs
🛒E-commerce

Cart reminders, order updates and a re-engagement nudge later on.

Cart nudgeOrder updatesWin-back
🚗Auto

Vehicle inquiry answered in a minute, test drive booked without phone tag.

Instant replyTest driveReminders
🍴Restaurants

Catering inquiries confirmed and routed instead of lost mid-service.

Auto replyEvent detailsStaff ping
🏢Agencies

Every source lands in one pipeline with the same follow-up for everyone.

Lead routingRep alertPipeline
🎯Coaches

Lead magnet delivered instantly, then a teaching sequence that earns the call.

Instant deliveryNurtureCall booked
🏋Fitness

Trial offer, reminder, and a follow-up that opens the membership conversation.

Welcome SMSTrial bookedPost-session
Law firms

Intake form fills the record and routes the matter to the right person.

Intake formRoutingConsult booked
🦷Dental & medical

Booking link, confirmation and two reminders with no staff time.

Booking link24h reminder1h reminder
🛠Home services

Missed call sends an automatic text back with a booking link attached.

Missed call textQuote visitFollow-up
🏠Real estate

Inquiry answered by SMS in seconds, viewing booked from the agent’s calendar.

Instant SMSAgent alertReminders
📈Any business

Pipeline stages that move themselves as the deal actually progresses.

Auto stagesClear boardNo dragging
📱Any business

One inbox for SMS, email, and messages instead of five open tabs.

Shared inboxOne recordNo tabs
🛒E-commerce

Cart reminders, order updates and a re-engagement nudge later on.

Cart nudgeOrder updatesWin-back
🚗Auto

Vehicle inquiry answered in a minute, test drive booked without phone tag.

Instant replyTest driveReminders
🍴Restaurants

Catering inquiries confirmed and routed instead of lost mid-service.

Auto replyEvent detailsStaff ping
🏢Agencies

Every source lands in one pipeline with the same follow-up for everyone.

Lead routingRep alertPipeline
🎯Coaches

Lead magnet delivered instantly, then a teaching sequence that earns the call.

Instant deliveryNurtureCall booked
🏋Fitness

Trial offer, reminder, and a follow-up that opens the membership conversation.

Welcome SMSTrial bookedPost-session
Law firms

Intake form fills the record and routes the matter to the right person.

Intake formRoutingConsult booked
🦷Dental & medical

Booking link, confirmation and two reminders with no staff time.

Booking link24h reminder1h reminder
🛠Home services

Missed call sends an automatic text back with a booking link attached.

Missed call textQuote visitFollow-up
🏠Real estate

Inquiry answered by SMS in seconds, viewing booked from the agent’s calendar.

Instant SMSAgent alertReminders

Are you losing leads without realising it?

It rarely feels like a problem in the moment. It looks like an ordinary busy week.

Someone sends an inquiry at 2pm. Nobody sees it until the evening. It slips down the inbox. Two days later, someone follows up manually. The appointment never gets booked. The opportunity quietly disappears — and nothing in your business flags it.

Slow follow-up

Most people go with whoever answers first. A reply an hour later is often a reply to someone who has already booked elsewhere.

📞

Missed calls

You were on a job, in a meeting or with a customer. The caller didn’t leave a voicemail — they called the next business on the list.

📅

Missed appointments

The booking happened, the reminder didn’t. An empty slot costs the same as a busy one.

📋

Disorganised leads

Some in your inbox, some in your phone, some on a notepad. No single place shows who still needs a reply.

🔁

Repetitive manual tasks

The same message, the same reminder, the same copy-paste — several times a day, every day.

Imagine your follow-up running automatically.

Same leads, same business — the difference is that the repetitive part no longer waits for someone to remember it.

The same journey, handled by a workflow

  • Lead enters
  • Contact created
  • Instant response
  • Follow-up sequence
  • Appointment booking
  • Reminder
  • Pipeline update

It runs at the same speed at 2am

A workflow doesn’t get busy, forget, or go on holiday. Every lead gets the same first response.

People handle the conversations

Automation can take the repetitive messages and admin steps, so your time goes to quotes, calls and the actual work.

You can see what happened

Every message, booking and stage change sits on one record — which makes it much easier to spot where things stall.

What can you actually automate?

Six building blocks. Almost every workflow in this playbook is made of some combination of them.

⚙️

Lead capture

Forms, chat widgets and ad leads all land in one place as a contact record, so nothing depends on someone copying details across.

📲

SMS & email follow-up

A first reply can go out in seconds, then a planned series of check-ins that stops the moment the person replies.

📅

Appointment booking

People pick a time from your live calendar. No back-and-forth, no double bookings, no ‘does Tuesday work?’

🤖

Workflow automation

If this happens, do that. Tag the lead, send the message, wait a day, notify the right person — in whatever order fits your process.

📈

Pipeline management

A simple board showing every deal and what stage it’s at, updated by the workflow instead of by hand.

🔔

Reminders & notifications

Customers get appointment reminders. Your team gets an alert when something needs a human. Both without anyone remembering to send them.

One connected business system

What is GoHighLevel?

One platform designed to turn scattered customer activity into a clear, connected journey.

From first inquiry to booked appointment—without the disconnected tools.

GoHighLevel brings your contacts, conversations, calendars, pages, pipelines and automation into one organized workspace. A lead can arrive, receive a fast response, book a time and move through your process without your team copying information from one app to another.

Because every step shares the same customer record, your follow-up feels consistent, your team can see what happened, and the next action is easier to automate.

One workspace can connect

  • CRM
  • Lead management
  • Communication
  • Funnels
  • Websites
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Automation
  • Workflows
  • Pipelines

A customer journey that keeps moving

  • Contact
  • Message
  • Booking
  • Workflow
  • Pipeline

Who is this for?

If leads come in and appointments need to happen, the same building blocks apply — only the wording changes.

🏠

Small business owners

You are the sales team, the admin team and the delivery team. Automation can take the part that’s just repetition.

🏢

Agencies

One pipeline for every lead source, and a follow-up process that works the same whoever is on duty.

🛠

Service businesses

Missed calls get a text back, quotes get followed up, and appointment windows get confirmed.

🎯

Coaches & consultants

Deliver the free resource instantly, teach for a few days, and let people book the call themselves.

🏋

Fitness businesses

Turn inquiries into trial sessions, then follow up afterwards while the session is still fresh.

🚗

Auto dealerships

Answer vehicle inquiries in minutes and get test drives on the calendar without phone tag.

🏚

Real estate

Respond to property inquiries instantly and keep older leads warm instead of losing them.

🛒

E-commerce

Cart reminders, order communication and a nudge to past customers who haven’t been back.

See what you can automate

Different businesses have different problems. Explore practical workflow examples built around common business bottlenecks — with the actual triggers and actions behind each one.

Real estate

Property Inquiry Follow-Up

Agents, brokerages, property managers

Common problems

  • New inquiries aren’t followed up quickly
  • Older leads are forgotten
  • Appointment reminders are sent by hand
  • Leads sit in portals, email and text at the same time

The workflow

  • New property inquiry
  • Contact created
  • Instant SMS + email
  • Assign lead
  • Follow-up sequence
  • Viewing booked
  • Appointment reminder
  • Pipeline updated

What gets automated

  • Contact creation and tagging
  • Instant SMS and email reply
  • Agent notification
  • Follow-up tasks
  • Continued follow-up when there’s no response
  • Appointment reminders
  • Pipeline updates

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Conversations
  • Calendar
  • Pipeline
  • Forms
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerForm submitted — “Property Inquiry”Fires the moment someone submits the inquiry form on a listing page, a funnel, or a Facebook lead ad.
  • ActionCreate or update the contactName, phone, email and the property they asked about land on one record instead of a separate inbox.
  • ActionAdd tag: Real Estate Lead + listing tagTags let you filter later — buyers vs sellers, or everyone who asked about one property.
  • ActionSend SMS within seconds“Hi {{contact.first_name}}, thanks for asking about — are you hoping to view it this week?”
  • ActionSend email with listing detailsPhotos, price and a link to the agent’s booking calendar.
  • NotifyNotify the assigned agentInternal SMS and email so the agent knows a live lead just came in.
  • WaitWait 1 hourGives the lead room to reply before anything else goes out.
  • If / elseIf no reply → continue the follow-upLeads who reply exit the sequence automatically. Everyone else gets a day 1, day 3 and day 7 check-in.
  • ActionCreate a call task for the agentOn day 2 if there’s still no answer, so a human steps in at the right moment.
  • TriggerAppointment booked on the calendarA second workflow picks up when the viewing is scheduled.
  • ActionSend confirmation, then remindersConfirmation right away, reminders 24 hours and 1 hour before the viewing.
  • UpdateMove the pipeline stage to Viewing BookedThe board reflects reality without anyone dragging cards around.
Explore GoHighLevel →
Dental / medical practice

Appointment Communication

Clinics, dental offices, private practices

Common problems

  • Appointment requests get missed
  • Patients forget their appointments
  • Staff send every reminder manually
  • Inquiry follow-up depends on who’s free

The workflow

  • New inquiry
  • Instant response
  • Appointment link
  • Booking
  • Confirmation
  • Reminder
  • Appointment
  • Post-visit follow-up

What gets automated

  • Acknowledgement of the inquiry
  • Booking link delivery
  • Front-desk notifications
  • Appointment confirmations and reminders
  • Administrative post-visit follow-up

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Calendar
  • Conversations
  • Forms
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerNew inquiry — form, chat widget or missed callWhichever channel it arrives on, it enters the same workflow.
  • ActionCreate the contact and tag the inquiry typeNew patient, existing patient, or general question.
  • ActionSend an acknowledgement right away“Thanks for reaching out — here’s a link to our available times.” Scheduling only, no clinical content.
  • ActionSend the booking linkPoints at a calendar with the right appointment length and buffer already set.
  • WaitWait 2 hoursRoom to book before a nudge goes out.
  • If / elseIf not booked → send one reminderIf they did book, they skip to the confirmation branch instead.
  • TriggerAppointment scheduledStarts the confirmation and reminder branch.
  • ActionSend confirmation with date, time and addressPlus what to bring and how to reschedule.
  • WaitWait until 24 hours before the appointmentTiming is anchored to the appointment, not the booking date.
  • ActionSend the 24-hour reminderWith a one-tap confirm or reschedule option.
  • ActionSend the 1-hour reminderShort SMS with parking or check-in details.
  • NotifyNotify the front desk on a reschedule requestStaff only get pinged when a human decision is needed.
  • WaitWait 1 day after the visitPost-visit branch.
  • ActionSend an administrative follow-upBooking the next check-up and a review request — nothing clinical.

This example covers scheduling and communication only. It is not clinical guidance, and any practice sending patient information needs to confirm the right privacy and compliance setup for its own region first.

Explore GoHighLevel →
Home services

Missed Call Text Back

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, cleaning, landscaping, roofing

Common problems

  • Calls come in while the crew is on a job
  • Leads never get called back
  • Quote requests sit unanswered
  • Customers forget the appointment window

The workflow

  • Missed call
  • Automatic text
  • Customer replies
  • Lead created
  • Quote appointment
  • Reminder
  • Job booked
  • Follow-up

What gets automated

  • “Sorry we missed your call” text
  • Booking link delivery
  • Contact creation
  • Owner notification
  • Follow-up when there’s no response
  • Appointment reminders

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • Missed Call Text Back
  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Calendar
  • Conversations
  • Pipeline
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerCall status = missed, no voicemailFires within seconds of the phone going unanswered.
  • If / elseIf it’s a first-time number → new lead branchExisting customers get a different message than brand-new callers.
  • ActionText back automatically“Sorry we missed your call — this is at Pro Skills Digital Students Play Ground. What do you need help with? I can text you a quote time.”
  • ActionCreate or update the contactThe number is captured even if they never call back.
  • NotifyNotify the owner or dispatcherSo an urgent job can be picked up by a human immediately.
  • WaitWait 15 minutesMost people reply inside this window.
  • If / elseIf they replied → move to the quote branchThe conversation continues in one shared inbox, on the phone or the desktop.
  • ActionSend the booking link for a quote visitThe calendar only shows slots the crew can actually make.
  • ActionSend reminders before the visit24-hour and 1-hour reminders with the arrival window.
  • UpdateMove the job to Quote Sent, then Job BookedThe pipeline mirrors the real stages of the job.
  • WaitWait 2 days after the quoteSilent quotes are where most of the money leaks.
  • If / elseIf no decision → send a check-inOne friendly follow-up, then the lead moves to a long-term nurture list.
Explore GoHighLevel →
Law firm

Consultation Intake

Solo attorneys and small firms

Common problems

  • New inquiries aren’t organised in one place
  • Intake details are collected by hand
  • Follow-up depends on who remembers
  • Booking a consultation takes several messages

The workflow

  • New inquiry
  • Intake form
  • Contact created
  • Staff notification
  • Consultation booking
  • Reminders
  • Pipeline update

What gets automated

  • Intake capture
  • Contact creation and tagging
  • Staff notification
  • Booking link delivery
  • Consultation reminders
  • Pipeline stage updates

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • Forms
  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Calendar
  • Pipeline
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerIntake form submittedMatter type, preferred contact method and a short description of the situation.
  • ActionCreate the contact and store the intake answersEverything an attorney needs to review sits on one record.
  • ActionTag by matter typeFamily, injury, estate, business — whatever categories the firm already uses.
  • NotifyNotify the intake coordinatorRouted to the right person based on the matter-type tag.
  • ActionSend a confirmation to the enquirerConfirms receipt and sets expectations on when someone will be in touch.
  • If / elseIf the matter type is one the firm handles → send the booking linkEverything else routes to a human for review rather than auto-scheduling.
  • ActionSend the consultation booking linkConsultation length and fee details already set on the calendar.
  • WaitWait 1 dayBefore any nudge.
  • If / elseIf not booked → send one reminderThen the record waits for a staff decision instead of looping forever.
  • ActionSend reminders before the consultation24-hour and 1-hour reminders, plus any documents to prepare.
  • UpdateMove the pipeline stageInquiry → Consultation Booked → Retained, or whatever stages the firm uses.

This handles intake logistics and scheduling. Automation does not assess a case, determine eligibility or give legal advice — an attorney still reviews every inquiry.

Explore GoHighLevel →
Fitness / personal training

Trial Session Conversion

Studios, gyms, coaches, trainers

Common problems

  • People inquire but never book the trial
  • Trial follow-up happens only when there’s time
  • Session reminders are inconsistent
  • Old leads are never contacted again

The workflow

  • New lead
  • Welcome message
  • Trial session offer
  • Booking link
  • Reminders
  • Session
  • Follow-up
  • Membership conversation

What gets automated

  • Welcome SMS and email
  • Trial booking link
  • Session reminders
  • Trainer notifications
  • Post-session follow-up
  • Long-term nurture for leads who don’t join yet

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Conversations
  • Calendar
  • Pipeline
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerNew lead from an ad, walk-in form or DMOne entry point for every source.
  • ActionAdd to the CRM and tag the goalWeight loss, strength, rehab — this shapes what you send next.
  • ActionSend a welcome SMS in under a minute“Hey {{contact.first_name}}! Want to come in for a free intro session this week?”
  • ActionSend the trial booking linkShows only the slots that trainer actually has open.
  • WaitWait 4 hoursThen one nudge if they haven’t booked.
  • If / elseIf booked → reminder branch. If not → nurture branchTwo clean paths instead of one blunt sequence.
  • ActionSend session reminders24 hours and 2 hours before, with what to bring.
  • NotifyNotify the trainer the morning ofName, goal, and whether it’s their first session.
  • WaitWait 3 hours after the sessionWhile it’s still fresh.
  • ActionSend the post-session follow-upAsks how it felt and opens the membership conversation.
  • If / elseIf no purchase → long-term nurtureA monthly check-in instead of the lead disappearing forever.
Explore GoHighLevel →
Coach / consultant

Lead Magnet to Discovery Call

Business coaches, consultants, course creators

Common problems

  • Discovery calls don’t get booked
  • Most leads need several touches before replying
  • Email sequences are sent manually
  • Interested prospects fall through the cracks

The workflow

  • Lead magnet
  • Email capture
  • Welcome email
  • Educational follow-up
  • Discovery call CTA
  • Booking
  • Reminders
  • Pipeline update

What gets automated

  • Lead magnet delivery
  • Welcome email
  • Educational follow-up sequence
  • Discovery call invitation
  • Call reminders
  • Pipeline stage updates

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • Forms
  • CRM
  • Email
  • Workflows
  • Calendar
  • Pipeline
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerOpt-in form submitted on the lead magnet pageFirst name and email only — short forms convert better.
  • ActionDeliver the resource instantlyEmail with the download link, sent within seconds of the opt-in.
  • ActionTag the lead sourceWhich magnet, which platform, which campaign — so you can see what actually works.
  • WaitWait 1 daySpace between the delivery and the teaching.
  • ActionSend educational email 1Teach one idea. No pitch.
  • WaitWait 2 daysKeeps the rhythm predictable.
  • ActionSend educational email 2 with a soft call CTAThe invitation shows up after the value does.
  • If / elseIf a link was clicked → tag as engagedEngaged leads get the call offer sooner; everyone else keeps learning.
  • ActionSend the discovery call booking linkA calendar with a qualifying question or two attached.
  • ActionSend reminders before the call24-hour and 1-hour reminders reduce no-shows.
  • UpdateMove the pipeline stageLead → Engaged → Call Booked → Proposal.
Explore GoHighLevel →
Marketing agency

Multi-Source Lead Routing

Agencies and freelancers

Common problems

  • Leads arrive from ads, referrals, DMs and forms
  • Assigning leads is a manual job
  • Every team member follows up differently
  • It’s hard to see where deals actually stand

The workflow

  • Lead source
  • CRM
  • Lead qualification
  • Automatic follow-up
  • Appointment
  • Pipeline
  • Sales notification

What gets automated

  • Lead routing from every source
  • Source tagging
  • Qualification questions
  • Rep assignment and notification
  • A standard follow-up sequence
  • Pipeline stage updates

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Forms
  • Calendar
  • Pipeline
  • Conversations
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerLead enters from any sourceFacebook lead ad, website form, chat widget, or a manually added referral.
  • ActionCreate the contact and tag the sourceSource tags are what let you compare channels later.
  • ActionSend an instant acknowledgementSets expectations and buys you time.
  • If / elseIf the budget or service answers meet your criteria → fast-trackQualified leads get the calendar link immediately; the rest get a nurture sequence.
  • ActionAssign the lead to a repRound-robin, or by service line.
  • NotifyNotify the assigned repInternal SMS with the lead’s answers attached.
  • ActionRun the standard follow-up sequenceThe same five touches for everyone, so follow-up quality doesn’t depend on who’s having a busy week.
  • ActionSend the discovery call linkBooking straight into the rep’s calendar.
  • WaitWait 3 days after the callProposal branch.
  • If / elseIf no decision → send a check-inTwo nudges, then the lead moves to long-term nurture.
  • UpdateUpdate the pipeline at every stageOne board shows where every deal actually is.

Agencies can turn this into a repeatable internal system, and the same approach can be adapted for client builds. What that’s worth depends entirely on your own offer, pricing and delivery.

Explore GoHighLevel →
Restaurant

Catering & Event Inquiries

Catering, private events, group bookings

Common problems

  • Catering inquiries arrive mid-service and get lost
  • Event questions wait until someone is free
  • Requests come through four different channels
  • Customers never hear back

The workflow

  • Catering / event inquiry
  • Contact created
  • Automatic response
  • Inquiry details
  • Staff notification
  • Follow-up
  • Booking / consultation

What gets automated

  • Instant acknowledgement
  • Detail collection
  • Contact creation
  • Staff notification
  • Follow-up when nobody has replied
  • Booking reminders

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • Forms
  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Conversations
  • Calendar
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerCatering or private event form submittedAlso fires from a DM or a missed call routed into the same workflow.
  • ActionSend an instant acknowledgement“Thanks! We’ve got your request — our events manager will confirm availability shortly.”
  • ActionCollect the details through a short formDate, headcount, budget range, dietary needs.
  • ActionCreate the contact and tag the event typeCatering, private dining, or large party.
  • NotifyNotify the events managerWith the date and headcount in the notification itself, so it can be triaged from a phone.
  • WaitWait 1 dayBefore the system nudges anyone.
  • If / elseIf no staff reply → re-notifyA second internal ping so inquiries don’t die during a busy weekend.
  • ActionSend the consultation or tasting booking linkOnly if the date is still open.
  • ActionSend reminders before the eventConfirmation of final headcount and timings.
Explore GoHighLevel →
Auto dealership

Vehicle Inquiry to Test Drive

Dealerships and independent lots

Common problems

  • Online vehicle inquiries sit in an inbox
  • Sales follow-up slows down when the floor is busy
  • Test drives take several calls to schedule
  • Interested buyers aren’t contacted consistently

The workflow

  • Vehicle inquiry
  • Instant response
  • Vehicle details
  • Sales rep notification
  • Test drive booking
  • Reminders
  • Follow-up

What gets automated

  • Instant reply to online inquiries
  • Vehicle details delivery
  • Sales rep notification
  • Test-drive booking link
  • Appointment reminders
  • Consistent follow-up with quiet buyers

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Calendar
  • Pipeline
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerInquiry on a vehicle listingFrom the website, a marketplace listing, or a lead ad.
  • ActionCreate the contact and tag the vehicle of interestStock number, make and model attached to the record.
  • ActionSend an SMS within a minute“Hi {{contact.first_name}}, the is still available — want to take it out for a drive this week?”
  • ActionEmail the vehicle detailsPhotos, mileage, financing options, and the test-drive booking link.
  • NotifyNotify the assigned sales repSpeed to first contact is the whole game here.
  • WaitWait 2 hoursThen a second touch if there’s no reply.
  • If / elseIf no reply → follow-up sequenceDay 1, day 3, day 7, then a monthly check-in.
  • ActionSend test-drive confirmation and remindersPlus what to bring — licence and proof of insurance.
  • UpdateUpdate the pipeline stageInquiry → Test Drive Booked → Negotiation → Sold.
  • WaitWait 3 days after the test drivePost-visit branch.
  • ActionSend a follow-up to undecided buyersOne message, then long-term nurture rather than silence.
Explore GoHighLevel →
E-commerce

Cart Recovery & Re-engagement

Online stores and DTC brands

Common problems

  • Carts are abandoned without a nudge
  • Customer questions go unanswered
  • Order follow-up is inconsistent
  • Past customers are never re-engaged

The workflow

  • Customer activity
  • Contact / CRM
  • Automated message
  • Follow-up
  • Purchase
  • Post-purchase communication
  • Re-engagement

What gets automated

  • Contact capture from store activity
  • Cart reminder messages
  • Common question replies
  • Post-purchase communication
  • Re-engagement of past customers

Suggested GoHighLevel features

  • CRM
  • Workflows
  • Email
  • SMS
  • Conversations
View the real GHL workflow build
  • TriggerCustomer activity capturedA checkout started, a form filled, or a question sent through chat — depending on what your store can actually pass through.
  • ActionCreate or update the contactSo the same person isn’t three separate records.
  • WaitWait 1 hourLong enough that a genuine distraction isn’t treated as abandonment.
  • If / elseIf no purchase → reminder branchBuyers skip straight to the post-purchase branch.
  • ActionSend a reminder messageShort, helpful, answering the objection rather than shouting a discount.
  • WaitWait 1 dayBefore the second and final reminder.
  • ActionAnswer common questions automaticallyShipping times, returns and sizing handled in the shared inbox.
  • ActionSend post-purchase communicationOrder confirmation, delivery expectations, and how to get help.
  • WaitWait 30 daysRe-engagement branch.
  • ActionSend a re-engagement messageA check-in, a restock reminder, or a refill prompt depending on the product.

What can actually trigger here depends on how your store connects to your CRM. Confirm which integrations your specific platform and plan support before building this one.

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What’s your biggest business bottleneck?

Choose the problem that sounds most familiar and see the workflow built for it.

Pick a bottleneck above and the matching workflow appears here — including the trigger and every action behind it.

The simple automation formula

Every workflow in this playbook — and almost every workflow you’ll ever build — is made of these same parts in different orders.

  • Trigger
  • Condition
  • Action
  • Wait
  • Action
  • Notification
  • Pipeline update

Trigger

The event that starts everything — a form submitted, a call missed, an appointment booked.

Condition

A question the workflow asks before continuing: is this a new customer? Did they reply yet?

Action

The thing that happens: send an SMS, add a tag, create a task, send a booking link.

Wait

A deliberate pause. An hour, a day, or until 24 hours before an appointment.

Notification

The moment a human needs to know something — usually your team, not the customer.

Pipeline update

The stage changes so your board reflects what actually happened.

How this actually gets built depends on your own business process and configuration. The shape stays the same; the details are yours.

Stop doing everything manually.

You don’t need to automate everything overnight. Start with the repetitive tasks that eat the most time, or the ones causing leads to fall through the cracks.

Find the bottleneck

Where do leads stall? What do you do more than five times a week? That’s your first workflow — not the most impressive one, the most repeated one.

Build the workflow

Write down the trigger, the actions, and the timing on one page before you touch any software. Most failed automations are unclear processes, not technical problems.

Automate the repetitive work

Turn it on, watch it for a week, fix the wording, then build the next one. One workflow at a time beats a rebuild you never finish.

Get the complete Business Automation Playbook

Practical workflow examples for ten industries and the business problems behind them — with the triggers, actions and timing written out.

  • 10 industry workflows you can adapt
  • The exact trigger and actions for each one
  • Written for people who don’t build software

No spam. Just practical automation education.