How to set up HighLevel for your business
Independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by HighLevel. Features and prices change; check HighLevel's own help center for the latest.
Set up HighLevel in 7 stages: 1) business profile, users and phone number, 2) A2P 10DLC text registration, 3) booking calendar, 4) lead form and one pipeline, 5) missed-call text back and follow-up messages, 6) review requests, 7) lead-source tracking. Most owners can get the core running in one focused day with guidance, then refine over 30 days.
Table of contents
Stage 1: Business profile, users & phone number
What it does: Sets up who you are, who can log in, and the number you'll text and call from.
What you need ready: Your legal business name, address, website, hours, logo, and the team members who need access.
Done when: Your profile is filled in, your team has logins, and you have a phone number assigned.
Stage 2: A2P 10DLC text registration
What it does: Registers your number for business texting in the US so messages actually deliver.
What you need ready: Matching legal business details (name, EIN or tax ID, address), your website, and how people opt in to texts.
Done when: Registration is submitted and approved by the carriers — a waiting period you don't control.
Stage 3: Booking calendar
What it does: Lets leads book time with you directly, with reminders that cut no-shows.
What you need ready: Your service list, how long each takes, your hours, and who takes which bookings.
Done when: A calendar is live, bookings flow to the right person, and reminders are set.
Stage 4: Lead form & one pipeline
What it does: Captures leads and moves them through clear stages so nothing falls through.
What you need ready: The questions you actually need answered, and the stages a lead moves through from new to won.
Done when: A form is published and every new lead lands in a pipeline with a stage and an owner.
Stage 5: Missed-call text back & follow-up messages
What it does: Replies instantly when you miss a call and follows up with leads over the next days automatically.
What you need ready: Your missed-call message wording and a short follow-up sequence (a few messages over 7–14 days).
Done when: A missed call triggers a text, and new leads get a follow-up sequence without anyone doing it by hand.
Stage 6: Review requests
What it does: Asks happy customers for a review at the right moment, growing your reputation.
What you need ready: The review platform you care about and the trigger (e.g. after a job is marked done).
Done when: A review request goes out automatically after a completed job.
Stage 7: Lead-source tracking
What it does: Tells you which channel brought every lead so you know what's working.
What you need ready: Your lead sources (referrals, ads, social, your site) and a way to tag each lead with where it came from.
Done when: Every new lead has a source tag and you can see leads by channel.
Optional next: AI front desk
Once the core is live, an AI front desk can answer questions, book appointments and follow up after hours — using the calendar and pipeline you already built. It's an add-on, not a prerequisite. See the AI front desk guide.
Set it up yourself, with help, or in a day
Three honest paths. Pick by how much of your own time you want to spend and how fast you need it live.
| DIY | 1:1 training | Built Live build day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slowest — your spare hours | Faster — guided sessions | One focused day |
| Who builds it | You | You, with a trainer | You and your team, with an instructor |
| Who owns it | You | You | You |
| Best for | Owners with time and one clear owner | Owners who want guided pace | Owners who want it live fast, with their team |
Setting it up for your industry
The 7 stages are the same for everyone — what changes is the wording, the stages and the messages. Here's the setup angle for your industry.
HighLevel for Real Estate Agents
Answer every lead, follow up, and know your pipeline.
HighLevel for Medical Practices
Front-desk follow-up that keeps clinical details out of texts.
HighLevel for Home Services
Answer fast, book the estimate, follow up until the job.
HighLevel for Salons, Spas, Studios & Gyms
The pillar guide for beauty, wellness and fitness owners.
HighLevel for Hair Salons
Fill chairs, rebook color clients, win back lapsed ones.
HighLevel for Barbershops
Reminders, reviews and win-backs that keep regulars coming back.
HighLevel for Nail Salons
Fill reminders, reviews and follow-up in more than one language.
HighLevel for Lash, Brow & Beauty Studios
Fills, deposits, no-show follow-up and aftercare that earns reviews.
HighLevel for Skincare Studios
Turn a first facial into a treatment plan and a membership.
HighLevel for Hair Removal Studios
Keep laser series on schedule and wax regulars coming back.
HighLevel for Tattoo & Piercing Studios
One inbox for every DM, a pipeline for custom pieces, aftercare.
HighLevel for Med Spas
More consults that book, more clients who come back on schedule.
HighLevel for IV Therapy
Fast replies, memberships and repeat visits for IV therapy.
HighLevel for Wellness Centers
Programs, memberships and leads for wellness centers.
HighLevel for Massage Studios
Fill the schedule, sell memberships and rebook clients.
HighLevel for Day Spas
More bookings, packages and reviews for day spas.
HighLevel for Gyms
More trials, more members, less churn.
HighLevel for Yoga Studios
Intro offers to memberships for yoga studios.
HighLevel for Pilates Studios
Fill reformer classes and turn intros into packs.
My Setup Plan
Your setup order
0/7 doneExample plan based on your inputs. Not a promise of outcome.
Common questions
Set it up in 7 stages: 1) business profile, users and phone number, 2) A2P 10DLC text registration, 3) booking calendar, 4) lead form and one pipeline, 5) missed-call text back and follow-up messages, 6) review requests, 7) lead-source tracking. Most owners can get the core running in one focused day with guidance, then refine over 30 days.
John Bermudez
HighLevel trainer and consultant · Built Live · South Florida
who has taught HighLevel to 50,000+ business owners in 5+ countries over 2.5+ years
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Stuck on something in HighLevel? Ask John.
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