If I Had to Start My HighLevel Agency From Scratch Today...

Over the past few years, I’ve been deep in the trenches with GoHighLevel — setting up, scaling, and eventually selling my own agency. I've seen the platform evolve, witnessed agency owners crush it (and crash hard), and made more mistakes than I care to admit. So today, I’m pulling back the curtain.

If I were to start my HighLevel agency from scratch today — with everything I know now — here’s what I’d do differently, what I’d double down on, and what I’d leave in the dust.

🧠 Automations: Start with What Moves the Needle

First up, automations. When I started, I got distracted by fancy sequences and overly complicated logic paths. If I could go back, I’d simplify everything and focus on:

• A solid new client onboarding sequence (welcome emails, internal tasks, snapshot install, done).

• A missed-call text back automation. It still blows my mind how many people skip this — it's like ignoring free money.

• Reactivation campaigns to wake up dead leads and clients who’ve ghosted.

The goal? Build automations that buy back your time and make your agency feel polished — not overwhelmed.

🛠 Apps: Keep Clients Engaged (and Keep Yourself Sane)

There are some apps I wouldn’t launch without today — the unsung heroes of daily agency life.

• Number Tool – Simple, but essential. Makes tracking lead flow and routing calls/texts a breeze.

• QR Code Generator – Surprisingly handy, especially for clients running local events or promotions.

• Client Onboarding Tracker – Whether it’s a checklist, dashboard, or full-blown course module, you need something to guide clients through the early days.

And then, of course... the AI playground. I’m constantly trying out new tools — whether it’s an AI bot that gently nags clients to leave a video review, or a content assistant that drafts emails before I’ve even caffeinated. Some stick. Some don’t. But if it helps reduce manual effort or creates a smoother client experience? I’m in.

📦 Snapshots: One Killer Base Template

Let’s talk about snapshots.

My advice? Start with one high-quality, versatile snapshot — and know it inside out. For me, that’s the Ultimate Small Business Snapshot — and no, that’s not just a shameless plug (okay, maybe a little). It’s the kind of setup that works for almost any service-based business and is easy to tweak for niche markets.

Don’t get caught in the trap of hoarding 17 snapshots you never use. Pick one, master it, improve it, and scale with it.

👋 Outsourcing: Support Goes First

If you’re a solo founder or building a small team, you’ve got to be ruthless with your time. The first thing I’d outsource today?

Support.

Yes, even before funnels or calendar management. Why? Because answering “How do I log in again?” ten times a day is a vibe-killer. Get someone (or something — shoutout to AI support bots) in place to handle:

• Basic tech support

• Common GHL questions

• Task-based work you shouldn’t be touching

Even a few hours of outsourced support per week can change the game and give you back the headspace you need to grow.

🚫 What I'd Skip Entirely

This one’s easy: branding fluff too early.

I wasted so much time fiddling with logos, themes, and colour palettes before I even had paying clients. You don’t need the perfect brand on day one — you need a result for your first client.

Your agency’s brand will evolve. Focus on delivering value and building momentum. Then, when you’ve got revenue and testimonials, give the brand a proper glow-up.

🤖 What’s Changed With AI

Starting today, I’d bake AI into every layer of the agency — content creation, support, automation, you name it.

AI isn’t here to replace your expertise — it’s here to amplify it. From AI assistants that write sales pages, to agents that monitor inboxes and follow up, the tools available now are miles ahead of what we had even a year ago.

Try new tools often. Keep the ones that save time or improve results. And remember: AI is only as good as the workflow behind it.

🧱 Foundation Before Flash

If there’s a single theme to all of this, it’s this:

Lay a strong, simple foundation before you chase shiny objects.

Yes, HighLevel can do everything. But your agency doesn’t have to — not on day one. Start with services you can deliver consistently. Automate what you can. Delegate what you shouldn’t be doing. And stay focused on the parts of the business that drive revenue and build trust.

💬 Final Thoughts: Learn from the Rest of the Room

One of the best resources you’ll ever have? The community.

That’s why I created the HighLevel Hangout — a space for agency owners to swap shortcuts, share lessons learned, and crowdsource smart strategies like this one.

Whether you’re brand new or scaling fast, your experience can help someone else — and vice versa. So hop into the comments and tell me:

👉 What would your ideal setup look like if you had to start again from scratch?