GHL tips from Mike Wayne

1. Don’t build inside GHL first.

Write out your ideal system outcome in plain English — as if you were delegating to a junior tech.

You don’t have a tech problem. You have a clarity problem.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Act as a systems strategist. Based on my [client type] and offer, outline the exact automation sequence GHL should run from lead capture to follow-up.”

2. Always build in this order:

→ Forms

→ Funnels

→ Emails

→ Workflows

→ Social

(F.F.E.W.S.)

Most confusion comes from skipping ahead before your inputs are clean.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Based on my [use case], map out the F.F.E.W.S. structure — what Form, Funnel, Emails, Workflow, and Social assets I need to go live.”

3. Don’t learn GHL by browsing features.

Search based on what you want done.

The difference between “how do I use calendars” and “how do I auto-confirm appointments with SMS reminders” is hours of wasted time.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Translate this outcome — [describe what I want done] — into a GHL setup plan with steps and feature references. Research mode ON.”

4. Your first funnel should be ugly but functional.

No timers, no overlays, no animation.

Just: headline → benefit → form.

Speed beats pretty.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Write a high-converting one-page funnel for [audience] offering [lead magnet or service], with a short form and clean layout. No fluff. Focus on clarity.”

5. Most beginners overbuild Workflows.

Start with 2 steps:

→ Form submitted

→ Send email & SMS

If that doesn’t fire, nothing else will either.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Create a simple test Workflow for GHL that triggers when a form is submitted and sends an email + SMS. Label each step clearly so I can confirm it’s working.”

6. Migrating from another platform?

Don’t rebuild — rethink.

Most CRMs carry clutter. Use GHL to streamline, not duplicate.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Help me re-architect my funnel and follow-up using only native GHL tools — not recreate it 1:1 from [insert old tool like Kajabi, ClickFunnels, etc.].”

7. GHL quirks are real.

Sometimes it’s the browser.

Sometimes it’s a setting 4 tabs deep.

If something breaks, test in Incognito, clear cache, and recheck logic before rage-posting.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“I’m getting unexpected results in [calendar, form, or automation]. Walk me through a technical sanity check, including common overlooked settings. Research mode ON.”

8. Tag everything.

→ Lead source

→ Funnel name

→ Offer intent

Your CRM is only as useful as your tagging discipline.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Create a tagging system for my GHL CRM that tracks source, funnel, and product interest for [niche or offer type]. Include examples I can copy-paste.”

9. Before reaching for Zapier, ask:

“Can GHL do this natively?”

9 times out of 10, it can — cleaner, cheaper, and faster.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“List out how to do [desired integration or automation] natively inside GHL without Zapier. Only suggest Zapier if absolutely necessary.”

10. The first 7-30 days feel like chaos.

That’s normal.

You’re learning a platform that can run your entire business. Stick with it. The payoff is permanent.

(Attached proof of sub-accounts)

1. Your onboarding is your retention.

No fancy funnel will fix a client who doesn’t know how to use the system they’re paying for.

Live 1:1 onboarding sessions work better than endless knowledgebase links — even if it’s just one at the start.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Write a 7-day onboarding email and SMS sequence for new SaaS clients using GHL — include links to training, feature highlights, success milestones, and an option to book a 1:1 onboarding call.”

2. Offer setup > offer access.

Giving someone a login isn’t the same as setting them up.

If they don’t get momentum in the first week, expect churn in 30 days.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Create a GHL onboarding checklist for new sub-accounts — include calendar setup, form connections, funnel link, and automation triggers.”

3. Confusing billing pages kill conversions.

Too many offers, too many tiers — they’ll ghost.

One plan with 2 upsells > five plans with a calculator.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Design a simple pricing page with 1 core offer and 2 logical add-ons — include Stripe + GHL checkout flow.”

4. Every new client needs 3 live assets in week one.

→ A working form

→ A published funnel

→ A live workflow

No output = no feedback = no retention.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Create a ‘Week 1 Launch Plan’ for new sub-accounts inside GHL — checklist format with one working snapshot (i.e., book a call funnel, lead magnet funnel, or paid offer funnel).”

5. You need weekly or biweekly live trainings.

Clients don’t read the KB. They don’t want to “open a ticket.”

They want a live checkpoint — even if they don’t show up.

It anchors your value.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Build a live support cadence for my SaaS — outline the ideal schedule, topics, and invite reminders using GHL email + SMS.”

6. You need 1–3 signature snapshots that make your SaaS unique.

Nobody sticks around for raw GHL out-of-the-box.

Retention comes from your system, not just the software.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Help me design 1–3 signature GHL snapshots based on my niche or SaaS offer — include which features, funnels, and automations should be preloaded.”

7. Skip custom-coded emails AND funnels unless you’re doing all the support. 

No CSS. No JS. No fancy hacks. Drag-and-drop > breakdown-prone code your clients can’t fix.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“[Upload Screenshot] How do I Convert this funnel and/or HTML email to a drag-and-drop GHL format that’s editable by non-tech clients. Prioritize mobile layout and clarity.”

8. Audit logs are your best defense.

If a client says “it didn’t send,” check the logs.

It’ll show if it fired, failed, bounced, or hit Twilio’s spam wall.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Walk me through how to use GHL logs to diagnose failed or missing emails and SMS — include steps for client-facing screenshots.”

9. Most ‘support’ problems are training problems.

Fixing it once isn’t enough.

1. → Record a Loom
2. → Upload it to your KB
3. → Tag it
4. → Train a support CustomGPT on it

That’s support that scales.

GPT‑4o Prompt:

“Build a reusable GHL support email template with Loom placeholders, quick links, and troubleshooting language I can delegate.”

Also:

“Help me create a whitelabeled GHL support CustomGPT trained on my own SOPs, Looms, and client FAQs.”

10. You don’t need to automate everything.

You just need to make sure the right 4 things always work:

1. → Lead capture
2. → Follow-up
3. → Billing
4. → Client Onboarding & Service

Everything else is bonus.

Once again, Proof of Sales Attached