If you’ve ever opened your brand-new HighLevel account and thought:
“Uhh… what do I even do first?”
You’re not alone. Getting your agency off the ground with HighLevel isn’t hard—but without a proper setup, it’s easy to hit a wall fast.
That’s why we recently hosted a super hands-on Zoom training with our Head of Partnerships, Mario Aldayuz, to walk through the foundational moves every agency should make when starting or scaling inside HighLevel.
Whether you’re brand new or deep in the SaaS game, here’s a breakdown of the golden nuggets Mario shared (plus a few of my own notes 👇).
Start with the Backbone: Agency Configuration
This is your HQ, your cockpit, your command center.
Mess this up and everything else gets messy.
✅ Set up your default settings properly
✅ Connect email + calendar integrations early
✅ Customize your pipeline stages so they match your process
If your config is janky, your whole workflow will feel clunky. Fix this now before it breaks later.
Don’t Let DNS Be Your Downfall
Mario walked through the #1 support ticket issue we see: domain problems.
It’s not glamorous, but DNS setup matters:
⚠️ Wrong CNAME = no funnels
⚠️ Misconfigured email domain = bad deliverability
⚠️ Skipping SSL = trust issues with leads
If you want to avoid hours of frustration and failed forms, get your DNS dialed in early. (Pro tip: Use a tool like DNSChecker or get support from someone who’s done this a hundred times.)
Activate SaaS Mode the Right Way
HighLevel’s SaaS mode is a beast—but only if you tame it.
Mario shared how to:
- Build simple, high-value snapshot offers
- Set up automated billing with Stripe
- Turn your service into a productized platform (hello, MRR!)
Most folks overcomplicate SaaS. You don’t need 17 tiers and a 42-page contract. Start small, prove your value, and let HighLevel do the heavy lifting.
White Label Like a Boss
Want to look pro from day one? Branding is 🔑.
With advanced white labeling, you can:
✅ Use your own domain + email + login URLs
✅ Customize the app experience
✅ Brand the mobile app as your own
Mario showed how this small touch can level up client trust big-time. When your clients log in and see your brand (not HighLevel’s), it’s a game-changer.
Recap: Your Foundation Checklist
Here’s your “don’t skip this” list before you launch:
🗂️ Configure your agency defaults
🌐 Set up domains + email properly
💳 Activate SaaS + billing correctly
🎨 Customize your white label branding
👨🔧 Join the HighLevel community for help: community.ghlcoaches.com
As Mario said:
“Your agency’s success is built on the foundation you set up today.”
Cool Free Thing: My Testimonial Workflow (Trust on Autopilot)
Before you can help clients, you need one thing: trust.
And nothing builds trust faster than real testimonials.
In the spirit of free stuff—I want to give you our plug-and-play Testimonial Workflow. It’s the same one we use at HL Pro Tools to:
✅ Collect testimonials automatically
✅ Turn them into high-converting proof
✅ Drop them into funnels, emails, and sites effortlessly
Ready to Launch Smarter?
At HL Pro Tools, we help HighLevel users skip the guesswork and get results faster—with plug-and-play workflows, strategy, and support that actually makes sense.
👉 Visit gohighlevele.com and let’s build your agency on the right foundation.