How to Use GoHighLevel to Close SMMA Clients Faster
If you're running an SMMA, you've experienced this frustration: You have a discovery call that goes great, send over a proposal, and then... crickets. Days turn into weeks as prospects go cold, and you're left wondering what went wrong.
The problem isn't your service—it's your sales process. Most SMMA owners lose deals in the gap between "interested prospect" and "signed client." That's where GoHighLevel becomes your secret weapon.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to use GoHighLevel to shorten your sales cycle, automate follow-ups, and close more SMMA clients faster than ever. Let's dive into the strategies that agencies like HMG use to convert prospects consistently.
Why SMMA Sales Cycles Are So Slow (And How to Fix It)
The typical SMMA sales process has multiple friction points:
Prospects request information but never receive timely follow-up
Proposals get lost in email inboxes
You manually chase leads who ghost after the first call
There's no system to nurture warm leads who aren't ready yet
GoHighLevel eliminates these bottlenecks by automating the entire journey from first contact to signed contract. Here's exactly how to set it up.
7 Ways to Use GoHighLevel to Close SMMA Clients Faster
1. Create High-Converting Lead Capture Forms
First impressions matter. Instead of directing prospects to a generic contact form, create branded lead capture pages directly in GoHighLevel that qualify leads automatically.
How to do it:
Use GoHighLevel's form builder to create custom intake forms
Add qualifying questions that filter serious prospects from tire-kickers
Include calendar integration so qualified leads book calls immediately
Set up instant SMS and email confirmations to keep prospects engaged
Pro Tip: HMG and other successful agencies use multi-step forms that feel conversational rather than overwhelming. Break your intake into 2-3 screens to increase completion rates.
2. Automate Instant Follow-Up Sequences
Speed to lead is everything. Research shows that leads contacted within 5 minutes are 21 times more likely to convert compared to those reached after 30 minutes. GoHighLevel makes this effortless.
How to do it:
Build automated workflows that trigger immediately when someone submits a form
Send an instant SMS thanking them and confirming next steps
Follow up with an email containing your calendar link and value-driven content
Schedule additional touchpoints over the next 3-7 days if they don't book
The HMG Approach: Set up a "speed to lead" workflow that sends an immediate text message, then follows with an email 10 minutes later containing case studies. This two-channel approach catches prospects wherever they're most active.
3. Send Interactive Proposals That Get Signed Fast
Static PDF proposals get ignored. GoHighLevel lets you create interactive, trackable proposals that prospects can sign with one click.
How to do it:
Use the proposal builder to create branded, professional proposals
Include video testimonials and case studies directly in the proposal
Add e-signature functionality so clients can sign instantly
Enable payment processing to collect deposits immediately upon signing
Track when prospects view your proposal and set up automated reminders
Why it works: Traditional proposals require prospects to download a PDF, review it, print it, sign it, scan it, and email it back. GoHighLevel reduces this to a single click, eliminating 90% of the friction. Studies show that removing friction from the sales process significantly improves conversion rates.
4. Build Automated Nurture Campaigns for Warm Leads
Not every prospect is ready to buy immediately. Instead of losing these opportunities, put them into automated nurture sequences.
How to do it:
Create segmented pipelines for different lead temperatures (hot, warm, cold)
Build email and SMS sequences that provide value over 30-60 days
Share case studies, industry insights, and social proof automatically
Set up workflows that notify you when leads engage with your content
Move leads between pipelines automatically based on their behavior
HMG Strategy: Create a "not ready yet" pipeline with a monthly check-in sequence. This keeps you top-of-mind without manual effort, and when prospects are ready, you're the first call they make.
5. Use Pipeline Automation to Never Miss a Follow-Up
Deals die in the follow-up. GoHighLevel's visual pipeline ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
How to do it:
Map your entire sales process into pipeline stages (Lead → Discovery → Proposal → Negotiation → Closed)
Set up automatic tasks and reminders when deals sit in a stage too long
Create workflows that automatically move deals forward based on actions
Use pipeline reporting to identify where deals get stuck
Assign team members automatically based on lead source or value
The Result: You'll never wonder "what happened to that prospect from last week?" again. Every lead has clear next actions and automated follow-ups. Research from HubSpot indicates that companies with structured sales pipelines achieve 16% higher win rates than those without organized processes.
6. Create Branded Client Portals for Instant Trust
Professional presentation builds trust. GoHighLevel's white-label client portals make you look like a seven-figure agency even if you're just starting out.
How to do it:
Set up a branded subdomain with your company colors and logo
Create a client portal where prospects can view proposals, contracts, and invoices
Add testimonials and case studies to the portal for social proof
Enable two-way messaging so prospects can ask questions instantly
Provide self-service scheduling for follow-up calls
Why agencies like HMG use this: A professional client portal immediately differentiates you from competitors sending Google Docs and Zoom links. It positions you as an established, trustworthy partner.
7. Implement Two-Way SMS for Immediate Engagement
Email gets lost. Phone calls get ignored. SMS gets read within 3 minutes.
How to do it:
Enable two-way SMS conversations directly in GoHighLevel
Set up SMS reminders before scheduled discovery calls
Use SMS check-ins after sending proposals ("Did you get a chance to review?")
Create SMS templates for common questions and objections
Automate SMS follow-ups when prospects go dark
The HMG Method: Send a personalized SMS 24 hours after emailing a proposal. Something simple like: "Hey [Name], just checking if you had any questions about the proposal I sent over? Happy to hop on a quick call." This typically gets a response within an hour.
The Complete GoHighLevel Sales Funnel for SMMA Clients
Here's how successful agencies like HMG string these features together into a conversion machine:
Stage 1: Lead Capture
Prospect submits form on your website or landing page
Instant SMS: "Thanks for reaching out! I'm reviewing your info now."
Automated email with calendar link and case study
Stage 2: Discovery Call
Calendar booking triggers confirmation sequence
SMS reminder 24 hours before call
Second SMS reminder 1 hour before call
Call completed → automatic proposal workflow triggers
Stage 3: Proposal
Interactive proposal sent via email and SMS
Tracking shows when prospect views it
Automated follow-up 24 hours later if not signed
Second follow-up at 72 hours with limited-time bonus
Stage 4: Close
E-signature completed → immediate payment link
Deposit collected → onboarding sequence begins
Welcome email with next steps and client portal access
Total time from lead to signed client: 3-5 days instead of 3-5 weeks.
Real Results: How GoHighLevel Accelerates SMMA Sales
When you implement these strategies, here's what changes:
Response time: From hours or days to under 5 minutes
Proposal sign rate: From 15-20% to 40-60%
Sales cycle length: From 3-6 weeks to 3-7 days
Follow-up consistency: From sporadic to 100% systematic
Lead leakage: From 40-50% lost leads to under 10%
Agencies using GoHighLevel report closing 2-3x more clients with the same traffic, simply by eliminating friction and automating follow-up.
Getting Started: Your First 7 Days with GoHighLevel
Ready to accelerate your SMMA sales? Here's your week-one action plan:
Days 1-2: Set up your lead capture forms and connect your calendar Days 3-4: Build your core email and SMS follow-up sequences
Day 5: Create your proposal template with e-signature and payment processing Day 6: Map your sales pipeline and set up automation triggers Day 7: White-label your client portal and test the entire funnel
The setup takes less than a week, but the results compound for years.
FAQ Section
Do I need technical skills to set up GoHighLevel for my SMMA?
Not at all. GoHighLevel is designed for marketers, not developers. The drag-and-drop builders make it easy to create forms, workflows, and automations without coding. Plus, their extensive training library and resources walk you through every feature step-by-step.
Can I use GoHighLevel if I'm a solo SMMA owner?
Absolutely. GoHighLevel is perfect for solo operators because it automates the tasks you'd normally need a team to handle. Many successful one-person agencies use GoHighLevel to compete with much larger competitors by appearing more professional and responsive.
How much time does GoHighLevel actually save in the sales process?
Most SMMA owners report saving 10-15 hours per week on follow-ups, proposal creation, and administrative tasks. More importantly, the automated follow-up systems capture deals you would have otherwise lost. According to CRM industry research, CRM applications can increase sales by up to 29% and sales productivity by up to 34%, making them essential tools for growing agencies.
Conclusion
Closing SMMA clients faster isn't about being pushier or making more cold calls—it's about eliminating friction and staying consistent with follow-up. GoHighLevel gives you the automation infrastructure that successful agencies like HMG rely on to close deals systematically.
The difference between struggling SMMA owners and thriving agencies often comes down to systems. Manual processes create bottlenecks. Automated systems create predictability and scale.
If you're ready to transform your sales process from chaotic and inconsistent to automated and profitable, start your GoHighLevel 14-day free trial here. You'll get full access to every feature mentioned in this guide—forms, workflows, proposals, SMS, client portals, and more.
Stop losing deals to slow follow-up and disorganized processes. Try GoHighLevel free for 14 days and start closing clients faster than you ever thought possible.
