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Opportunities & Pipelines

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines

Step-by-step guide to creating pipelines in GHL Customer Care. Learn how to add stages, manage pipeline settings, and configure dashboard visibility.

3 min read635 words7 explained imagesUpdated Fri, 27 Mar at 7:55 AM
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On this page
  1. Overview
  2. How to Create and Manage Pipelines
  3. Step 1: Access the Pipelines Section
  4. Step 2: Create a New Pipeline
  5. Step 3: Add and Manage Pipeline Stages
  6. Step 4: Customize Stage Colors
  7. Step 4: Delete a Pipeline Stage
  8. Step 5: Configure Pipeline Dashboard Visibility
  9. FAQs
  10. Q: Do I need to create Won and Lost stages manually?
  11. Q: What happens to opportunities if I delete a stage?
  12. Q: Can I rename a pipeline after creating it?
  13. Q: Does the updated Pipelines experience change functionality?
  14. Related Articles

Pipelines in GHL Customer Care help you organize and automate your sales or service workflows by visually tracking opportunities through defined stages. This article explains how to access pipelines, create a new pipeline, add and manage stages, and configure dashboard visibility using the updated Pipelines experience.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview

Pipelines allow you to map each step of a customer journey—from lead capture to closing or onboarding. They power automation, reporting, and opportunity dashboards across the platform.

Updated Pipelines Experience (Labs)
The Pipelines page now uses the HighRise design system for a faster and more intuitive experience.
You can enable this update from Sub-account → Labs.

How to Create and Manage Pipelines

Step 1: Access the Pipelines Section

To access pipelines in your sub-account:

  • Go to your Sub-account

  • Click Opportunities from the left-hand sidebar

  • Select Pipelines from the top navigation menu

Step 1: Access the Pipelines Section (image 1 of 7) What this shows Go to your Sub-account Click Opportunities from the left-hand sidebar Select Pipelines from the top navigation menu What this shows Illustrates the "Step 1: Access the Pipelines Section" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". This screenshot appears in the "Step 1: Access the Pipelines Section" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". The text alongside this image reads: Go to your Sub-account Click Opportunities from the left-hand sidebar Select Pipelines from the top navigation menu. Immediately after, the guide continues: Once you are on the Pipelines page. Image 1 of 7 Where to goGo to your Sub-account Click Opportunities from the left-hand sidebar Select Pipelines from the top navigation menu
Buttons and menus referenced Sub-accountOpportunitiesPipelines
Next stepOnce you are on the Pipelines page:
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Go to your Sub-account
  2. Click Opportunities from the left-hand sidebar
  3. Select Pipelines from the top navigation menu

Step 2: Create a New Pipeline

Once you are on the Pipelines page:

  • Click Create new pipeline in the top-right corner

  • Enter a descriptive Pipeline Name

  • Click Save

Step 2: Create a New Pipeline (image 2 of 7) What this shows Click Create new pipeline in the top-right corner Enter a descriptive Pipeline Name Click Save What this shows Illustrates the "Step 2: Create a New Pipeline" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". This screenshot appears in the "Step 2: Create a New Pipeline" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". The text alongside this image reads: Click Create new pipeline in the top-right corner Enter a descriptive Pipeline Name Click Save. Immediately after, the guide continues: Pipeline names must be unique. You cannot create or update a pipeline using a name that already exists in the same sub-account. Image 2 of 7 What to fill inClick Create new pipeline in the top-right corner Enter a descriptive Pipeline Name Click Save
Buttons and menus referenced Create new pipelinePipeline NameSave
Next stepPipeline names must be unique. You cannot create or update a pipeline using a name that already exists in the same sub-account.
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Click Create new pipeline in the top-right corner
  2. Enter a descriptive Pipeline Name
  3. Click Save
Note:
Pipeline names must be unique. You cannot create or update a pipeline using a name that already exists in the same sub-account.

Step 3: Add and Manage Pipeline Stages

After creating a pipeline, you can define the stages that make up your workflow.

To add stages:

  • Enter a Stage Name

  • Click Add stage to create additional stages

  • Repeat as needed to define the full flow

To manage stages:

  • Reorder stages using the up and down arrows

  • Control reporting visibility using the funnel and pie chart icons

  • Delete stages using the trash icon

Step 3: Add and Manage Pipeline Stages (image 3 of 7) What this shows Reorder stages using the up and down arrows Control reporting visibility using the funnel and pie chart icons Delete stages using the… What this shows Illustrates the "Step 3: Add and Manage Pipeline Stages" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". This screenshot appears in the "Step 3: Add and Manage Pipeline Stages" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". The text alongside this image reads: Reorder stages using the up and down arrows Control reporting visibility using the funnel and pie chart icons Delete stages using the trash icon. This part of the guide covers 3 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Stage names must be unique within the pipeline Won and Lost stages are created automatically and do not need to be added manually. Image 3 of 7 What this coversReorder stages using the up and down arrows Control reporting visibility using the funnel and pie chart icons Delete stages using the trash icon
Fields in this part of the guide Repeat as needed to define the full flowReorder stages using the up and down arrowsStage names must be unique within the pipeline
Buttons and menus referenced Stage NameAdd stageup and down arrowsfunnel and pie chart iconstrash iconWonLost
Next stepStage names must be unique within the pipeline Won and Lost stages are created automatically and do not need to be added manually
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Enter a Stage Name
  2. Click Add stage to create additional stages
  3. Repeat as needed to define the full flow
Important:
  • Stage names must be unique within the pipeline
  • Won and Lost stages are created automatically and do not need to be added manually

Step 4: Customize Stage Colors

You can assign colors to each stage to improve visibility across your pipeline.

To set stage colors:

  • Open a pipeline

  • Go to the Stages tab

  • Select a color for each stage

Step 4: Customize Stage Colors (image 4 of 7) What this shows Open a pipeline Go to the Stages tab Select a color for each stage What this shows Illustrates the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". This screenshot appears in the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". The text alongside this image reads: Open a pipeline Go to the Stages tab Select a color for each stage. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Default (no color) Colored dot Background tint. Image 4 of 7 Where to goOpen a pipeline Go to the Stages tab Select a color for each stage
Fields in this part of the guide Default (no color)Colored dotBackground tintKanban and List viewsOpportunity cardsContact details view
Buttons and menus referenced Stages
Next stepDefault (no color) Colored dot Background tint
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Open a pipeline
  2. Go to the Stages tab
  3. Select a color for each stage

Choose how colors appear:

  • Default (no color)

  • Colored dot

  • Background tint

Step 4: Customize Stage Colors (image 5 of 7) What this shows Default (no color) Colored dot Background tint What this shows Illustrates the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". This screenshot appears in the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". The text alongside this image reads: Default (no color) Colored dot Background tint. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Stage colors are reflected across. Image 5 of 7 What this coversDefault (no color) Colored dot Background tint
Fields in this part of the guide Default (no color)Colored dotBackground tintKanban and List viewsOpportunity cardsContact details view
Buttons and menus referenced Stages
Next stepStage colors are reflected across:
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Open a pipeline
  2. Go to the Stages tab
  3. Select a color for each stage

Stage colors are reflected across:

  • Kanban and List views

    Step 1 of 3: Kanban and List views What this shows Step 1 of 3: Kanban and List views What this shows Shows what this covers for step 1 of 3 in the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 3 in the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". At this point in the walkthrough you kanban and List views. For context, this section explains: You can assign colors to each stage to improve visibility across your pipeline. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. The next step is to opportunity cards. Step 1 of 3Image 6 of 7 What this coversKanban and List views
    Fields in this part of the guide Default (no color)Colored dotBackground tintKanban and List viewsOpportunity cardsContact details view
    Buttons and menus referenced Stages
    Next stepOpportunity cards
    All 3 steps in this procedure
    1. Kanban and List views this image
    2. Opportunity cards
    3. Contact details view

  • Opportunity cards

  • Contact details view

    Step 3 of 3: Contact details view What this shows Step 3 of 3: Contact details view What this shows Shows what this covers for step 3 of 3 in the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 3 in the "Step 4: Customize Stage Colors" section of "Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Pipelines". At this point in the walkthrough you contact details view. For context, this section explains: You can assign colors to each stage to improve visibility across your pipeline. This part of the guide covers 6 fields, listed below. Step 3 of 3Image 7 of 7 What this coversContact details view
    Fields in this part of the guide Default (no color)Colored dotBackground tintKanban and List viewsOpportunity cardsContact details view
    Buttons and menus referenced Stages
    All 3 steps in this procedure
    1. Kanban and List views
    2. Opportunity cards
    3. Contact details view this image

Step 4: Delete a Pipeline Stage

When deleting a pipeline stage, you can now move existing opportunities instead of losing them.

To delete a stage:

  • Open the pipeline you want to edit

  • Click the delete icon next to the stage

  • Select a destination stage for existing opportunities

  • Confirm the deletion

All opportunities from the deleted stage are automatically moved to the selected stage.


Step 5: Configure Pipeline Dashboard Visibility

You can control whether pipelines and stages appear in dashboards and reports.

  • Enable or disable pipeline visibility in:

    • Funnel charts

    • Pie charts

  • Configure stage-level visibility using the icons next to each stage

These settings determine how pipeline data appears in opportunity dashboards.

FAQs


Q: Do I need to create Won and Lost stages manually?

No. GHL Customer Care automatically adds Won and Lost stages to every pipeline.


Q: What happens to opportunities if I delete a stage?

You can move all existing opportunities to another stage during deletion, preventing data loss.


Q: Can I rename a pipeline after creating it?

Yes, as long as the updated name is unique within the sub-account.


Q: Does the updated Pipelines experience change functionality?

No. Core functionality remains the same. The update focuses on UI improvements and safer stage management.




Frequently asked questions

Q: Do I need to create Won and Lost stages manually?
No. GHL Customer Care automatically adds Won and Lost stages to every pipeline.
Q: What happens to opportunities if I delete a stage?
You can move all existing opportunities to another stage during deletion, preventing data loss.
Q: Can I rename a pipeline after creating it?
Yes, as long as the updated name is unique within the sub-account.
Q: Does the updated Pipelines experience change functionality?
No. Core functionality remains the same. The update focuses on UI improvements and safer stage management.

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