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Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links

This article explains how to create, manage, and optimize Custom Menu Links in GHL Customer Care to enhance platform navigation and integrate external…

5 min read1,152 words7 explained imagesUpdated Mon, 11 Aug, 2025 at 3:30 AM
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On this page
  1. What Are Custom Menu Links?
  2. Key Benefits of Custom Menu Links
  3. Who Can Manage Custom Menu Links?
  4. How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links
  5. Getting the user's context within the Custom Menu Link
  6. How to Edit or Delete a Custom Menu Link
  7. Best Practices for Using Custom Menu Links
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Related Articles

This article explains how to create, manage, and optimize Custom Menu Links in GHL Customer Care to enhance platform navigation and integrate external tools directly into the user interface.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Custom Menu Links allow agencies to personalize the GHL Customer Care navigation menu for sub-accounts and agency users. These links help direct users to essential external resources, training materials, or frequently accessed tools, improving workflow efficiency. This customization enhances user experience and allows for better navigation within the GHL Customer Care platform.

Custom Menu Links can be configured in three ways:

  • Embedded Page (iFrame): Displays the external page within GHL Customer Care while maintaining the navigation structure.

  • New Browser Tab: Opens the link in a separate browser tab, keeping GHL Customer Care open in the background.

  • Current Browser Tab: Replaces the current GHL Customer Care screen with the linked content, directing users outside of the platform.

These options provide flexibility based on how agencies want their users to interact with external tools and resources.


Custom Menu Links offer various advantages, including:

  • Streamlined Navigation: Centralized access to frequently used external tools, reducing the time spent switching between different platforms.

  • Increased Productivity: Users can quickly access essential resources without leaving the GHL Customer Care interface.

  • Better Training & Support Access: Agencies can provide direct links to help documentation, knowledge bases, or customer support portals.

  • Seamless Third-Party Integrations: Directly embed external dashboards, affiliate portals, or reporting tools within the platform.


Only Agency Admins can create and manage Custom Menu Links, ensuring that only authorized personnel can add or remove navigation options.

To adjust these permissions, navigate to Settings > Team. Select the team member whose permissions need updating and ensure the "Manage Custom Menu Links" permission is enabled.

Who Can Manage Custom Menu Links? (image 1 of 7) What this shows To adjust these permissions, navigate to Settings > Team. What this shows Illustrates the "Who Can Manage Custom Menu Links?" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". This animation appears in the "Who Can Manage Custom Menu Links?" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". The text alongside this image reads: To adjust these permissions, navigate to Settings > Team. Select the team member whose permissions need updating and ensure the "Manage Custom Menu Links" permission is enabled. The navigation path used here is Settings > Team. Immediately after, the guide continues: Learn how to add and configure custom menu links that appear in the navigation sidebar for agency and sub-account users. These steps will help you seamlessly integrate external tools and resources directly into your GHL Customer Care…. Path: Settings > TeamImage 1 of 7 What to chooseTo adjust these permissions, navigate to Settings > Team. Select the team member whose permissions need updating and ensure the "Manage Custom Menu Links" permission is enabled.
Buttons and menus referenced Agency AdminsSettings > Team
Next stepLearn how to add and configure custom menu links that appear in the navigation sidebar for agency and sub-account users. These steps will help you seamlessly integrate external tools and resources directly into your GHL Customer Care workspace. Follow these steps to create a new Custom Menu Link:

Learn how to add and configure custom menu links that appear in the navigation sidebar for agency and sub-account users. These steps will help you seamlessly integrate external tools and resources directly into your GHL Customer Care workspace. Follow these steps to create a new Custom Menu Link:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links in the left-hand menu and click on the Create New button at the top right.

How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links (image 2 of 7) What this shows Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links in the left-hand menu and click on the Create New button at the top right. What this shows Illustrates the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". This screenshot appears in the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". The text alongside this image reads: Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links in the left-hand menu and click on the Create New button at the top right. The navigation path used here is Settings > Custom Menu Links. Immediately after, the guide continues: Step 2: Fill in the required details. Path: Settings > Custom Menu LinksImage 2 of 7 What to clickStep 1: Navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links in the left-hand menu and click on the Create New button at the top right.
Buttons and menus referenced Settings > Custom Menu LinksCreate NewLink URLSidebar PreferenceRole-Based VisibilityAgency sidebarSub-Account's sidebar
Next stepStep 2: Fill in the required details:
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Link Icon: Click to select an icon.
  2. Link Title: Enter the name of the menu link.
  3. URL: Provide the external URL to be linked. You may use Location values and Custom Values in here. (These will only work on the Location sidebar when inside an account.) Example: http://url.com/{{location.id}}?value={{custom_values.my_value}} IMPORTANT: The Link URL is the web address where the menu item will direct users. It must begin with http:// or https://. Make sure the destination page allows embedding if using the Embedded Page (iFrame) option.

Step 2: Fill in the required details:

  • Link Icon: Click to select an icon.

  • Link Title: Enter the name of the menu link.

  • URL: Provide the external URL to be linked. You may use Location values and Custom Values in here. (These will only work on the Location sidebar when inside an account.)
    Example: http://url.com/{{location.id}}?value={{custom_values.my_value}}

    Step 3 of 3: URL: Provide the external URL to be linked. You may use Location… What this shows Step 3 of 3: URL: Provide the external URL to be linked. What this shows Shows where to go for step 3 of 3 in the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". This animation accompanies step 3 of 3 in the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". At this point in the walkthrough you URL: Provide the external URL to be linked. You may use Location values and Custom Values in here. (These will only work on the Location sidebar when inside an account.) Example: http://url.com/{{location.id}}?value={{custom_values.my_value}} IMPORTANT: The Link URL is the web address where the menu item will direct users. It must begin with http:// or https://. Make sure the destination page allows embedding if using the Embedded Page (iFrame) option. Step 3 of 3Image 3 of 7 Where to goURL: Provide the external URL to be linked. You may use Location values and Custom Values in here. (These will only work on the Location sidebar when inside an account.) Example: http://url.com/{{location.id}}?value={{custom_values.my_value}} IMPORTANT: The Link URL is the web address where the menu item will direct users. It must begin with http:// or https://. Make sure the destination page allows embedding if using the Embedded Page (iFrame) option.
    Buttons and menus referenced Link URLSettings > Custom Menu LinksCreate NewSidebar PreferenceRole-Based VisibilityAgency sidebarSub-Account's sidebar
    All 3 steps in this procedure
    1. Link Icon: Click to select an icon.
    2. Link Title: Enter the name of the menu link.
    3. URL: Provide the external URL to be linked. You may use Location values and Custom Values in here. (These will only work on the Location sidebar when inside an account.) Example: http://url.com/{{location.id}}?value={{custom_values.my_value}} IMPORTANT: The Link URL is the web address where the menu item will direct users. It must begin with http:// or https://. Make sure the destination page allows embedding if using the Embedded Page (iFrame) option. this image
    IMPORTANT:  The Link URL is the web address where the menu item will direct users. It must begin with http:// or https://. Make sure the destination page allows embedding if using the Embedded Page (iFrame) option.

Step 3: Choose the opening method:

  • Open in an Embedded Page (iFrame): Displays the linked content directly within the GHL Customer Care dashboard, keeping users in the same interface. Ideal for tools that support embedding.
  • Open in a New Browser Tab: Opens the link in a separate tab, allowing users to access the resource without leaving their current GHL Customer Care view.

  • Open in the Current Tab: Redirects the current GHL Customer Care tab to the linked URL. Best used when users are expected to complete tasks outside the platform.

    Step 3 of 3: Open in the Current Tab: Redirects the current GHL Customer Care tab to… What this shows Step 3 of 3: Open in the Current Tab: Redirects the current GHL Customer Care tab to the linked URL. What this shows Shows where to go for step 3 of 3 in the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 3 in the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". At this point in the walkthrough you open in the Current Tab: Redirects the current GHL Customer Care tab to the linked URL. Best used when users are expected to complete tasks outside the platform. Step 3 of 3Image 4 of 7 Where to goOpen in the Current Tab: Redirects the current GHL Customer Care tab to the linked URL. Best used when users are expected to complete tasks outside the platform.
    Buttons and menus referenced Settings > Custom Menu LinksCreate NewLink URLSidebar PreferenceRole-Based VisibilityAgency sidebarSub-Account's sidebar
    All 3 steps in this procedure
    1. Open in an Embedded Page (iFrame): Displays the linked content directly within the GHL Customer Care dashboard, keeping users in the same interface. Ideal for tools that support embedding.
    2. Open in a New Browser Tab: Opens the link in a separate tab, allowing users to access the resource without leaving their current GHL Customer Care view.
    3. Open in the Current Tab: Redirects the current GHL Customer Care tab to the linked URL. Best used when users are expected to complete tasks outside the platform. this image

Step 4: Set Sidebar Preference and Role-Based Visibility

Set the Sidebar Preference and Role-Based Visibility to define where the link appears and who can access it. The Sidebar Preference allows you to choose whether the link appears in the Agency sidebar, the Sub-Account sidebar, or both:

  • Selecting the Agency sidebar will make the link visible to agency-level users.

  • Selecting the Sub-Account's sidebar enables you to assign the link to specific sub-accounts only. Once selected, you can choose which subaccounts should display the custom menu link.

  • Role-Based Visibility lets you control which types of users can see the custom menu link:All: The link will be visible to all roles. User: Only users with the User role will see the link. Admin: Only Admins will have access to the link.
    Step 3 of 3: Role-Based Visibility lets you control which types of users can see… What this shows Step 3 of 3: Role-Based Visibility lets you control which types of users can see the custom menu link: All: The link will be visible to all roles. What this shows Shows what this covers for step 3 of 3 in the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 3 in the "How to Create and Manage Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". At this point in the walkthrough you role-Based Visibility lets you control which types of users can see the custom menu link: All: The link will be visible to all roles. User: Only users with the User role will see the link. Admin: Only Admins will have access to the link. Step 3 of 3Image 5 of 7 What this coversRole-Based Visibility lets you control which types of users can see the custom menu link: All: The link will be visible to all roles. User: Only users with the User role will see the link. Admin: Only Admins will have access to the link.
    Buttons and menus referenced Role-Based VisibilitySettings > Custom Menu LinksCreate NewLink URLSidebar PreferenceAgency sidebarSub-Account's sidebar
    All 3 steps in this procedure
    1. Selecting the Agency sidebar will make the link visible to agency-level users.
    2. Selecting the Sub-Account's sidebar enables you to assign the link to specific sub-accounts only. Once selected, you can choose which subaccounts should display the custom menu link.
    3. Role-Based Visibility lets you control which types of users can see the custom menu link: All: The link will be visible to all roles. User: Only users with the User role will see the link. Admin: Only Admins will have access to the link. this image

While creating the Custom Menu Link, you can set the URL like this:

https://test.com/test?fname={{user.first_name}}&lname={{user.last_name}}&location_id={{location.id}}&custom_value_example={{custom_values.example_field_name}}

This way, when a user clicks on the link, GHL Customer Care will dynamically replace the param variables with actual values based on the user's context. You can extract these params from the URL and get the user's context.

Supported params to CML

user.first_name

user.last_name

user.name

user.phone

user.email

location.id

location.name

location.city

location.state

location.country

location.address

location.email

location.phone

location.postal_code

location.full_address

location.website

location.logo_url

location_owner.first_name

location_owner.last_name

location_owner.email

custom_values.{CUSTOM_VALUE_NAME}

Make quick updates or remove outdated custom menu links as your agency evolves. This section shows you how to keep your sidebar navigation clean and relevant by editing or deleting existing links.

  • Navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links and find the desired link and click the Edit (pencil icon) or Delete (trash icon) button. Make the necessary updates or confirm deletion. These changes include updating the name and icon of the existing link. Changes will immediately reflect in the navigation menu for all users.

    Step 1 of 1: Navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links and find the desired link and… What this shows Step 1 of 1: Navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links and find the desired link and click the Edit (pencil icon) or Delete (trash icon) button. What this shows Shows where to go for step 1 of 1 in the "To modify or remove an existing Custom Menu Link:" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 1 in the "To modify or remove an existing Custom Menu Link:" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". At this point in the walkthrough you navigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links and find the desired link and click the Edit (pencil icon) or Delete (trash icon) button. Make the necessary updates or confirm deletion. These changes include updating the name and icon of the existing link. Changes will immediately reflect in the navigation menu for all users. The navigation path used here is Settings > Custom Menu Links. Step 1 of 1Path: Settings > Custom Menu LinksImage 6 of 7 Where to goNavigate to Settings > Custom Menu Links and find the desired link and click the Edit (pencil icon) or Delete (trash icon) button. Make the necessary updates or confirm deletion. These changes include updating the name and icon of the existing link. Changes will immediately reflect in the navigation menu for all users.
    Buttons and menus referenced Settings > Custom Menu LinksEditDelete
  • Click on the Rearrange Custom Menu Links button at the top right and drag and drop menu links to the desired order. Finally click Save to finalize the changes.

    Step 1 of 1: Click on the Rearrange Custom Menu Links button at the top right and… What this shows Step 1 of 1: Click on the Rearrange Custom Menu Links button at the top right and drag and drop menu links to the desired order. What this shows Shows how to confirm for step 1 of 1 in the "How to Rearrange Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". This animation accompanies step 1 of 1 in the "How to Rearrange Custom Menu Links" section of "Customizing GHL Customer Care Menus: A Guide to Custom Menu Links". At this point in the walkthrough you click on the Rearrange Custom Menu Links button at the top right and drag and drop menu links to the desired order. Finally click Save to finalize the changes. Step 1 of 1Image 7 of 7 How to confirmClick on the Rearrange Custom Menu Links button at the top right and drag and drop menu links to the desired order. Finally click Save to finalize the changes.
    Buttons and menus referenced Rearrange Custom Menu LinksSave

To maximize the effectiveness of Custom Menu Links, consider the following:

  • Keep It Organized: Avoid adding too many links that might clutter the navigation menu.

  • Use Clear Titles & Icons: Ensure that menu items are easily recognizable and intuitive for users.

  • Test iFrame Compatibility: Some external websites may have restrictions preventing them from being embedded in an iFrame.

  • Regularly Review & Update Links: Ensure that all links remain relevant and functional over time.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can subaccounts create their own Custom Menu Links?
No, only agency users with the necessary permissions can manage Custom Menu Links.

Q: Can I embed any website using the iFrame option?
Not all websites allow embedding via iFrame. Test the link before deploying it to users.

Q: Can I restrict Custom Menu Links to specific users or roles?
Yes, you can control visibility based on user roles and permissions in the Team Settings.

Q: How do I reorder Custom Menu Links?
Click Rearrange Custom Menu Links, drag and drop the links, and save the new order.


Frequently asked questions

What Are Custom Menu Links?
Custom Menu Links allow agencies to personalize the GHL Customer Care navigation menu for sub-accounts and agency users. These links help direct users to essential external resources, training materials, or frequently accessed tools, improving workflow efficiency. This customization enhances user experience and allows for better navigation within the GHL Customer Care platform. Custom Menu Links can be configured in three ways: Embedded Page (iFrame): Displays the external page within GHL Customer Care while maintaining the navigation structure. New Browser Tab: Opens the link in a separate browser tab, keeping GHL Customer Care open in the background. Current Browser Tab: Replaces the current GHL Customer Care screen with the linked content, directing users outside of the platform. These options provide flexibility based on how agencies want their users to interact with external tools and…
Who Can Manage Custom Menu Links?
Only Agency Admins can create and manage Custom Menu Links, ensuring that only authorized personnel can add or remove navigation options. To adjust these permissions, navigate to Settings > Team . Select the team member whose permissions need updating and ensure the "Manage Custom Menu Links" permission is enabled.

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