Custom Fields Setup
Custom fields let you capture business-specific data beyond the default contact fields like name, phone, and email. This setup guide walks you through creating structured data fields that make your CRM work the way your business actually operates.
Prerequisites
Before setting up custom fields, make sure you have:
- Admin or location-level access to GoHighLevel
- A clear list of what additional data you need to capture (lead source, budget range, service interest, etc.)
- Decided whether each field applies to contacts (the person) or opportunities (the deal)
- Planned how to organize related fields into logical groups
Plan Your Field Structure
Before creating fields in the system, map out your data needs on paper or in a spreadsheet.
List the specific information you need to capture. Focus on data that serves a purpose in your sales process, automation workflows, or segmentation strategy. Don’t create fields just because you can.
Determine the right field type for each piece of data. Use dropdowns or radio buttons for predefined options you want to filter or report on. Use text fields for open-ended responses or reference information. Use date pickers for timelines and checkboxes for multiple selections.
Decide the object type for each field. Ask yourself: “Does this information describe the person or the deal?” Contact fields attach to the individual across all deals. Opportunity fields attach to a specific sales opportunity. This choice is permanent and cannot be changed after creation.
Group related fields together. Plan folders like “Lead Qualification,” “Service Preferences,” or “Project Details” to keep your contact records organized and scannable.
Access Custom Fields Settings
Navigate to the Custom Fields management area where you’ll create and organize all your custom data fields.
Click Settings in the left navigation menu. This opens your location settings panel.
Scroll down the settings list and click Custom Fields. This is your central hub for viewing existing fields and creating new ones.
You’ll see separate tabs for contact fields and opportunity fields. Both object types share the same interface for creation and management.
Create Your First Custom Field
Click the Add Field button in the top-right corner. The field creation panel slides open from the right side of the screen.
Select your Field Type from the dropdown menu. Choose the input type that matches your data needs. Text for open responses, Dropdown for predefined options, Date Picker for timeline tracking, Checkbox Group for multiple selections, and so on.
Choose the Object type. Select Contact if this field should appear in contact profiles. Select Opportunity if it should appear in opportunities only. Remember, this decision cannot be changed after you save the field.
Enter a clear Field Name. Be specific and descriptive. Use “Lead Source” not “Source,” “Preferred Contact Method” not “Method,” “Service Interest” not “Interest.” Future you will appreciate the clarity.
Select or create a Group (folder) to organize this field. Click the Group dropdown and choose an existing group or click + Add Folder to create a new one. Name groups based on their purpose: “Lead Qualification,” “Communication Settings,” “Project Details,” etc.
Configure Field Options
If you selected a Dropdown, Radio Select, or Checkbox Group field type, you need to define the available options.
Click + Add Option to create each choice. Enter the Option Name (what users see) and Option Value (what gets stored in the database). For example, “Under $5,000” might have a value of “under_5k.”
Add all the options you need for that field. For Dropdown (Multiple) and Checkbox Group fields, users can select more than one option, so include all relevant choices.
Order your options logically. Drag options to reorder them. Put the most common selections at the top for easier access.
Set a Prefill Value if you want a default option. This makes that choice appear automatically in forms and surveys unless manually changed. Useful for fields like “Country” where most responses will be the same.
Save and Verify the Field
Click Save at the bottom of the creation panel. The system immediately makes your field available for use across the platform.
Verify the field appears where expected. For contact fields, open any contact record and look for your new field under the group you assigned. For opportunity fields, open an opportunity card and check under “Opportunity Details.”
If the field doesn’t appear, confirm you selected the correct object type during creation. Contact fields won’t show in opportunities and vice versa.
Create Additional Fields
Repeat the field creation process for each additional data point you need to capture.
Follow the same workflow for each field: Add Field > select type > choose object > name field > assign group > configure options > save.
Assign related fields to the same group. Keep fields together that are typically referenced at the same time. A “Lead Qualification” group might contain dropdown, text, and checkbox fields all related to qualifying the lead’s intent and fit.
Stay consistent with naming patterns. If you use “Preferred Contact Method,” don’t also create “Best Time to Call” and “Reach Out Via.” Pick a pattern and maintain it across all fields.
Organize with Field Groups
Groups (folders) keep custom fields organized into logical sections within contact and opportunity records.
Create new groups by clicking + Add Folder in the Custom Fields settings. Name groups clearly based on their purpose rather than by field type.
Assign fields to groups during creation or move existing fields later. Select multiple fields, click the bulk action option, and assign them to a different group to reorganize quickly.
Limit groups to logical categories. Too many groups create as much visual noise as no groups at all. Aim for 5-8 groups maximum, each containing related fields.
Test Your Setup
Open a contact record and verify all your custom fields appear in their assigned groups. The groups should display as collapsible sections in the contact’s information panel.
Click into each field and test the input. Verify dropdowns show all options, text fields accept input, date pickers display a calendar, and checkboxes allow multiple selections.
Create a test form that includes your new custom fields. Navigate to Sites > Forms and build a simple form. Add your custom fields from the field picker to confirm they’re available in the form builder.
Submit the test form with sample data. Check the contact record to verify the data populated correctly under the appropriate groups.
Next Steps
Now that your custom fields are set up, integrate them into your workflows:
Add custom fields to your lead capture forms and surveys to start collecting structured data immediately.
Use custom field values as trigger conditions in workflows to start automated sequences when specific values are set.
Create Smart Lists filtered by custom field values to segment your database for targeted campaigns.
Configure which opportunity fields display on opportunity cards in board view for quick visual reference as deals move through your pipeline.
Reference custom fields in email and text templates using merge field syntax to personalize your messaging based on captured data.
For more advanced strategies and use cases, read the Custom Fields Guide.