The Santa Barbara Web Design and Marketing Blog

If you’re reading this, you’re likely ready to take your business, brand, or freelance services to the next level with a modern, all-in-one funnel and website platform. Welcome to Web Design Wednesday! Today, I’ll be walking you through one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools currently available for streamlining digital marketing, building revenue-driven funnels, and creating professional websites: HighLevel.

Whether you’re a web design veteran or just dipping your toes into the digital world, there’s plenty to unpack here. I’ll break down the reasons why I chose HighLevel for this series, demonstrate critical features step by step, offer some inside knowledge on integrations like Yext, and give you actionable insights so you can follow along—using a 30-day trial link (rather than the standard 14 days) included at the end of this post.

So, are you ready to dive into the building blocks of a smart, sustainable, and scalable digital presence? Let’s get started.

---

Why All-in-One Platforms are Game-Changers

In the ever-evolving world of web design and digital marketing, we are constantly bombarded by tools and platforms each promising simplicity, speed, and stellar results. As a consultant with 30 years of experience supporting Mac and PC users in Santa Barbara and beyond, trust me when I say I’ve seen it all—from hand-coded HTML websites of the 1990s to today’s drag-and-drop page builders and sophisticated automation software.

But here’s the kicker: most platforms do one or two things really well, then leave you to figure out everything else with costly add-ons, countless plugins, or cobbled-together integrations. That’s where the beauty of today’s all-in-one systems like HighLevel comes in. They unify website building, sales funnels, payments, email marketing, automation, and even all necessary SEO—seamlessly.

You don’t have to switch between dozens of tools (or pay for them all individually). Your data, customers, messages, and revenue streams are all in one dashboard. This approach doesn’t just save money; it saves your most precious resource of all: time.

---

First Steps: Logging into HighLevel

The first thing you’ll notice when you log into HighLevel is a sleek, modern dashboard. There’s no clutter, no distractions—just core business metrics that matter: total sales generated from your funnels, your monthly recurring revenue, new customers acquired (tracked directly through Stripe integration!), and key analytics.

Why does this matter? Because too many businesses fall into the trap of “set and forget”—launching their site or funnel, then failing to track performance. With HighLevel, your results (and areas for improvement) are always at your fingertips, guiding your next move.

If you want to follow my tutorials in real-time, you’ll need time to explore and experiment. That’s why I provide a 30-day free trial link (instead of the standard 14 days) so you’ll have plenty of flexibility to develop your own funnel, landing pages, and automation alongside me over several weeks.

---

Stripe Integration: Getting Paid Has Never Been Easier

One common headache for online entrepreneurs is finding a reliable, user-friendly way to process payments. HighLevel natively integrates with Stripe, the gold standard for secure online payments.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

- Set up Stripe through HighLevel’s wizard (just a few clicks!).

- Accept one-time payments, recurring subscriptions, and even upsells or order bumps.

- Track all sales revenue on your dashboard and easily generate reports for your accountant.

For anyone tired of invasive plugins or the hurdles of setting up merchant accounts, this removes all the typical barriers. Your sales flow is frictionless—for both you and your customers.

---

Built-in Marketing Systems: Email, SMS, and Membership

One of my favorite aspects of HighLevel is how it empowers businesses large and small to engage audiences on multiple channels, without extra fees or technical headaches.

Email Autoresponders

Want to automate your customer journey—welcoming new leads, upselling previous buyers, or re-engaging those who haven’t purchased in a while? HighLevel comes with a robust email autoresponder, so you can create drip campaigns, broadcast emails, or behavior-based triggers without leaving the platform.

No need for costly add-ons like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign (unless you want those features on top). It’s integrated.

SMS/Text Messaging

Capture phone numbers? HighLevel can automate SMS messages as well. Whether you’re sending appointment reminders, thank-yous, or discount codes, it’s a one-stop shop to stay in front of your customers.

Membership and Training Course Hosting

Digital content is king, and nothing builds authority (or stable recurring revenue) like your own online course. HighLevel’s member area lets you:

- Upload training videos

- Set lessons, modules, or drip content

- Manage access (free or paid)

- Track users’ progress and engagement

If you’ve ever tried to bolt together Teachable, Kajabi, and your existing website, you’ll appreciate how painless (and affordable) it is to have all these tools together.

---

Solving Real Problems: Building a Funnel from Scratch

The first real-world project I’ll demonstrate (over the next several episodes) is the creation of a solution-focused funnel—a landing page that answers a common problem I’ve solved for many clients.

You’ll watch step by step as I:

- Map the customer journey and clarify the funnel’s purpose

- Select a template geared to my target audience

- Customize visuals, copy, and calls-to-action

- Wire up payment processing, lead magnets, or appointment scheduling

- Automate email/SMS follow-ups

No theory—just practical, hands-on strategy. You’ll understand not only the “how,” but the “why” behind each move, so you can adapt the process to your own business, service, or consulting offer.

---

Yext Integration: The Secret Weapon for Local Search

HighLevel doesn’t just cater to online-only businesses. If you’re serving local customers (hair salons, law offices, restaurants, brick-and-mortar stores—anyone who wants to show up in that coveted Google Maps “3-pack”), you need two things:

1. A reliable way to manage your local directory listings so your business info is always current and consistent across the web.

2. A cost-effective solution, since most directory solutions are sold separately, often at $1,000 or more per year.

That’s where the Yext integration comes in. Bundled at a steep discount through HighLevel, Yext lets you:

- Instantly update your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across dozens of key directories from one dashboard.

- Ensure Google, Bing, Yelp, Facebook, and other services always display accurate info—with no manual work.

- Strengthen your local SEO and improve your chances of showing up right where your customers are searching.

For anyone serious about local search optimization, this single feature alone can save you hundreds, if not thousands, per year and hours of labor.

---

Template Libraries: Rapid Launch with Industry-Specific Design

Not everyone loves staring at a blank canvas. HighLevel’s template library fast-tracks your path to launch, whether your business is a hair salon, dental practice, legal service, consultant, gym, or something else entirely.

Here’s how it works:

- Search for your industry in the template browser (e.g., “hair salon”).

- Preview a professionally designed funnel, complete with landing pages, opt-in forms, and email/SMS follow-ups tailored for your sector.

- Click to deploy, then customize the finer details—logos, images, text—to fit your brand.

This is a monumental shortcut for both new business owners and seasoned professionals. Why labor endlessly over structure when you can focus on personalization and strategy instead?

---

What’s Coming Next: Sub-Accounts, Domains, & More

We’re just scratching the surface today. Tomorrow, on Tech Thursday, I’ll walk you through the process of creating a “sub-account” in HighLevel (think of it as a dedicated workspace for each website or client), connecting your custom domain, and configuring the essential settings before building any public-facing pages.

This organizational layer is especially helpful if you manage multiple brands, serve agency clients, or want to separate development from live sites. It keeps your workflow clean and compartmentalized, reducing hassle and mistakes.

Remember: To get the most from these hands-on tutorials, claim your free 30-day trial link in the description below so you’re prepped and ready.

---

Why Join the Ride? Community, Support, and Real Results

Maybe you’re wondering: Why watch someone else build a website? Couldn’t I just watch random YouTube videos or tinker with a demo site on my own?

Sure, you could—but few resources walk you through the real-world thought process, the live troubleshooting, and the strategic context required to make each tool truly work for your business. My approach as SB Web Guy is about transparency, teaching, and community:

- Step-by-step guidance: Each phase is broken down into clear, actionable lessons. No dense jargon.

- Trial access: The 30-day trial link ensures you can participate (and launch!) even with a busy schedule.

- Q&A and feedback: Drop your questions in the comments or join the community so we can solve challenges together.

- Always up-to-date: Web marketing changes fast; the content here is always fresh and responsive to new tech.

---

Action Steps: Start Your Journey

Ready to build a website or funnel that puts your business on the map—literally and figuratively?

1. Claim your 30-day free trial of HighLevel. [Link at the bottom]

2. Follow the video series and blog updates here. Bookmark this resource for new lessons every week.

3. Connect with the SB Web Guy Community. Peer learning accelerates your progress—don’t go it alone.

4. Prepare your assets. Brainstorm what service or solution you’ll solve in your funnel, and collect images, logos, and your “big promise” to customers.

Your first step is the hardest—but with tools like HighLevel and expert support, it’s also the most rewarding.

---

Final Thoughts

This series isn’t just a tutorial—it’s an invitation to leap ahead in the digital landscape, arming yourself with technology that scales and evolves with your goals. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, agency, or established business updating for today's standards, the right platform makes all the difference.

Don’t let scattered tools, fragmented systems, or outdated designs hold you back. Step into the world of efficient, automated, and professional web presence with me—SB Web Guy.

Catch tomorrow’s “Tech Thursday” episode, where we’ll dig into account setup, domain connections, and organizing your workflow for long-term success.

Ready to begin? Get your 30-day trial access and join me in building something extraordinary—one page, one funnel, one business solution at a time.

Start your journey with HighLevel [here.](#)

See you tomorrow!