Drop Funnel

So, you’re running your business on GoHighLevel, and you want to add PayPal to the mix because, let’s face it, everybody and their grandma uses it. It’s like the duct tape of online payments—works almost everywhere. I helped my friend Sarah, who runs a tattoo shop, get PayPal plugged into her GHL setup so she could sell T-shirts and book appointments without chasing checks. It wasn’t all smooth sailing (I botched the API keys once), but once it’s done, it’s like having a cash register in your pocket. Here’s the lowdown on connecting PayPal to GHL, with some hard-won tips to keep you from pulling your hair out.

What You’ll Need

• A GoHighLevel account with admin access (agency or sub-account level, depending on your setup).
• A PayPal Business account. Personal accounts won’t cut it—you need the business version for integrations.
• A computer and decent Wi-Fi. I tried this on my phone once during a power outage—big nope.
• A bit of grit to handle API keys and testing. It’s not brain surgery, but it’s not a one-click deal either.

Step 1: Get Your PayPal Business Account Ready

First, you need a PayPal Business account. If you don’t have one, go to paypal.com, click “Sign Up,” and choose “Business Account.” Fill in your business details—name, address, bank info for payouts. Sarah didn’t have a business account and tried using her personal one—PayPal shut that down quick. Verify your email and link a bank or card to make sure it’s active.

Now, you need your PayPal API credentials (Client ID and Secret Key). Here’s how to grab them:

• Log into developer.paypal.com with your PayPal Business account.
• Go to “My Apps & Credentials” in the dashboard.
• Make sure you’re on the “Live” tab (not “Sandbox”—that’s for testing and will mess you up for real payments). I clicked “Sandbox” once by mistake and wondered why no money was flowing.
• Click “Create App,” give it a name like “GHL Payments,” and hit “Create App.”
• You’ll see your Client ID and Secret Key. Copy these somewhere safe—I use a password manager because I’ve lost keys before and it’s a nightmare. Don’t share them with anyone.

Step 2: Find the PayPal Integration in GHL

Log into GHL. You’ll need admin access, either at the Agency level (for your main account) or Sub-Account level (for a specific client or location). Sarah wanted PayPal for her tattoo shop’s sub-account, so we set it up there. If you’re not an admin, you’ll be stuck—go to Settings > My Staff > Team Management to get the right permissions. I learned this when I couldn’t find the integration button on a client’s account.

Here’s where to go:

• Agency Level: Switch to Agency view (top left corner). Click “Settings” in the bottom left, then look for “Payments” or “SaaS Configurator.” You might see “Integrations” with a PayPal option.
• Sub-Account Level: Select the sub-account from the top-left dropdown. Go to “Settings” > “Payments” > “Integrations” tab. You’ll see PayPal listed with a “Manage” or “Connect” button.

Note: Some older guides (like Christine Seale’s video from 2021) mention needing to connect Stripe before PayPal. This isn’t always true anymore, but if you hit a wall, try connecting Stripe first—it’s a weird GHL quirk.

Step 3: Plug in PayPal

Click the “Manage” or “Connect” button next to PayPal in GHL’s Integrations tab. You’ll see fields for your Client ID and Secret Key from Step 1. Paste them in—double-check for typos because a single wrong character will ruin your day. I fat-fingered a key once and spent 20 minutes troubleshooting. Click “Save” to lock it in.

GHL will connect to PayPal via LeadConnector (their integration middleman). You might get redirected to a PayPal login to authorize the connection. Log in, approve it, and you’ll bounce back to GHL. Check for a green “Connected” status or a “Disconnect” button under PayPal in the Integrations tab. If it’s red or says “Connect,” something’s wrong—recheck your keys or try logging out and back in.

Step 4: Set Up Payment Options

Once connected, you can add PayPal buttons to your GHL forms, funnels, invoices, or payment links. Go to your funnel, website, or form builder and add a “Payment Element” or “Collect Payment” element. If your Payment Element is old (pre-November 2024), delete it and add a new one to ensure PayPal support—older versions might not show the buttons.

In the Payment Element settings, you can pick PayPal as an option alongside Stripe or others. Customize it:

• Currency: Set your preferred currency (e.g., USD, EUR). PayPal supports tons of currencies, so match it to your audience.
• Payment Methods: Enable PayPal and PayLater (if available—depends on the customer’s eligibility and PayPal’s terms).
• Branding: Add your logo or tweak the checkout look. Sarah added her shop’s skull logo to the payment form, and it looked killer.

You can also create products in GHL’s Payments > Products section. Set a name, price, and billing frequency (one-time or subscription). These can be linked to funnels, invoices, or Text-to-Pay links.

Step 5: Test It Like Your Business Depends on It

Don’t skip testing—I did once and got an earful when a client’s payments didn’t go through. Create a test product in GHL (like a $1 “Test Item”). Add it to a funnel, form, or payment link. Preview the form or funnel (PayPal buttons don’t show in the builder, only in preview or live mode).

Use a PayPal test account or your own PayPal account to make a payment. Log into PayPal, pay the $1, and check:

• GHL’s Payments > Transactions tab to see the payment logged.
• PayPal’s Dashboard > Activity to confirm the transaction.
• Refund the test payment in PayPal to avoid actual charges.

If it fails, check your Client ID/Secret Key or ensure you’re in Live mode (not Sandbox). Also, make sure your PayPal account is verified and not restricted. Sarah’s account was unverified at first, and we had to upload some ID docs to unlock it.

Step 6: Start Cashing In

With PayPal connected, you can:

• Sell Stuff: Use PayPal in funnels, order forms (1-step or 2-step), or e-commerce stores for products and services.
• Book Appointments: Collect payments upfront via GHL’s calendar.
• Send Invoices: Add PayPal buttons to invoices for easy client payments.
• Pay Affiliates: Use PayPal for affiliate payouts in GHL’s Affiliate Manager. Just add the affiliate’s PayPal email in their profile.

Track all transactions in GHL’s Payments > Transactions tab. Sarah used this to keep tabs on her merch sales and tattoo bookings—made her accountant’s life easier.

Watch Out for These Curveballs

• PayPal’s Limits: You can’t use PayPal for GHL’s SaaS mode or Text-to-Pay like Stripe. It’s mainly for online forms, invoices, and affiliate payouts.
• Fees Sting: PayPal charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction in the US (higher internationally). Factor that into your pricing.
• South Africa? Nope: PayPal’s available in 200+ countries, but not for GHL in South Africa—try Paystack instead.
• Stripe Dependency: Some older GHL setups require Stripe to be connected first. If PayPal’s not working, connect Stripe and try again.
• No Email Validation: PayPal’s API doesn’t validate emails for affiliate payouts, so double-check those.

Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

• Test in Live Mode: Sandbox is for devs messing around. Use Live credentials for real payments, or you’ll be chasing ghosts.
• Backup Gateway: Pair PayPal with Stripe for flexibility. Some customers prefer one over the other.
• Automate Notifications: Set up GHL workflows to send “Payment Received” texts or emails. Sarah’s clients loved the instant “Thanks!” texts.
• Check PayPal Status: If payments fail, log into PayPal and check for account restrictions. Sarah had to verify her business docs to unlock full access.

Connecting PayPal to GHL is like tuning a guitar—takes a bit of tweaking, but once it’s set, you’re ready to rock. Now go make some money and keep those clients happy!