Let’s be honest… HighLevel is amazing, but when it comes to e-commerce, it’s still got a few blind spots. Especially if you’re trying to offer those little add-ons that actually make or break a product sale (lookin’ at you, cupcake sprinkles 🍥).

On a recent HL Pro Tools training call, Mario Aldayuz,  Head of Partnerships at HL Pro Tools, jumped in to help agency owner Becky tackle exactly this: How the heck do you handle product variants and add-ons in HighLevel when the system doesn’t support them out of the box?

I’m breaking it down here because chances are, if Becky’s running into it… you are too.

The Problem: Where Are My Sprinkles?

So Becky’s running an online bakery. She’s got cupcakes. She’s got options. She wants customers to choose a cupcake and add sprinkles, maybe frosting colors, maybe a custom message.

But here’s the kicker: HighLevel doesn’t support add-ons or product variants inside one product listing. Not yet.

So if you’re trying to build a “build-your-own-cupcake” experience like Shopify or Uber Eats? Yeah… you hit a wall.

The Hack: Separate Add-Ons with Style

Mario offered a killer workaround—and it’s honestly kind of genius.

✅ Create separate products for each add-on.
✅ Group them using styled categories or smart naming.
✅ Use product images, clear titles, and instructions like “Add this to your cupcake” to guide customers through the process.

Example:

• 🧁 Product: Chocolate Cupcake
  
• ➕ Add-on Product: Rainbow Sprinkles (with note: “Only works with cupcakes!”)

You’re basically creating a self-serve system where people can mix and match items just like they would on a bigger e-commerce platform—without any custom code or external devs.

Pro Tip: Make the category names super clear. Think: “Customize Your Cupcake” or “Add a Finishing Touch.” That way customers won’t miss it.

Other Smart Takeaways From the Session

We didn’t just stop at cupcakes (even though now I’m craving one).

Here are a few more golden nuggets from the call:

💡 1. Use External Tools When You Have To

If you’ve got a client who needs advanced inventory, upsells, or cart logic—Mario recommends exploring integrations like Square or Shopify.

Just remember: these platforms are great, but don’t promise your clients the moon if HighLevel can’t natively handle their needs yet. Be real about limitations.

💡 2. Test Everything Before You Sell It

Whether it’s Square for payments, Zapier for inventory updates, or a makeshift add-on shop like the one above, always run through the entire customer journey yourself.

That’s how you avoid last-minute “uh oh” moments when a client goes live.

💡 3. Don’t Wait for Native Features—Build Workarounds

Yes, new features are coming. But in the meantime, get creative. That’s what HighLevel is all about—solving problems with what you’ve got.

Final Thoughts

Look, HighLevel’s still evolving in the e-com department—but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work like a charm for your clients.

With the right setup, a few smart workarounds, and a bit of creativity, you can build pro-level shopping experiences inside the platform you already know and love.

And if you want help with that? You know where to find us 👉 hlprotools.com

Cool Free Thing: The Testimonial Workflow That Sells for You

Before you can help businesses with your service, you need to establish trust.

And the quickest way to earn that trust? ⭐️ Testimonials.

In the spirit of free stuff, I want to give you my team’s Testimonial Workflow—the same one we use at HL Pro Tools to:

✅ Gather client testimonials on autopilot
✅ Organize and edit them without the chaos
✅ Use them to boost conversions like crazy

👉 Grab the free walkthrough here

Plug it in. Use it today. Let your clients do the selling for you 🙌