If you’ve been using HighLevel for more than 5 minutes, you’ve probably heard the term “snapshot” tossed around like confetti.
And if you’re like most agency owners I talk to, you’re either:
- Already using snapshots (but kinda winging it), or
- Thinking, “Cool name… no clue what this thing actually does.”
So let’s clear the air. A snapshot is basically your reusable agency system in a box—custom fields, workflows, forms, triggers, and all that fun stuff—ready to drop into any sub-account and scale like a machine.
BUT… (and this is a big but) Most people build snapshots wrong. 🤷
They skip documentation, create messy dependencies, and turn what should be a growth engine into a chaotic spaghetti monster.
So I’m here to walk you through how to do it right—based on the killer insights from a recent HighLevel training we hosted with Mario Aldayuz (Head of Partnerships at HL Pro Tools) and Michael, one of the sharpest snapshot minds I’ve seen.
Snapshots Are the Key to Scaling… If You Don’t Botch Them
Look, if you’re serious about scaling with HighLevel, snapshots are non-negotiable. They save time. They reduce errors. They let you deploy entire client builds in minutes instead of hours.
But a bad snapshot will sabotage your ops faster than you can say “trigger misfire.”
So here’s what we covered in the training—and what I wish someone had told me when I started building snapshots.
Rule #1: Document Like Your Life Depends On It
Michael dropped his “Simple Snapshot Documenter” framework and I was like—why isn’t everyone using this?
Here’s what every asset in your snapshot needs:
✅ Name – What the heck is this thing?
✅ Function – What does it actually do?
✅ Setup – How do I use or activate it?
✅ Edit Safety – Can I mess with it later or is it locked?
✅ Dependencies/Notes – Does this thing rely on other elements?
Documenting now saves you hours of stress later.
Especially if you ever plan to hire, scale, or sell your snapshots.
Rule #2: Clarity Beats Complexity
When you’re building snapshots, avoid going full mad scientist. Too many triggers, too many steps, too many “just in case” add-ons.
You end up overwhelming your future self—and your clients.
Stick to what I call “Minimum Viable Documentation.” That means just enough detail to:
- Understand the purpose
- Execute it correctly
- Modify it safely
Don’t build a spaceship if all you need is a Honda Civic.
Rule #3: Track Dependencies Like a Hawk
Here’s where snapshot builders lose sleep:
They forget the connected pieces—like trigger links, custom fields, or special URLs.
Then boom: stuff breaks.
The client gets mad.
You get grumpy.
Nobody wins.
So… take inventory of:
- 📌 Custom fields
- 🔗 Trigger links
- 🔐 Webhooks
- 🔁 Custom values
- 🧩 Tags tied to automations
It’s not the sexiest part of snapshot building, but it’s what makes the whole thing actually work.
Final Thoughts
A great snapshot isn’t just a time-saver. It’s a growth system.
But like any system, it falls apart without clarity, documentation, and structure.
Build clean. Document early. And keep things modular.
That’s how you scale without losing your mind.
Need help dialing all this in?
👉 Check out hlprotools.com — we’ve got tools, trainings, and done-for-you stuff that makes HighLevel way less overwhelming (and way more profitable).
Cool Free Thing: Steal My Testimonial Workflow
Before you can help businesses with your service, you need to build trust.
And the fastest way to earn trust? ⭐️ Testimonials.
In the spirit of free stuff (and helping you win), I’m giving you the exact Testimonial Workflow we use to:
- Collect client feedback (without the cringe)
- Edit and organize it fast
- Turn raving fans into lead magnets
