# Understanding Pipelines > Learn how Pipelines in GHL Customer Care help you track, manage, and optimize opportunities across sales and service workflows using stages, automation, and reporting. - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/opportunities-and-pipelines/introduction-to-opportunities/understanding-pipelines - Section: Opportunities & Pipelines / Introduction to Opportunities - Reading time: 4 min - Images: 2, each explained below - Modified on Tue, 3 Feb at 6:51 PM --- Pipelines in GHL Customer Care let you visually manage opportunities as they move through different stages of your sales or service workflow. With the updated Pipelines experience powered by the HighRise design system, pipelines are easier to navigate, faster to manage, and safer to edit—while keeping existing functionality intact. --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** - [Overview](#overview) - [Pipelines List View](#pipelines-list-view) - [Why Pipelines Matter](#why-pipelines-matter) - [Pipeline Stages](#pipeline-stages) - [Editing a Pipeline and Its Stages](#editing-a-pipeline-and-its-stages) - [Deleting a Pipeline Stage](#deleting-a-pipeline-stage) - [How it works](#how-it-works) - [Example Pipeline Stages](#example-pipeline-stages) - [Example: Sales Pipeline](#example-sales-pipeline) - [Example: Service Business Pipeline](#example-service-business-pipeline) - [Best Practices](#best-practices) - [Keep It Simple](#keep-it-simple) - [Automate Smartly](#automate-smartly) - [Review Regularly](#review-regularly)[](#data-driven-optimization) - [Data-Driven Optimization](#data-driven-optimization)[Common Use Cases](#common-use-cases) - [FAQs](#faqs) - [Q: Do I lose opportunities when I delete a pipeline stage?](#q-do-i-lose-opportunities-when-i-delete-a-pipeline-stage) - [Q: Is the updated Pipelines experience required?](#q-is-the-updated-pipelines-experience-required) - [Q: Did any pipeline functionality change?](#q-did-any-pipeline-functionality-change) - [Q: Do existing automations still work?](#q-do-existing-automations-still-work) - [Useful Links](#useful-links) --- ## **Overview** Pipelines are visual workflow tools that show the progress of leads, deals, or customers from start to finish. Each opportunity moves through defined stages, helping teams understand what actions are needed and where items may be getting stuck. > **Updated Pipelines Experience (Labs)** > The Pipelines page now uses the HighRise design system for a cleaner, more consistent experience. > To enable this update, go to **Sub-account → Labs**. You can access Pipelines from: **Sub-account → Opportunities → Pipelines** --- ## **Pipelines List View** ![Pipelines List View (image 1 of 2)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155064130331/original/cysN3cSv0IWbeH5dCWGnN-3t6S-7LDh5Nw.png) **Pipelines List View (image 1 of 2)** This screenshot appears in the "Pipelines List View" section of "Understanding Pipelines". The text alongside this image reads: Sub-account → Opportunities → Pipelines. For context, this section explains: This view displays all pipelines in the sub-account, along with the number of stages in each pipeline and the last updated timestamp. Immediately after, the guide continues: This view displays all pipelines in the sub-account, along with the number of stages in each pipeline and the last updated timestamp. - What this covers: Sub-account → Opportunities → Pipelines - Next: This view displays all pipelines in the sub-account, along with the number of stages in each pipeline and the last updated timestamp. This view displays all pipelines in the sub-account, along with the number of stages in each pipeline and the last updated timestamp. --- ## **Why Pipelines Matter** Pipelines help you: - **Improve visibility** Instantly see where every opportunity stands in your process. - **Maintain consistency** Standardize how leads or clients move through your workflow. - **Increase efficiency** Automate follow-ups, reminders, and task assignments based on stage changes. - **Track performance** Monitor conversion rates, identify bottlenecks, and measure overall pipeline health. --- ## **Pipeline Stages** A pipeline is made up of stages, with each stage representing a step in your sales or customer journey. Opportunities move from left to right as they progress through the pipeline. Stages should be clearly defined and action-oriented so users know exactly when an opportunity should move forward. --- ## **Editing a Pipeline and Its Stages** ![Editing a Pipeline and Its Stages (image 2 of 2)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155064130340/original/qsA3sdj2jWZWMKEas_RxFvQrm4yaDWzO7g.png) **Editing a Pipeline and Its Stages (image 2 of 2)** This screenshot appears in the "Editing a Pipeline and Its Stages" section of "Understanding Pipelines". The text alongside this image reads: Stages should be clearly defined and action-oriented so users know exactly when an opportunity should move forward. Immediately after, the guide continues: From this screen, you can rename stages, reorder them, control reporting visibility, add new stages, or delete existing ones. - What this covers: Stages should be clearly defined and action-oriented so users know exactly when an opportunity should move forward. - Next: From this screen, you can rename stages, reorder them, control reporting visibility, add new stages, or delete existing ones. From this screen, you can rename stages, reorder them, control reporting visibility, add new stages, or delete existing ones. --- ## **Deleting a Pipeline Stage** When deleting a pipeline stage, you can now **move all existing opportunities to another stage** instead of losing them. ### **How it works** 1. Navigate to **Opportunities → Pipelines**. 2. Open the pipeline you want to edit. 3. Click the **delete** icon next to the stage. 4. Select a destination stage to move existing opportunities. 5. Confirm the deletion. All opportunities from the deleted stage are automatically transferred to the selected stage. --- ## **Example Pipeline Stages** ### **Example: Sales Pipeline** - **Lead Capture** – New inquiries from forms, calls, or chats - **Qualification** – Budget, need, and fit are confirmed - **Appointment Scheduled** – Discovery calls or demos are booked - **Proposal / Negotiation** – Offers are shared and discussed - **Closing** – Opportunity marked as Won or Lost ### **Example: Service Business Pipeline** - New Inquiry - Discovery Call Booked - Service or Package Selected - Payment Collected - Onboarding > **Tip:** Keep stages action-oriented and define clear rules for progression. > Example: Move an opportunity to _Appointment Scheduled_ only after a meeting is confirmed on the calendar. --- ## **Best Practices** ### **Keep It Simple** Limit pipelines to only the stages that matter most. Too many stages can slow down your workflow and reduce clarity. ### **Automate Smartly** Use pipeline-based automation to reduce manual work: - Send follow-ups when opportunities stay in a stage too long - Assign tasks when deals reach key stages ### **Review Regularly** On a weekly or monthly basis: - Remove outdated opportunities - Update stage definitions as your process evolves - Review conversion data and performance trends --- ## **Data-Driven Optimization** Pipelines are more than organizational tools—they provide insight into your business. Use pipeline reporting to answer: - Where do opportunities drop off most often? - Which stage takes the longest to complete? - What is the win rate at each stage? Use these insights to continuously improve your workflow and conversion rates. --- ## **Common Use Cases** - **Real Estate** New Lead → Property Tour → Offer → Contract Signed → Closed - **Coaching** Inquiry → Discovery Call → Program Selected → Payment → Onboarding - **Agency Client Management** Lead → Strategy Call → Proposal → Agreement → Onboarded These examples can be adapted to fit most industries. --- ## **FAQs** ### **Q: Do I lose opportunities when I delete a pipeline stage?** No. When deleting a stage, you can choose another stage to move all existing opportunities to. ### **Q: Is the updated Pipelines experience required?** No. The updated experience is currently optional and can be enabled from **Sub-account → Labs**. ### **Q: Did any pipeline functionality change?** No core functionality changed. The update focuses on UI improvements and safer stage management. ### **Q: Do existing automations still work?** Yes. All existing pipeline-based automations and triggers continue to function normally. --- ## **Useful Links** - [Understanding Opportunities](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/opportunities-and-pipelines/introduction-to-opportunities/understanding-opportunities-in-ghl-customer-care) - [Creating a Pipeline](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/opportunities-and-pipelines/getting-started-with-opportunities/step-by-step-guide-creating-pipelines) --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com