Before you begin

  • Use current HighLevel API documentation for new work and avoid starting new builds on unsupported legacy API versions.
  • Create a Private Integration Token for a single location or OAuth app for a marketplace/multi-location integration.
  • Confirm the target Location and duplicate contact settings.
  • Create tags or custom fields for InstaChime source, campaign, score, and lead ID.

HighLevel setup

  • Receive `lead.created` in a bridge, Zapier Zap, or Make scenario.
  • Map lead name, email, phone, source, campaign, and message to the HighLevel contact model.
  • Call the contacts upsert endpoint so existing contacts are updated according to the Location duplicate settings.
  • Optionally add a tag such as `InstaChime` and create an opportunity or workflow trigger in HighLevel.
  • Return the HighLevel contact ID to InstaChime in the destination response.

Upsert contact shape

{
  "email": "jamie@example.com",
  "phone": "+15555550123",
  "firstName": "Jamie",
  "lastName": "Lee",
  "source": "InstaChime",
  "tags": ["InstaChime", "google_ads"]
}

Verify

  • Send a sample lead and confirm the contact is created or updated in the correct Location.
  • Confirm duplicate settings behave correctly when email and phone already exist on separate contacts.
  • Confirm tags, custom fields, and workflow triggers are applied.
  • Confirm the contact ID is visible in the InstaChime webhook delivery response.

Exact HighLevel setup

  • Confirm the target Location where contacts should be created.
  • Create a Private Integration Token for that Location, or set up OAuth for a multi-location app.
  • Review the Location duplicate contact settings.
  • Create custom fields for InstaChime lead ID, source platform, campaign, score, and sentiment.
  • Build a bridge, Zap, or Make scenario that receives `lead.created`.
  • Call HighLevel upsert contact with email, phone, name, source, tags, and custom fields.
  • Optionally create an opportunity or trigger a HighLevel workflow after the contact upsert.
  • Return the HighLevel contact ID to InstaChime.

HighLevel mapping choices

  • Map `lead.customer_name` into first and last name when possible.
  • Map phone in E.164 format if your SMS workflows depend on it.
  • Use tags such as `InstaChime`, source platform, and campaign name for segmentation.
  • Use custom fields for values that should not overwrite standard contact fields.
  • Send source as `InstaChime` plus original source details in custom fields if the account already has source conventions.

HighLevel troubleshooting

  • If contacts duplicate, review Location duplicate contact settings and the upsert payload.
  • If token calls fail, confirm the token is for the correct Location.
  • If tags are missing, add tags after contact creation if the upsert endpoint does not apply them as expected.
  • If workflows do not run, confirm the workflow trigger watches the fields/tags your integration sets.
  • If custom fields are blank, confirm custom field IDs/internal names in HighLevel.

Official references

These vendor-owned pages explain the controls and requirements referenced in this guide.

  • HighLevel API docsOfficial documentation used to verify this setup path and its current vendor requirements.
  • HighLevel upsert contactOfficial documentation used to verify this setup path and its current vendor requirements.
  • HighLevel Contacts APIOfficial documentation used to verify this setup path and its current vendor requirements.