Most small, local businesses are still stuck in the digital stone age. They rely on walk-ins, word-of-mouth, or the occasional Facebook post — and many don’t even have a website. For anyone with a bit of digital marketing knowledge, this is a massive opportunity hiding in plain sight.
Imagine this: You build a clean, professional website or landing page for a real-world business — like a realtor, hairdresser, or plumber — and offer it to them for free. The only catch? They have to sign up for a software tool that lets them manage their own site and bookings. They get a polished online presence that brings in leads or appointments. You get paid a monthly commission — every month they keep using it.
This is exactly the opportunity behind a powerful platform called GoHighLevel — an all-in-one software that marketers and freelancers are using to build recurring income by helping local businesses get online fast.
In this post, I’ll break down the business model step-by-step, show you real-world examples (like the guy who built booking funnels for realtors on TikTok), and map out how you could scale this to earn $1,000–$5,000/month in mostly passive income.
GoHighLevel (often called GHL) is an all-in-one sales and marketing platform originally built for agencies — but it's now being used by freelancers, solopreneurs, and side hustlers to run lean, automated service businesses.
Think of it as a toolbox that replaces a bunch of different tools like:
Website builders (like Wix or WordPress)
CRM systems (like HubSpot)
Email/SMS marketing platforms (like Mailchimp or Twilio)
Appointment schedulers (like Calendly)
Funnel builders (like ClickFunnels)
But the real power of GHL is how it bundles all these features into one dashboard — with full white-label capabilities. That means you can brand the platform as your own, and either resell it to clients or earn monthly commissions as an affiliate.
For our business model, you’ll use just a few of GHL’s core features:
Website & funnel builder
Calendar & booking system
Automation tools
Client accounts (sub-accounts or affiliate sign-ups)
In short, GHL gives you everything you need to build, launch, and deliver an actual service to local businesses — without coding, without a team, and with recurring revenue built in.
Start with one type of local business to focus on — ideally something you’re familiar with or can easily reach in your area. Great starter niches include:
Real estate agents
Hairdressers & barbers
Dentists & chiropractors
HVAC & plumbing companies
Pet groomers or trainers
Using GoHighLevel, you build a basic but clean website (or just a landing page) for that niche. No design or coding skills required.
Make it mobile-friendly, add basic branding, and include a clear CTA like a contact form or appointment scheduler.
Your message: “Hey, I built a custom website for your business — it’s already live. Want to check it out?”
This flips the usual sales process. Instead of pitching a service, you’re offering value up front. Most business owners will at least take a look.
If they want to keep the site, they activate it by signing up for GHL via your affiliate link or as a sub-account. Either way, you get recurring income.
After onboarding, offer add-ons like:
SMS/text automation
Google review requests
Appointment reminders
Paid ads or SEO services
Build a landing page with a booking calendar for a real estate agent. Add automated reminders and follow-ups.
Why it works: Agents lose leads due to slow follow-up. This fixes that.
Earnings: $97/month per agent
Create a mobile site for a salon with booking built-in.
Why it works: Reduces phone traffic and adds professionalism.
Earnings: $44–$97/month + optional setup fee
Simple form + follow-up for quote requests, possibly with paid ads.
Why it works: Extra 1–2 leads/month easily justifies the cost.
Earnings: $100/month + optional ad management fees
One-page site with booking and contact info for a local groomer.
Why it works: Takes them from invisible to findable.
Earnings: $44/month + optional upsells
$44/month for Starter clients ($97 plan)
$119/month for Agency clients ($297 plan)
Example:
10 clients = $440/month
25 clients = $1,100/month
50 clients = $2,200/month
Pay $297/month to GHL, then resell to clients.
Example:
10 clients x $150/month = $1,500
Minus $297 = $1,203/month profit
30 clients = $4,503/month profit
Google review automation: +$25–$50/month
Ads management: +$200–$500/month
SEO/blog content: +$100–$300/month
Pick one industry you know or have access to.
Use GHL templates to build a demo page. Keep it clean and action-oriented.
Message or email local businesses:
“I built a demo website for your business — want to check it out?”
This creates curiosity and lowers resistance.
GoHighLevel – All-in-one platform (use your affiliate link)
Canva – Quick branding and visual assets
ChatGPT – Generate outreach scripts, content, and automation flows
GHL Snapshots – Save full site templates to reuse endlessly
Outreach Templates – DM or email scripts to pitch demos fast
This is a lean, repeatable, and scalable business model that solves a clear problem — and earns recurring income as a result.
✅ You help local businesses look professional and get more leads. ✅ They pay monthly for a website that actually works. ✅ You build once and get paid over and over.
It’s perfect for anyone with basic digital marketing skills who wants to earn $1K–$5K/month without building a massive agency. With GoHighLevel, a few templates, and a smart outreach plan — you’re in business.
Ready to start? Try GoHighLevel with a free trial and build your first demo today.
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