Obtain your GHL API key and securely store it in Netlify as an environment variable to authorize requests to the Contacts API.
In Netlify, configure API credentials and environment variables to allow Netlify to call the GHL API on behalf of your app.
GET /contacts/:contactId; GET /contacts/:contactId/tasks; GET /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId; GET /contacts/:contactId/notes; GET /contacts/:contactId/notes/:id; GET /contacts/:contactId/appointments; GET /contacts/; GET /contacts/business/:businessId; POST /contacts/; PUT /contacts/:contactId; DELETE /contacts/:contactId; POST /contacts/:contactId/tasks; PUT /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId; PUT /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId/completed; DELETE /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId; POST /contacts/:contactId/tags
Netlify form submission triggers a POST to /contacts/ to create a new contact in GHL.
Then optionally create a follow-up task with POST /contacts/:contactId/tasks and attach tags with POST /contacts/:contactId/tags.
POST /contacts/
name, email, phone, company, custom fields
On Netlify update, call PUT /contacts/:contactId to sync changes.
Backdrop: update tasks with PUT /contacts/:contactId/tasks/:taskId as needed; ensure two-way sync if you have tasks in GHL.
PUT /contacts/:contactId
name, email, phone, tags, notes
On Netlify, fetch or pass notes/appointments and attach to contact; retrieve with GET /contacts/:contactId/notes or GET /contacts/:contactId/appointments
Use the notes endpoint to display context, or schedule appointments with available endpoints; you may also create tasks to remind follow-ups.
GET /contacts/:contactId/notes or GET /contacts/:contactId/appointments
contactId, noteId, appointmentId
Automate data flow between Netlify forms and your GHL Contacts database.
Reduce manual data entry and improve data accuracy with real-time sync.
Leverage standard endpoints to customize workflows without writing code.
This glossary defines common terms and processes used when integrating GHL with Netlify: endpoints, triggers, actions, and data fields.
Application Programming Interface— a set of rules for accessing the GHL Contacts API.
A callback mechanism used by Netlify to notify GHL of events.
A specific URL path in the API that performs a task.
Methods used to verify identity and authorize requests (API keys, tokens).
Whenever a Netlify form is submitted, create a new contact in GHL and assign a welcome task.
Sync name/email changes back to GHL to keep your CRM current.
Attach Netlify notes to contacts and create follow-up tasks triggered by form events.
Enter your GHL API key in Netlify environment variables and test the connection.
Map Netlify form fields to GHL contact fields (name, email, etc.).
Set up Netlify form submission to trigger GHL actions like create contact, add tasks, etc.
No extensive coding is required. Netlify form handlers and webhooks can trigger GHL actions with simple HTTP requests. Use Netlify secrets to securely store your API keys and test your integration in a staging environment. Leverage templates or prebuilt payloads to speed setup and ensure consistent data mapping across forms and contacts.
Common workflows use POST /contacts/ to create a contact and PUT /contacts/:contactId to update existing records. You can add tasks with POST /contacts/:contactId/tasks and attach tags with POST /contacts/:contactId/tags. Read operations use GET on /contacts/:contactId, and you can retrieve notes and appointments with GET /contacts/:contactId/notes and GET /contacts/:contactId/appointments.
Security starts with storing API keys as Netlify environment variables and granting minimal required permissions. Rotate keys regularly and implement access controls. Consider using request signing or webhooks with verification to protect data in transit.
Notes and appointments can be surfaced by GET /contacts/:contactId/notes and GET /contacts/:contactId/appointments. You can display this context in Netlify forms or dashboards and create tasks to follow up on important notes or meetings.
If a contact already exists, search by a unique field (like email) before creating. If found, use PUT /contacts/:contactId to update the existing record instead of creating a duplicate. This preserves history and avoids duplicates.
When an API error occurs, log the status and message, surface a clear user-facing error, and implement exponential backoff retries. Validate data payloads and ensure required fields are present before sending requests.
API documentation for the Contacts API is available in the GHL developer portal. It covers authentication methods, rate limits, and detailed endpoint payloads. For Netlify-specific guidance, consult our integration guides and example payloads.
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Complete Operations Catalog - 126 Actions & Triggers
