So, you have actually found out about GoHighLevel and now you’re wondering if it’s the best move for your company. Possibly somebody hyped it up. Perhaps you saw the buzz online regarding it being an “all-in-one” marketing solution. Regardless, you’re right here, looking for a real-deal failure. No fluff, no sugarcoating. GoHighLevel Vs ActiveCampaign..
Well, you’re in the best area.
Because after using GoHighLevel for a few years, I’ve seen it all– the highs, the frustrations, and the surprise gems. Let me stroll you via what it’s really like to use this beast of a system, so you can choose if it’s a clever suitable for you.
GoHighLevel: A Giant
Let’s not dance around it– GoHighLevel is hugely effective. It resembles providing your service a Pocket knife. You obtain CRM tools, marketing automation, funnels, appointment organizing, email and SMS campaigns, social media DMs, membership areas, websites, pipelines … the listing takes place.
Yet below’s the thing no person informs you upfront: it requires time to discover. You will not simply subscribe and immediately seem like a marketing wizard. There’s a contour. But if you want to climb it? The payoff is big.
What You’ll Love
You Can Ultimately Ditch All the Various Other Tools
Ever before feel like your organization is duct-taped along with 10 various apps? One for e-mails, one more for funnels, something else for text, and do not neglect your booking software. Oh, and your CRM.
Yeah … tiring.
GoHighLevel modifications that. It replaces practically whatever– except your repayment portal. (We’ll chat a lot more concerning that later on.) You will not have to manage tabs or hope Zapier doesn’t glitch out. Every little thing’s in one place. Which alone? Well worth the price of admission.
Seriously, I utilized to throw away hours babysitting integrations. Now, I don’t even consider it.
It Keeps Improving. Like, On a daily basis
Most platforms roll out updates a few times a year. Maybe once a quarter if you’re lucky.
GoHighLevel? They’re on lightning speed.
I have actually seen brand-new features decrease in the very same week– even on the same day– multiple times. One day it’s a new integration with Square, the next it’s upgraded video uploads, after that instantly there’s a new social reporting device. It’s wild.
The advancement group is constantly listening to users (yes, you) and really applying requests. You desire something added? There’s a good chance it’ll turn up on the roadmap and in fact obtain built. That type of responsiveness is uncommon.
Interact With Your Audience Every Method Feasible
This component? Substantial.
You’re not just stuck to e-mail and SMS anymore. GoHighLevel allows you speak to your individuals throughout platforms– telephone call, voicemail drops, Facebook DMs, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, site chat … the whole shebang.
And the most effective part? All those messages funnel right into one basic conversation tab. One inbox. No more searching down a roaming Instagram message or neglecting to respond to a message. It’s in place. Clean. Simple. Manageable.
SaaS Mode, The Big Leagues
This’s a game-changer if you’ve got entrepreneurial blood in your blood vessels.
SaaS mode allows you rebrand the system as your very own software and resell it. Seriously. You set your very own pricing, slap your own logo design on it, and boom– you have actually got a whole brand-new earnings stream.
It’s not quite “set it and forget it”, yet it’s definitely near-passive earnings. And unlike using services, where you’re limited by time and capacity, offering a white-labeled system ranges. Quick.
If you’re already serving clients or you have actually got a target market, this might unlock a totally new revenue layer for you.
Automation That Liberates Your Life
Ever get stuck doing the exact same uninteresting tasks over and over? Customer onboarding, follow-ups, rescheduling … it eats up your day before you even get to the enjoyable stuff.
GoHighLevel’s automation workflows solve that.
You can construct multi-step, multi-channel workflows that activate based upon actions– send a follow-up SMS after someone publications, nurture leads with email sequences, auto-tag get in touches with in your CRM, timetable appointments, you call it.
It’s effective– almost intimidatingly so in the beginning. But once you establish it up? Life-changing. You’ll question just how you ever handled without it.
It’s Not Just for Agencies; GoHighLevel Vs ActiveCampaign
Back in the very early days, GoHighLevel was clearly designed with digital marketing companies in mind. And yeah, it’s still awesome for firms. Now? It’s method more easily accessible.
If you run a regional organization– claim a dentist, a fitness studio, a property agency– this system can be your friend. You do not need a marketing degree to make it work for you.
Also much better, GoHighLevel uses “snapshots”– essentially prebuilt templates with funnels, automations, emails, and more customized for particular markets. Lots one up and you’re halfway done already.
And at $97/month for the starter plan? It’s a heck of an offer compared to assembling every little thing along with other tools that nickel and cent you into a $500 tech pile.
Now for the Not-So-Great Components
Alright, let’s be actual for a sec. GoHighLevel isn’t perfect. It’s loaded with power, however there are a couple of traits you should recognize before diving in.
Some Features Cost Extra
GoHighLevel bills additional for certain things– mostly e-mail, phone, SMS, and AI services. Not a ton of money, however it’s something to aspect into your spending plan.
What bugs me is that the pricing web page doesn’t really spell this out clearly. You have to dig via the aid center to figure it out. Directly? I believe they must be much more in advance concerning that.
Still, making use of Twilio or Mailgun with GoHighLevel is generally more affordable than going all-in on standalone systems. So in the grand scheme, you’re still most likely saving money.
The Client Support? It’s a Variety
Below’s where things get a little rocky.
On one hand, GoHighLevel offers Zoom assistance calls– which is remarkable and truthfully above and beyond what the majority of systems offer you.
However on the other hand? Their online conversation and SMS assistance can be frustratingly sluggish or purposeless. I have actually had to chase assistance representatives for follow-ups more than as soon as. And I’ve obtained text messages with flat-out wrong information (like informing me my free trial was ending … when it had not been).
So yeah– for vital stuff, book a Zoom. Do not rely on conversation GoHighLevel Vs ActiveCampaign.
The Training Products? Pretty Outdated
This is one of my most significant complaints.
Since GoHighLevel updates frequently, their help docs and video tutorials usually get left in the dust. You’ll be trying to comply with a tutorial, just to realize the screenshots and directions are from, like, 2021.
If you’re brand-new and counting on those resources, it can be irritating. That said, the community is active, and there are lots of updated walkthroughs drifting about on YouTube and Facebook teams. You’ll figure it out– simply prepare to Google a couple of points.
Stripe or Bust
Here’s a strange restriction: to make use of SaaS mode and a few of the rebilling features, you have to make use of Stripe.
Now, Stripe is fantastic if you remain in the U.S. or various other supported nations. However if you’re not? This could be a problem. There are various other settlement integrations like PayPal and now Square, however they don’t cover whatever (yet).
With any luck, that’ll alter quickly. Square integration is still brand-new, and there’s talk of broadening its functionality. Fingers went across.
It Can Be Overwhelming, Specifically for Newbies
Let me claim this loud and clear: GoHighLevel is not “plug and play”.
If you’re brand-new to sales funnels, automations, or CRMs, the learning curve is actual. You’re not going to grasp everything in a day.
Truthfully, do not also attempt. Start with the fundamentals– perhaps appointment organizing or funnel production– and develop from there. Trying to discover every little thing simultaneously is a dish for fatigue.
Additionally, the user interface isn’t super intuitive. Some settings are in your Agency view, others in your Sub-Accounts. Anticipate to feel a little lost initially. Absolutely regular.
Once it clicks? You’ll seem like a magician.
Final thought
Here’s the offer: GoHighLevel isn’t for everybody.
If you desire something dead-simple, like Mailchimp or Calendly, this probably isn’t the system for you. There’s excessive power under the hood for it to be “simple” out of package.
Yet if you’re building a major business and you desire one device to run the whole thing– marketing, CRM, sales, automations, assistance– after that of course, GoHighLevel is 100% worth a look.
I do not regret switching. Not even a little. And as soon as you master it? You’ll possibly question just how you ever lived without it.
So go on, take the leap. Just offer on your own time to learn the ropes.
You’ll thank yourself later on.