So, you’ve heard about GoHighLevel and currently you’re questioning if it’s the right move for your company. Possibly somebody hyped it up. Maybe you saw the buzz online regarding it being an “all-in-one” marketing service. Regardless, you’re right here, looking for a real-deal breakdown. No fluff, no sugarcoating. GoHighLevel Vs Podium..
Well, you’re in the right place.
Because after utilizing GoHighLevel for a couple of years, I have actually seen it all– the highs, the headaches, and the covert gems. Let me stroll you via what it’s actually like to use this monster of a platform, so you can choose if it’s a smart suitable for you.
GoHighLevel: A Powerhouse
Let’s not hem and haw it– GoHighLevel is hugely powerful. It’s like offering your service a Pocket knife. You obtain CRM devices, marketing automation, funnels, visit organizing, email and SMS campaigns, social media sites DMs, subscription locations, sites, pipelines … the listing goes on.
However below’s the thing no person tells you ahead of time: it takes time to learn. You will not just register and quickly feel like a marketing wizard. There’s a curve. But if you agree to climb it? The payback allows.
What You’ll Love
You Can Ultimately Ditch All the Other Tools
Ever seem like your service is duct-taped together with 10 different applications? One for emails, an additional for funnels, something else for text, and do not forget your booking software program. Oh, and your CRM.
Yeah … exhausting.
GoHighLevel adjustments that. It replaces practically every little thing– except your payment portal. (We’ll chat extra about that later.) You won’t have to manage tabs or hope Zapier does not problem out. Whatever remains in one place. Which alone? Worth the rate of admission.
Seriously, I utilized to waste hours babysitting integrations. Now, I don’t also consider it.
It Keeps Getting Better. Like, Each day
A lot of platforms turn out updates a couple of times a year. Possibly as soon as a quarter if you’re lucky.
GoHighLevel? They’re on terminal velocity.
I’ve seen new features decrease in the exact same week– also on the exact same day– multiple times. Eventually it’s a brand-new integration with Square, the following it’s updated video uploads, after that suddenly there’s a brand-new social coverage device. It’s wild.
The growth group is frequently paying attention to individuals (yes, you) and really applying requests. You desire something added? There’s a likelihood it’ll appear on the roadmap and actually obtain built. That type of responsiveness is unusual.
Communicate With Your Target Market Every Way Possible
This component? Enormous.
You’re not just stuck to e-mail and SMS any longer. GoHighLevel allows you speak to your individuals throughout platforms– call, voicemail declines, Facebook DMs, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, site conversation … the whole shebang.
And the very best component? All those messages funnel right into one easy discussion tab. One inbox. No more hunting down a roaming Instagram message or failing to remember to reply to a text. It’s in place. Tidy. Simple. Manageable.
SaaS Mode, The Big Leagues
This’s a game-changer if you’ve got entrepreneurial blood in your veins.
SaaS mode allows you rebrand the system as your very own software program and resell it. Seriously. You set your own pricing, slap your very own logo on it, and boom– you’ve got an entire new profits stream.
It’s not quite “establish it and forget it”, however it’s absolutely near-passive earnings. And unlike offering services, where you’re restricted by time and ability, marketing a white-labeled system ranges. Fast.
If you’re already serving clients or you’ve got an audience, this could unlock an entirely new revenue layer for you.
Automation That Maximizes Your Life
Ever before get stuck doing the exact same monotonous jobs over and over? Client onboarding, follow-ups, rescheduling … it eats up your day before you even reach the fun things.
GoHighLevel’s automation workflows fix that.
You can develop multi-step, multi-channel workflows that activate based upon activities– send out a follow-up SMS after someone publications, support leads via email sequences, auto-tag get in touches with in your CRM, routine visits, you call it.
It’s powerful– nearly intimidatingly so initially. Once you establish it up? Life-altering. You’ll wonder exactly how you ever before managed without it.
It’s Not Just for Agencies; GoHighLevel Vs Podium
Back in the very early days, GoHighLevel was clearly made with digital marketing companies in mind. And yeah, it’s still killer for companies. Today? It’s method extra obtainable.
If you run a regional business– say a dentist, a health and fitness studio, a property agency– this platform can be your best friend. You don’t require a marketing degree to make it work for you.
Even better, GoHighLevel supplies “snapshots”– essentially prebuilt templates with funnels, automations, emails, and much more customized for certain sectors. Lots one up and you’re halfway done currently.
And at $97/month for the starter plan? It’s a heck of a deal contrasted to piecing every little thing together with other tools that nickel and penny you right into a $500 technology pile.
Now for the Not-So-Great Parts
Alright, let’s be actual for a sec. GoHighLevel isn’t perfect. It’s packed with power, but there are a couple of peculiarities you must know before diving in.
Some Features Price Extra
GoHighLevel bills extra for sure things– mostly e-mail, phone, SMS, and AI solutions. Not a lots of money, yet it’s something to element right into your budget.
What pests me is that the pricing page does not actually mean this out clearly. You need to dig via the help center to figure it out. Directly? I believe they must be much more in advance concerning that.
Still, utilizing Twilio or Mailgun with GoHighLevel is usually less costly than going all-in on standalone platforms. So in the grand scheme, you’re still probably saving money.
The Customer Support? It’s a Variety
Here’s where things get a little rough.
On one hand, GoHighLevel provides Zoom support calls– which is incredible and truthfully above and beyond what a lot of platforms provide you.
But on the other hand? Their real-time chat and SMS support can be frustratingly slow-moving or purposeless. I’ve had to chase assistance associates for follow-ups greater than when. And I’ve obtained text with flat-out wrong info (like telling me my free trial was finishing … when it had not been).
So yeah– for vital stuff, book a Zoom. Don’t depend on conversation GoHighLevel Vs Podium.
The Training Materials? Pretty Outdated
This is among my biggest gripes.
Because GoHighLevel updates continuously, their aid docs and video tutorials usually obtain left in the dust. You’ll be attempting to follow a tutorial, just to understand the screenshots and guidelines are from, like, 2021.
If you’re all new and relying upon those resources, it can be irritating. That claimed, the community is energetic, and there are lots of upgraded walkthroughs floating about on YouTube and Facebook groups. You’ll figure it out– just be ready to Google a couple of things.
Stripe or Bust
Right here’s a strange constraint: to utilize SaaS mode and a few of the rebilling features, you have to make use of Stripe.
Now, Stripe is great if you remain in the U.S. or various other sustained countries. Yet if you’re not? This could be a trouble. There are other payment integrations like PayPal and currently Square, however they do not cover everything (yet).
Ideally, that’ll transform soon. Square integration is still brand-new, and there’s talk of increasing its capability. Fingers went across.
It Can Be Overwhelming, Specifically for Newbies
Let me state this loud and clear: GoHighLevel is not “plug and play”.
If you’re new to sales funnels, automations, or CRMs, the learning curve is genuine. You’re not mosting likely to grasp everything in a day.
Truthfully, do not even try. Beginning with the essentials– perhaps appointment organizing or funnel creation– and develop from there. Attempting to find out whatever at the same time is a dish for exhaustion.
Additionally, the user interface isn’t extremely user-friendly. Some settings are in your Agency view, others in your Sub-Accounts. Anticipate to really feel a little lost initially. Entirely normal.
But once it clicks? You’ll feel like a magician.
Final thought
Here’s the deal: GoHighLevel isn’t for every person.
If you desire something dead-simple, like Mailchimp or Calendly, this probably isn’t the platform for you. There’s too much power under the hood for it to be “easy” out of the box.
Yet if you’re building a major company and you want one device to run the whole point– marketing, CRM, sales, automations, support– then indeed, GoHighLevel is 100% worth a look.
I don’t regret changing. Not even a little. And as soon as you get the hang of it? You’ll most likely ask yourself how you ever before lived without it.
So go on, take the jump. Just give yourself time to discover the ropes.
You’ll thank yourself later on.