I’ve been using GoHighLevel for a few years, and I can honestly say it was one of my best decisions. However, despite being a fantastic platform, there are a handful of downsides to consider.
This review should help you decide if it’s right for your business.
Key Takeaways:
- GoHighLevel has three plans that start from $97/month
- Most platform features are unlimited on all plans
- Sell GoHighLeve as SaaS an unlimited number of times
GoHighLevel Is Our Top-Rated Platform, But It’s Not Perfect
There’s a reason why we placed GoHighLevel at the top spot of the SupplyGem “best platform” list. It offers exceptional value at a great price.
This “all-in-one” marketing, sales, and CRM platform delivers the goods and provides pretty much all the features you could ever want on an unlimited basis. Moreover, the development team works consistently to improve the tools and introduce new ones.
However, with so many features comes other challenges.
It’s definitely not the easiest platform to master. And, sometimes, it feels like it’s trying to be a “jack of all trades and a master of none.”
That said, if you’re looking for a complete business solution and already have some experience with these types of platforms, GoHighLevel is one of the best options out there.
First, the Good Stuff: What GoHighLevel Gets Right
Lives up to Its “All-In-One” Claim
This is what GoHighLevel replaces!
Many platforms try to claim they are an “all-in-one” solution, but when you start using them, you realize they are either too simplistic or lacking necessary features.
GoHighLevel is different. With the exception of a payment gateway, you can find everything you need without having to use any third-party apps.
Integrating multiple platforms gets complicated and messy. I prefer not to do it because it raises the risk of a connection going awry or a process not working as it should.
And, when dealing with several integrations, you’re also dealing with several user interfaces and customer service teams. Flipping back and forth between platforms is annoying and time-consuming.
With GoHighLevel, you only have to use one platform and contact one service team, which makes my life oh-so-much easier (and who doesn’t want an easy life?).
A Constantly Evolving Platform
Today’s GoHighLevel platform is a far cry from the GoHighLevel platform of two years ago. Yes, all platforms evolve, but GoHighLevel’s team appears to be in turbo mode and releases updates daily.
For example, at the time of writing this article, GoHighLevel introduced a new integration for Square, improved the course feature, upgraded video uploads, and released a social reporting feature—all in one day!
When GoHighLevel was first released, it was decidedly tough and clunky to use. I didn’t enjoy it much. However, the continual improvements have transformed it into a decent user experience with features that work and function well.
It’s hard to keep up with the changes, but I’ll take that any day over a static platform that doesn’t improve.
The Team Listens to Its Users
What I like most, though, is that almost all the improvements have been user-suggested.
The platform has a forum where users can put forward their ideas, and GoHighLevel will often implement them. It has a very active roadmap with lots of new stuff in the pipeline.
This means that the platform is shaped around what its actual users need, not what GoHighLevel thinks its users need. And, for me, that’s something quite rare.
Wide Range of Communication Methods
Since marketing revolves around communication, it always baffles me that many “marketing” platforms only provide email and SMS. The same goes for customer relationship management—I find many platforms really limit what I can do.
In contrast, GoHighLevel’s range of communication methods has been such a revelation for me. I can connect with my leads and customers in just about any way I choose.
This is what you can do all from within the platform:
- Phone contacts and leave voicemail drops
- Send SMS messages
- Use email blasts or sequences
- Integrate with and use WhatsApp
- Connect your Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts and DM your followers
- Use the website chat widget for live chat or SMS conversations
Better still, you have the conversation tab that pulls all your text-based messages into one place (email, SMS, social media, etc.) so you can reply to them all in one place. This is super convenient and helps me remember to respond.
SaaS Mode Is a Gamechanger
I admit that when I first started using GohighLevel, I didn’t really “get” SaaS mode. But, once I looked into it deeper, I realized what an opportunity it presented.
Imagine having a platform exactly like GoHighLevel with all its features, only it’s under your branding and sold at a price of your choice.
That’s exactly what SaaS mode is.
For a mere $497 per month, you can create your own pricing plans with customized features and sell “GoHighLevel” an unlimited number of times.
You know what that means? Unlimited potential revenue.
There are only so many clients you can take on and manage. But, with SaaS mode, you aren’t restricted because you’re simply selling the software. It’s not quite passive income, but it’s close.
Automate Everything
GoHighLevel’s workflow automation feature is overwhelming. However, take that as a positive because its possibilities are practically endless.
While it comes with a steep learning curve, it’s well worth getting to know since it can take most admin tasks off your hands.
Essentially, you can automate pretty much every feature on the platform. Here’s just a small sample of what is possible:
- Entire multi-channel marketing sequences and pipeline management
- AI-powered SMS conversation nurturing
- Appointment scheduling and booking
- Customer onboarding
- And way, way more!
Using this feature means I’m not wasting my time on boring and repetitive admin tasks. Instead, I can concentrate on the stuff that actually brings in the money.
A Common Misconception: GoHighLevel Is Not Just for Agencies
When GoHighLevel launched, it was decidedly aimed at digital marketing agencies. Its website stated so, and its features were definitely better suited to marketing professionals.
This has all changed now. GoHighLevel has broadened its reach and now promotes itself as a marketing and sales platform for all businesses.
And, it’s true. It is suitable for all entities that want a complete solution for managing their business online.
I actually think it’s particularly suited to local brick-and-mortar businesses.
To appeal to these businesses, the platform provides “snapshots.” These are prebuilt accounts for specific business niches that come with marketing campaigns and other elements already set up. You can also integrate with Google Business Profile and Yext to manage all your online listings and reviews.
Also, smaller businesses tend to lack the budget to hire a marketing and CRM agency. Yet, with GoHighLevel, they can get everything they need from just $97 per month, making it a really affordable option.
A Couple of Things to Watch Out For
As I said, GoHighLevel isn’t perfect, and I find a few things about the platform frustrating.
It’s Cheap, But Mind the Hidden Costs
GoHighLevel charges extra for using certain features. Namely, its email, phone, SMS, and AI services. So, this is something you have to bear in mind when considering your budget.
Yet, I will say that this is probably the least bothersome thing because the extra costs aren’t that much, and you don’t have to use the chargeable features if you don’t want to. Besides, using a third-party platform would cost extra anyway.
I felt this was worth mentioning because the GoHighLevel website does not make it clear that some features are chargeable. You have to dig into its help portal to find out the information.
I think the platform should be more upfront and transparent about this so potential customers know what to expect.
Customer Service Is Hit-And-Miss
On the one hand, I really love that the GoHighLevel team is willing to jump on a Zoom call with you to help you out. On the other hand, I get frustrated with the lack of responses I sometimes experience via their live chat and SMS service.
I have had to chase GoHighLevel on a few things a customer service agent said they were “looking into” and have had to push for a resolution.
I also receive random SMS messages containing clearly inaccurate information. For example, one SMS told me my free trial was ending when I had over two weeks left.
My advice here is to use the Zoom service or phone GoHighLevel for support. Don’t rely on SMS or chat because you won’t get very far.
Outdated Training Materials
One of the drawbacks of a platform that constantly updates is that its training materials are usually outdated.
Sometimes I encounter a walkthrough in the GoHighLevel portal that hasn’t been updated for a couple of years, and the information and screenshots are completely wrong.
As someone with a background in learning and development, I think it’s a big no-no to push out updates or new features without first updating the corresponding help resources.
GoHighLevel is complex, and its help portal is a vital resource for new users. It needs to be better organized and kept properly updated. And, the development team shouldn’t rush out platform changes without first making sure the correct training material is available.
If You Can’t Use Stripe, You’re Stuck
This is the one area where GoHighLevel can’t claim its “all-in-one” status. In fact, I think it’s pretty limited because the platform has established an over-reliance on Stripe.
A handful of other payment gateway integrations are available (like PayPal), but to use SaaS mode and rebilling, you have to use Stripe.
This places serious restrictions on those who live in areas where Stripe isn’t commonly used or available.
That said, this could all be about to change. I mentioned earlier in the article that GoHighLevel has just announced a new integration with Square. While it’s not yet available for SaaS and rebilling, there are plans to make it so.
Why Newbies Might Struggle with GoHighLevel
Feature Overwhelm
I firmly believe that GoHighLevel is worth the learning curve because it’s a platform you’re never likely to outgrow or have to change.
However, the learning curve is there, and it takes some effort to overcome—especially if you’re not acquainted with this type of software.
New users can quickly get overwhelmed with the sheer number of features (I know because it happened to me!) and be put off from using the platform.
My advice is to start with one feature. Learn it, and then move on to the next.
Do not start with automated workflows! Get to grips with the easier stuff first before trying out this tool.
Complicated User-Interface
Although the user interface of the GoHighLevel platform has improved a lot, it’s still not as user-friendly as it could be.
The interface places its features and feature settings in two different places, so finding what you are looking for can be confusing and take a while.
Also, account holders get an Agency account and sub-account. The Agency account gives you access to the overall settings and SaaS configurator, while the sub-accounts give you access to the platform’s core features and can be used with clients.
If you’re using GoHighLevel for your own business, you will have to frequently switch between the two, which can be a pain.
In all, I’d say it will take you a good week or two to get acquainted with the platform, so be sure to set the time aside to learn it properly.
Bottom Line: Is GoHighLevel Worth It?
Yes! Despite its drawbacks, no other platform comes close to the number of features GoHighLevel provides, and certainly not for such a great price.
I love GoHighLevel for its diversity and immense capabilities, and I don’t regret switching my business over to the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does GoHighLevel Cost?
GoHighLevel has three plans. The Starter plan costs $97 per month or $970 per year, The Unlimited plan costs $297 per month or $2,970 per year, and the Pro plan costs $497 per month or $4,970 per year.
Can I Try GoHighLevel for Free?
GoHighLevel does not offer a free plan, but you can try out the platform by signing up for a 30-day free trial.
