Curious if Go High Level CRM is right for your business? I was curious about the hype when my Uber driver mentioned she was using it to start a side hustle. So in this article, I take a look at Go High Level CRM, an all-in-one tool designed to help digital marketing agencies and SMBs streamline their operations. I’ll cover its main features, setup process, and overall usability to help you determine if it’s worth your investment.
Key Takeaways
Go High Level CRM is an all-in-one platform primarily designed for digital marketing agencies, offering features like lead capture, marketing automation, and customer relationship management.
Despite its robust toolset, users face challenges with a steep learning curve, an unintuitive interface, and issues with email deliverability, which can affect campaign effectiveness.
The platform’s pricing can be misleading due to hidden costs, making alternatives like HubSpot and GreenRope more attractive for budget-conscious users.
Introducing Go High Level CRM
Go High Level CRM serves as an all-in-one platform to help businesses grow by consolidating their marketing tools and strategies. This bold claim sets high expectations, especially for those tired of juggling multiple software solutions. The platform aims to cater specifically to digital marketing agencies, offering them a comprehensive solution to enhance client retention and scale operations.
At its core, Go High Level CRM offers functionalities that include:
Capturing leads through landing pages
Surveys
Forms
Calendars
An inbound phone system
All aimed at turning leads into customers. The promise of improved results and enhanced client retention, along with the integration of various marketing tools into a single platform, is a significant selling point in optimizing sales processes. However, whether these claims hold up under scrutiny is something we will put to the test.
The target audience for Go High Level CRM is predominantly digital marketing agencies, but its robust features could also appeal to small and medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one marketing solution. Features like marketing automation, customer relationship management, and an integrated funnel builder make it a compelling option for agencies looking to streamline operations and enhance customer relationships.
Key Features and Claims
HighLevel boasts a range of tools designed to capture leads and automate marketing efforts. From landing page builders to appointment scheduling and automated messaging systems, the platform aims to cover all bases. Automated messaging methods encompass voicemail drops, forced calls, SMS, emails, and Facebook Messenger. These features help facilitate robust follow-up campaigns, nurturing leads into customers.
One of the standout claims of Go High Level is its scalability. It offers unlimited users, accounts, and contacts, making it appealing for growing companies. The centralized communication feature allows users to view conversations from multiple channels in one place, streamlining customer relationship management. Seamless communication integration is an exciting feature to test.
The platform also leverages AI technology to enhance its messaging capabilities. Features like AI chatbots via Google’s Dialogue Flow are designed to provide more personalized and efficient customer interactions. Go High Level also provides fully automated booking for leads and prospects, simplifying appointment scheduling and follow-ups.
Support for API integrations enhances the platform’s versatility for various marketing needs. The ability to create detailed nurture sequences and trigger-based campaign management is a notable advantage for marketers aiming to optimize their campaigns. A 14-day free trial allows companies to explore these features without immediate financial commitment.
Initial Setup Process
Setting up Go High Level CRM starts with a free trial and a setup call to facilitate account creation. This step aims to make onboarding smooth for new clients. The platform also offers a ‘done for you’ service to help users set up their software efficiently, which includes configuring tax settings in Stripe. Such hands-on support is invaluable for businesses aiming for a quick start.
One of the standout features of the setup process is the ability to import data from previous marketing tools via a one-click import feature. This simplifies the transition for businesses switching from other CRM systems.
Conducting thorough tests during setup ensures all data is correctly imported and the system meets specific needs. Verifying data integrity and ensuring accurate configuration are crucial to avoid future issues.
Installation and Configuration
The installation and configuration of Go High Level CRM in SaaS mode require agencies to create an agency sub-account and activate the telephony system. This step is crucial for setting up the CRM to manage client interactions effectively. Additionally, the platform offers a white-labeling option, allowing agencies to customize the login domain and remove all HighLevel branding. This feature benefits agencies aiming to present a unified brand experience to their clients.
Connecting a Stripe account is crucial for processing payments within Go High Level CRM’s SaaS setup. This integration ensures efficient management of financial transactions. General business settings and website domain setup are also crucial for configuring the CRM for client use. These settings lay the foundation for a smooth operational workflow, integrating all business aspects into the platform.
The one-click import option simplifies integrating other marketing tools into Go High Level. It simplifies consolidating various marketing resources into a single platform. Setting up a calendar, though optional, enhances functionality by enabling in-person demos and better appointment management.
A workflow setup is recommended to notify agencies of new sign-ups, ensuring efficient onboarding. Users can rely on a dedicated support team available around the clock during the setup process.
User Interface and Design
Go High Level features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, simplifying the creation of landing pages and forms. This is a significant advantage for marketers needing to build and deploy campaigns quickly. However, the platform’s design feels somewhat unfinished, indicating it may still be under development. This can be a drawback for users expecting a polished, seamless user experience.
A primary challenge with Go High Level’s interface is the disjointed navigation complicating simple tasks. Editing workflows often requires navigating a poorly structured menu system, frustrating users. This lack of intuitive design hinders productivity and steepens the learning curve.
The interface is described as complicated and unintuitive, making navigation difficult. This complexity is a significant barrier for new users struggling to find needed features. Despite its powerful capabilities, the user experience is marred by these design flaws, detracting from its overall effectiveness.
The steep learning curve with Go High Level CRM is another notable issue. Mastering the platform’s powerful tools requires a considerable investment of time and effort. This can deter businesses looking for a quick and easy marketing solution. While the platform’s design and functionality hold promise, the user experience leaves much to be desired.
Core Functionalities
Go High Level CRM offers robust tools for capturing leads, including a Page Builder, surveys, and forms. These tools streamline lead generation, making it easier for businesses to attract and engage potential clients. Its funnels support lead capture, booking sequences, and payment processing, offering a comprehensive solution for managing sales funnels.
One of the standout features of Go High Level is its support for multi-channel follow-up campaigns. It enhances lead engagement through SMS, email, and social media, all from a single dashboard. This centralized approach simplifies managing customer interactions and maintaining consistent communication across multiple channels.
The CRM’s built-in appointment scheduling feature is also valuable. It integrates with calendars to prevent double bookings and ensures efficient appointment management. Stripe integration streamlines payment processing for appointments and services. These functionalities make Go High Level a versatile tool for managing customer relationships and optimizing marketing efforts.
Membership and Course Management
One of the unique features of Go High Level CRM is its ability to create courses and membership areas, offering both free and paid options. This functionality enables marketers to deliver valuable content to their audience, such as HR training, new hire orientations, or video courses. Users create courses by entering details like the title, description, and content, facilitating easy management and updates.
Membership areas allow exclusive content access, providing an additional revenue stream for businesses. Courses can have flexible pricing options, including one-time fees or recurring subscriptions, enabling effective content monetization. Course creators can reorder courses on the Learning Page for the most beneficial sequence.
Features like unlimited video hosting and unlimited accounts make Go High Level a scalable solution for businesses of all sizes. Clients manage their rebilling settings through the platform, viewing charges and adjusting billing preferences.
Automatic notifications for successful payments and subscription cancellations keep all parties informed. These features make Go High Level a robust tool for managing memberships and courses.
Real-World Performance
In real-world scenarios, Go High Level CRM’s automation workflows have proven to be effective for onboarding new email subscribers and clients, as well as automating follow-ups. The dashboard acts as a command center, displaying visual sales and performance data, including sales opportunities and conversion metrics. This centralized view helps businesses track progress and make data-driven decisions.
However, users have reported deliverability issues and a significant drop in email open rates after migrating. These challenges have impacted email marketing performance, highlighting a critical area for improvement.
Despite its potential, overall performance in lead conversions and email metrics shows significant challenges needing to be addressed.
Challenges and Limitations
One primary challenge with Go High Level is its pricing, often considered high compared to competitors. The base cost can be deceptive; additional charges for emails and deliverability add-ons lead to unexpected costs that can add up to hundreds of dollars. This pricing structure may deter small business owners and other potential users from committing to the platform.
The steep learning curve and unintuitive interface are significant limitations. Users frequently express frustration with the platform’s complexity. After one month, some users regret switching to Go High Level, citing broken features and poor user experience. The support team attributing issues to server problems further undermines trust in the platform’s reliability.
Deliverability issues with email automation are a major concern. Users have encountered problems with sending irrelevant emails to unintended recipients. This unreliability makes Go High Level unsuitable for mission-critical workflows. Despite potential time savings from automation workflows, these challenges and limitations significantly impact overall effectiveness.
Overall Assessment
Go High Level CRM aims to replace multiple software tools, potentially offering cost savings for subscribers. However, the pricing structure can be misleading; additional costs for features like email broadcasting lead to unexpectedly high expenses. Users find the advertised low cost does not reflect the total expenses incurred.
Based on the review, Go High Level CRM is not recommended due to its numerous shortcomings. While the pipeline feature offers insights into revenue dynamics, hidden fees associated with email sends make it less attractive.
When considering alternatives, factors such as pricing, features, ease of use, and customer support quality are essential. The vague responses from the support team about ongoing issues lead to a lack of trust in Go High Level’s reliability.
Recommendations and Alternatives
User feedback is encouraged through a dedicated board, allowing customers to communicate directly with the development team. However, for those seeking alternatives, HubSpot offers a more extensive free plan than Go High Level, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users. GreenRope includes more integrated features at a lower price point, providing a cost-effective option for businesses.
Keap’s automation capabilities are often praised for being more user-friendly than those of Go High Level. Capsule CRM is another alternative, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a straightforward CRM solution. HubSpot CRM offers a free plan but can become expensive with advanced features, making it suitable for businesses that can justify higher costs.
Pipedrive CRM specializes in sales process management, providing a visual sales pipeline for enhanced tracking. Keap CRM is known for its comprehensive features but may overwhelm new users due to its complexity and learning curve. When selecting a CRM, factors such as data analytics, integrations, customization options, user experience, pricing, and security should be considered.
Wrapping Up…
Go High Level CRM offers a range of powerful tools and features designed to streamline marketing efforts and enhance customer relationships. However, its high pricing, steep learning curve, and reliability issues make it a challenging option for many businesses. Alternatives like HubSpot, GreenRope, Keap, Capsule CRM, and Pipedrive offer varying features and price points, providing options for different business needs. Ultimately, the choice of CRM should be based on a careful assessment of your specific requirements and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Go High Level CRM suitable for small businesses?
Go High Level CRM can be less suitable for small businesses due to its high pricing and steep learning curve. If you’re seeking a more budget-friendly and user-friendly option, you might want to explore other solutions.
What are the main challenges users face with Go High Level CRM?
The main challenges users face with Go High Level CRM include a steep learning curve and an unintuitive interface, alongside unexpected costs and email deliverability problems. These issues can make it tough to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities.
How does Go High Level CRM support marketing agencies?
Go High Level CRM is a game-changer for marketing agencies, providing tools for lead capture, automated follow-ups, and centralized communication. This makes managing client campaigns easier and helps boost client retention.
Are there any alternatives to Go High Level CRM?
Absolutely, there are several great alternatives to Go High Level CRM such as HubSpot, GreenRope, Keap, Capsule CRM, and Pipedrive. They each have unique features and pricing options to suit different business needs.
What are the main features of Go High Level CRM?
Go High Level CRM stands out with its automated messaging, multi-channel follow-up campaigns, and easy appointment scheduling. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with payment processors like Stripe, making it a powerful tool for managing your customer relationships.
