HighLevel is an all-in-one marketing, sales, and automation platform that provides businesses with a fully integrated CRM, email marketing tools, website and funnel builders, membership sites, payment processing, and more (a lot more).
Many people have asked me, “Doug, what is HighLevel?” and whether they should be using it. In this guide, I’ll break down what HighLevel is, who it’s for, and how I personally use it to run my business and automate key processes.
HighLevel: Not Just Another WordPress Tool
I get asked a lot whether HighLevel is a WordPress plugin—it’s not. It’s a standalone SaaS (Software as a Service) platform that operates independently of WordPress. Unlike plugins like FluentCRM, WooCommerce, or SureCart, HighLevel functions as a fully separate system that integrates with various tools and platforms.
Think of it as an off-the-shelf all-in-one business tool that combines:
✅ CRM (Customer Relationship Management) – Manage leads, customers, and business relationships.
✅ Email Marketing – Automate email sequences, build campaigns, and manage lists.
✅ Funnels & Landing Pages – Create, test, and optimize sales funnels and checkout flows.
✅ Membership & Course Hosting – Sell and deliver online courses and memberships.
✅ E-Commerce & Payment Processing – Process payments directly with Stripe and other providers.
✅ Community Features – Build and manage communities similar to Circle or Facebook Groups.
✅ Call Tracking & SMS Marketing – Manage outbound/inbound calling and SMS messaging.
✅ AI Chatbots & Automation – Automate customer interactions using AI-driven chatbots.
✅ Reputation & Review Management – Request and manage reviews across Google, Facebook, etc.
It does a lot, and while it’s a jack of all trades, which usually implies it’s a master of none, it does certain things at an exceptionally masterful level.
What HighLevel Does Really Well
While HighLevel is packed with features, there are three areas where it truly shines:
1. CRM & Contact Management
HighLevel’s CRM is powerful, rivaling top competitors like HubSpot and ActiveCampaign. Businesses can:
- Store detailed customer profiles, including purchase history, form submissions, and engagement tracking.
- Automate lead management with customizable pipelines and workflows.
- Create smart lists to segment leads based on tags, behaviors, and custom fields.
2. Email Marketing & Automation
Unlike other platforms that charge based on subscriber count, HighLevel lets you store unlimited contacts and only charges for the emails you send. This saves businesses hundreds of dollars per month compared to platforms like ConvertKit or ActiveCampaign.
- Build email sequences for onboarding, sales, or newsletters.
- Use trigger-based automations (e.g., send an email when a user purchases a product).
- Track email open rates, clicks, and engagement metrics.
💰 Cost Comparison:
For 5,000 email subscribers, competitors charge:
- ActiveCampaign: $70–$90/month (without CRM)
- ConvertKit: $79/month
- HighLevel: $0 per subscriber + only pay for emails sent (usually $8–$12/month in my case).
3. Automations & Workflows
HighLevel’s workflow builder is one of the most advanced automation tools available, allowing users to:
- Trigger actions when users buy products, fill out forms, or engage with content.
- Segment contacts based on activity and dynamically adjust email sequences.
- Send SMS notifications, call tracking, and chatbot interactions.
- Integrate with external platforms like SureCart, ThriveCart, and Circle for a fully automated system.
📌 Why I Love HighLevel Workflows:
- It acts as a bridge between my CRM, email marketing, and payment tools.
- It removes the need for Zapier or Make for many common interactions you’d normally need with third-party tools and automations.
Who is HighLevel For?
A common misconception is that HighLevel is only for agencies or affiliate marketers. While agencies use it heavily, HighLevel is designed for any business owner who wants the features HighLevel offers.
✅ Great for:
✔ Solopreneurs – Manage leads, send automated emails, and build landing pages.
✔ Course Creators – Sell and host courses without paying for Kajabi or Teachable.
✔ Coaches & Consultants – Automate scheduling, follow-ups, and CRM processes.
✔ Agencies – Offer white-labeled CRM and marketing automation to clients.
✔ E-Commerce Brands – Track orders, send abandoned cart emails, and manage customers.
Multiply the benefits if you need more than one of the above.
HighLevel Pricing Breakdown
HighLevel offers flat-rate pricing instead of charging per subscriber or funnel.
| Plan | Price | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Plan | $97/month | Solopreneurs, coaches, course creators who need a CRM, email marketing, and automation tools. |
| Pro Plan | $297/month | Agencies and businesses managing multiple brands with white-label features. |
| SaaS Plan | $497/month | Agencies wanting to resell HighLevel as their own platform in an automated way. |
💡 Alternative Pricing: Get HighLevel for $50/month
Through Convology+ All Access, you can get HighLevel for $50/month, including all core features but limited to a single account. Non-members can still sign up under my agency account to get access to Convology+, my HighLevel Mastery course, and weekly Q&A Office Hours.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use HighLevel?
🚀 HighLevel is a game-changer for businesses looking to consolidate marketing, sales, and automation into one platform. If you:
✔ Need a powerful CRM + email marketing tool that scales affordably.
✔ Want to automate workflows without robust third-party integration.
✔ Run an agency or online business that benefits from HighLevel’s all-in-one system.
Then YES, HighLevel is worth trying.
💡 If you’re interested in using HighLevel at a lower cost, check out my HighLevel Services.
Have questions? check out my HighLevel video playlist for in-depth tutorials as well as my other HighLevel tutorials here on my website! 🚀