Should I Use GoHighLevel, HubSpot, or Something Else?

Let’s face it—choosing a CRM can feel overwhelming. With dozens of platforms claiming to be the “best,” it’s hard to tell what’ll actually work for a service business like yours.  If you’re a contractor, technician, or small service business owner, you don’t need fancy bells and whistles. You need:

• A way to track leads
• Automate follow-ups
• Book jobs without chasing
• And keep things from falling through the cracks

This guide breaks down GoHighLevel, HubSpot, and a few other CRMs based on what actually matters for trades and service industries.

Why This Decision Matters

Your CRM doesn’t just store contacts. It becomes the control panel for your entire business.

A bad CRM setup creates:

• Missed follow-ups
• Forgotten estimates
• Manual task overload
• Disconnected customer communication

The right CRM? Frees you up. Speeds things up. And scales with you.

Check out What Systems Do I Need to Grow? to learn how CRM is a core pillar.

GoHighLevel: Built for Agencies, Perfect for Trades

Pros:

• Call, SMS, email, booking, pipeline—all in one
• Automation builder with triggers and workflows
• Missed call text-back built in
• White-label option if you want to resell

Cons:

• Slight learning curve
• Not as polished visually as HubSpot

Best For:

Small to mid-size service businesses ready to automate without hiring a team.

Check out What CRM Should I Use? here for extended pros/cons.

HubSpot: Clean Interface, but Costly at Scale

Pros:

• Very user-friendly
• Strong email marketing and reporting tools
• App ecosystem and integrations

Cons:

• Limited features in free plan
• Pricing jumps quickly as you grow
• Fewer trade-specific features

Best For:

Businesses with in-house marketers and a budget for scaling software stacks.

Other Notable Mentions

Jobber:

• Designed specifically for field service management (plumbing, lawn care, HVAC)
• Built-in quoting, invoicing, and scheduling
• Less flexible for email/SMS marketing

Zoho CRM:

• Customizable and affordable
• Strong for tech-savvy owners
• Steeper learning curve

Housecall Pro:

• Field service focused
• Great app for on-site workers
• Fewer integrations

Real Example: What Happened When Burns Pest Elimination Switched to GoHighLevel

Burns Pest Elimination, a regional service company in Arizona, struggled with call response time and inconsistent follow-ups using spreadsheets and legacy tools.

After switching to GoHighLevel and automating their follow-up process, they:

• Reduced missed call response time by 60%
• Saw a 35% boost in booked appointments
• Centralized team communication across SMS, call, and email

Source: GHL Case Studies, 2023

Final Takeaway

There’s no perfect CRM. But there is a best-fit CRM for your business.

If you need:

• Easy lead capture
• Automated follow-up
• Texting and calling from one screen
• A single platform for job flow

…start with GoHighLevel.

If you want deep marketing analytics and have a bigger budget, HubSpot’s worth a look.

Or if your workflow is unique, tools like Jobber or Zoho might be your sweet spot.

Whatever you choose—make sure it supports the way you work.

Next Steps

Not sure which CRM is right for your business? Schedule a Business Audit with The Omnia Co. We’ll walk you through your workflow and recommend the right system to scale smarter.