GHL VA vs. In-House Support: Which Is More Cost-Effective?
Hiring more people doesn't always mean getting more done.
In fact, many businesses are wasting thousands of dollars every year on full-time, in-house employees they don’t fully utilize. And yet, agency owners still hesitate to try virtual assistant services, especially when it comes to specialized tools like GoHighLevel. Why is that?
Because the idea of letting someone work remotely on your CRM, without being physically present in your office, still feels unfamiliar and even risky for some.
But here's what’s really happening in today’s fast-moving digital world: smart businesses are cutting costs and getting more efficient by hiring GoHighLevel virtual assistants instead of full-time, in-house support.
This blog explores the true cost-effectiveness of hiring a GHL VA vs. in-house support. For agency owners, marketing teams, or entrepreneurs using GoHighLevel, the right support model can make or break your bottom line.
Let’s dive in.
Related Post: How to Collaborate Effectively if Your Team Is Remote?
What Does a GoHighLevel VA Do?
A GoHighLevel virtual assistant is a remote team member trained specifically to work inside the GoHighLevel platform. These VAs handle tasks that would usually require hours of manual input from you or your in-house staff. Since they already know the system, they can get to work immediately, saving you time, energy, and money.
Here’s a breakdown of what a GoHighLevel VA can help with:
Set Up Sales Funnels and Automations
A GoHighLevel VA can build your entire sales funnel from start to finish. They know how to connect landing pages, forms, and triggers to automatically guide leads through your process. You don’t have to worry about how the tech works because they’ll set it up for you.
Manage and Update CRM Contacts and Pipelines
Keeping your CRM clean and organized is key to making smart business decisions. A GHL VA can regularly update your contact lists, manage your sales pipelines, and move leads through each stage. This ensures no potential client gets lost or forgotten.
Send and Schedule Emails, Texts, and Follow-Ups
Automated communication helps you stay in touch with leads and clients. A GoHighLevel virtual assistant can schedule your email and SMS campaigns, build follow-up sequences, and monitor replies so your audience always hears from you at the right time.
Create Snapshots and Custom Workflows
Snapshots allow you to reuse systems you’ve already built. Your GHL VA can create and manage snapshots to save time and duplicate successful setups across clients or projects. They also build custom workflows to automate client journeys, making your systems more efficient.
Maintain Appointment Booking Systems
If you use GoHighLevel’s calendar features, your GHL VA can manage appointment links, sync calendars, send reminders, and update availability. This helps you avoid double bookings or missed calls, giving your business a more professional presence.
Manage Client Onboarding Processes Inside GoHighLevel
Bringing new clients on board should be smooth and organized. A GHL VA can set up onboarding pipelines, automate welcome messages, send intake forms, and track progress. This creates a better client experience without adding more work to your plate.
Provide Ongoing Campaign Reporting and System Maintenance
Your GHL VA can generate reports that show campaign performance, system activity, and conversion rates. They also help with regular maintenance like checking automations, fixing errors, and making sure everything is running the way it should.
Businesses that use GoHighLevel virtual assistant services often find they can get more done in less time, with fewer internal resources. And because these VAs are already trained in the platform, they don’t need the weeks of onboarding that most new hires require.
In-House Support Pros and Cons
When deciding between GHL VA vs. in-house support, some business owners still lean toward traditional in-office staff. While this can work for certain operations, it’s important to fully understand the pros and cons before committing. In-house employees can offer unique advantages, but they also come with higher expenses and more management responsibilities.
Pros of In-House Support
Real-Time Collaboration
Having a team member in the same office allows for instant feedback and quick problem-solving. You can discuss projects, review work, and make adjustments in real time without waiting for messages to be read online. This can be especially helpful for urgent situations or complex projects. For businesses that thrive on fast back-and-forth communication, in-house staff can provide a sense of immediacy.
Customized Training
An in-house hire can be trained from the ground up to follow your exact processes and preferences. This means they’ll understand not just the technical side of the job but also the unique ways your company likes things done. While this can take more time initially, it ensures the employee is fully aligned with your business goals. You can also adapt their responsibilities over time as your business grows.
Stronger Team Culture
Working in the same physical space can help employees feel more connected to the team. Casual conversations, shared breaks, and in-person meetings often lead to stronger workplace relationships. This sense of belonging can boost morale and job satisfaction. For some businesses, these personal bonds can lead to better teamwork and loyalty.
Quick Access to Resources
When employees are in the office, they have immediate access to documents, equipment, and physical tools. There’s no need to send files back and forth or wait for shipping when something is needed. This can speed up certain types of work that depend on in-person resources. It also makes it easier to troubleshoot technical problems with equipment.
Cons of In-House Support
Higher Salary Costs
Full-time in-house employees typically require higher monthly salaries than VAs. In addition to their base pay, you may need to offer raises over time to stay competitive. This creates a larger and ongoing financial commitment. For small businesses or startups, this can strain budgets quickly.
Benefits and Taxes
Hiring in-house means you are responsible for paying employee benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and retirement contributions. You’ll also need to handle payroll taxes and any legal employment requirements. These costs add up and can significantly increase the total expense of hiring someone. Over a year, this can represent thousands of dollars in additional spending.
Longer Training Time
If your new employee isn’t familiar with GoHighLevel, you may spend weeks or even months training them before they can work independently. During this time, productivity can be slower and mistakes more frequent. You’ll also need to invest your own time or another employee’s time in training. For busy business owners, this can be a major drawback.
Underutilized Hours
Not every day in business is packed with tasks that require a full-time employee’s attention. This means there will be times when you’re paying for hours in which little or no productive work is done. Over time, this underutilization can waste money and reduce your return on investment.
Limited GoHighLevel Expertise
It can be difficult to find an in-house hire who already has GoHighLevel experience. This often means you’ll either compromise on skill level or spend more time and money on training. Without the right experience, your employee might take longer to complete tasks or make costly mistakes. For a specialized software like GoHighLevel, a lack of expertise can slow growth.
GoHighLevel Virtual Assistants Pros and Cons
If you’re evaluating GHL VA vs. in-house support, hiring a GoHighLevel VA offers many benefits, especially in terms of cost and speed of setup. However, it’s still important to consider the potential drawbacks. The right choice will depend on your business needs, priorities, and preferences.
Related Post: Benefits of Working with a GoHighLevel VA
Pros of GoHighLevel Virtual Assistants
Pre-Trained in GoHighLevel
A GoHighLevel virtual assistant is already skilled in using the platform, meaning they can start delivering results from day one. You won’t have to spend weeks teaching them how to navigate features or set up automations. This can save you a lot of time and reduce the learning curve. For agencies that need immediate support, this is a major advantage.
Pay Only for the Hours You Need
With a GHL VA, you’re not locked into paying for 40 hours a week if you don’t need it. You can choose a plan that matches your workload and budget, whether that’s a few hours a week or a full-time arrangement. This flexibility allows you to scale up or down as needed. It also ensures you’re only paying for productive time.
No Office Overhead
Since GHL VAs work remotely, you don’t have to provide them with a desk, computer, or other office equipment. You also avoid expenses like utilities, office supplies, and maintenance. This can significantly lower your operational costs over time. For businesses trying to stay lean, this is a huge cost-saving factor.
Scalable Support
As your business grows, you can easily add more VA hours or bring in additional virtual assistants. You’re not limited by physical space or hiring timelines. This makes it easier to handle sudden spikes in workload or seasonal busy periods. You can expand or reduce your support team in just a few days.
Efficient Remote Execution
GoHighLevel VAs are used to working online and can complete tasks without constant supervision. They often use productivity tools and time tracking to ensure efficiency. Because their focus is on delivering specific results, tasks often get done faster than with in-house staff. This can help your business run smoothly with fewer delays.
Cons of GoHighLevel Virtual Assistants
Time Zone Differences
If your VA is in another country, you may need to adjust communication schedules. This can be managed with clear planning, but it might limit instant responses for urgent matters. Some agencies prefer overlapping work hours to avoid delays. Choosing a VA who works in your time zone can solve this issue.
Need for Vetting
Not all GHL VAs have the same skill level or professionalism. If you hire independently, you’ll need to spend time reviewing candidates, checking references, and testing skills. This process can be time-consuming if you don’t use a trusted agency. Working with a provider like Smart VAs ensures you get someone qualified from the start.
Clear Expectations Needed
Because GHL VAs work remotely, you need to be specific about the tasks, deadlines, and outcomes you expect. Without clear guidelines, miscommunication can happen. Having a structured onboarding process and regular check-ins helps prevent issues. Clear communication is key to success.
No Physical Presence
If you need someone to handle in-person tasks, a VA in general won’t be able to help. Their work is limited to what can be done online. For fully digital operations, this isn’t a problem, but it may be a deal-breaker for some businesses.
Security Considerations
Since GHL VAs will access your GoHighLevel account remotely, you need to set up proper permissions and security measures. This can include using separate logins or limiting access to sensitive data. While this is manageable, it’s something you need to plan for in advance. Using a trusted VA agency adds another layer of security.
Comparing Monthly Costs: GHL VA vs. Full-Time Staff
When weighing GHL VA vs. in-house support, cost is one of the most important factors. Many business owners are surprised to learn how much they can save by hiring a GoHighLevel VA instead of a full-time employee. Let’s break down the monthly costs for each option so you can see the difference clearly.
Full-Time In-House Staff Costs
Monthly Salary
An in-house employee with administrative or technical skills typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000 per month in salary alone. If you want someone with experience in GoHighLevel, the rate may be even higher because of their specialized knowledge. This is a fixed expense you pay regardless of how much work is available. Over a year, it can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Employee Benefits
On top of salary, most full-time employees expect benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave. These benefits often cost around $500 per month, depending on your location and coverage level. While benefits can help attract and retain talent, they also significantly increase your total cost of employment. For small businesses, this extra expense can be a big burden.
Equipment and Office Space
Providing a desk, computer, software, and other tools can add another $200 per month or more to your expenses. If you’re renting office space, the cost per employee increases further. These costs aren’t one-time; they include maintenance, upgrades, and replacements as equipment ages. For remote-friendly tasks like GoHighLevel management, this investment isn’t always necessary.
Taxes and Miscellaneous Fees
Employers also have to budget for payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, and other legal obligations. This can easily be another $300 or more per month per employee. There may also be smaller ongoing costs, such as training courses or subscriptions, that are required for them to do their job effectively. These costs are often overlooked when calculating the true expense of in-house staff.
Total Monthly Cost for In-House Staff
When you add everything together—salary, benefits, equipment, and taxes—a full-time in-house employee can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000 per month. This is a significant investment, especially if the employee isn’t fully utilized. For GoHighLevel-specific work, this level of spending may not be the most efficient use of your budget.
GoHighLevel Virtual Assistant Costs
Hourly or Monthly Plans
A GoHighLevel virtual assistant can be hired on a flexible basis, with plans typically ranging from $800 to $2,000 per month, depending on hours and skill level. You only pay for the time they actually work, which means no wasted hours on slow days. This flexibility allows you to match your support level to your exact needs without overspending.
No Additional Employee Benefits
VAs are independent contractors, so you don’t have to provide health insurance, paid leave, or retirement contributions. This instantly removes hundreds of dollars in extra monthly expenses. You also avoid the administrative work of managing benefit plans, which can save you time as well as money.
No Office or Equipment Costs
Since a VA works remotely, they use their own computer, internet connection, and workspace. You won’t have to purchase or maintain equipment for them. This alone can save hundreds of dollars per month compared to in-house staff.
Lower Overall Cost
Even at the higher end of VA pricing, you’ll spend far less than you would on a full-time employee. A VA costing $2,000 per month is still less than half the price of an in-house hire, and they can often get tasks done more quickly because of their GoHighLevel expertise. This makes GHL vs. in-house support an easy decision for many business owners focused on efficiency.
Which Is Right for Your Agency or Business Model?
Smart Virtual Assistant Agency!
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Smart Virtual Assistant Agency! 👍🤵
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are smart ways to evaluate what kind of support works best for you.
If your agency is growing fast and you need support specifically in GoHighLevel, hiring in-house could actually slow you down. You’ll spend weeks training them, and even then, they might still struggle with the software. And if they leave? You’re back to square one.
A gohighlevel virtual assistant already knows the system, so you get immediate help from day one. This makes more sense for agencies focused on delivering results quickly and maintaining lower overhead costs.
On the other hand, if your company culture requires someone physically present in the office, or if your business model is tied to local operations, in-house might still be the better choice.
But in terms of getting GoHighLevel tasks done efficiently, cost-effectively, and with less management stress, the debate of GoHighLevel VA vs. in-house staff is becoming easier to answer. More and more businesses are choosing VAs and for good reason.
Delegate Your GHL Tasks Today
Choosing between a GHL VA vs. in-house support can determine how agile, lean, and scalable your business becomes.
At Smart VAs, we specialize in providing trained, reliable, and cost-effective GoHighLevel virtual assistant services for agencies and businesses worldwide. Whether you need 40, 80, or 160 hours per month, our plans are flexible and designed to fit your needs.
What makes us different is that we don’t just offer GHL services. We also provide a full range of other virtual assistant services. That means the team of VAs you get can collaborate seamlessly and use GoHighLevel as a powerful tool to make your operations more efficient. You benefit from both GHL expertise and the diverse skill sets of our professional team of VAs, ensuring every area of your business runs smoothly.
You no longer have to train someone from scratch or worry about employee turnover. Our VAs come ready to help, so you can focus on growing your business, not managing backend tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No, you don’t need to know GoHighLevel before hiring a VA. One of the biggest advantages of working with a GoHighLevel virtual assistant is that they already have the skills and experience to manage the platform for you. They can handle the setup, guide you through the features, and even provide basic training to your team if needed. This allows you to focus on your core business without having to learn every technical detail yourself.
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Yes, in most cases, they can. Many GoHighLevel virtual assistant services offer flexible scheduling so your VA can work during your preferred hours. Whether you need full overlap or just a few hours of coordination, arrangements can usually be made to match your business schedule. This flexibility ensures smooth communication and quick turnaround times.
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Yes, you can. Many VAs offer one-time project packages for tasks such as setting up workflows, building automations, or creating snapshots in GoHighLevel. This allows you to get a professional setup and customization without committing to ongoing costs. It’s a great option if you just need to get your system up and running efficiently.
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A GHL VA works remotely and is already trained on the platform, so you save on recruitment, onboarding, and employee benefits. You only pay for the hours or tasks you need, avoiding the overhead costs of a full-time in-house hire.
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In most cases, no. GHL VAs are already familiar with the platform’s tools and features, allowing them to start working on your projects right away and deliver results faster.
Hi! My Name is Kristy Yoder!
Proud Filipina entrepreneur, Master Delegator, and Lazy Entrepreneur! Host of the Master Delegator Podcast, Founder & CEO. I help digital entrepreneurs scale smarter, not harder—turning chaos into streamlined systems so they can grow their business and still enjoy their life.