So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Alternatives.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roof sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to gain access to three different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to like the flexibility, but every little thing concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Alternatives.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– consider the actual expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly indicates.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well tough to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.