So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs Birdeye.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech stack is brutal. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
At first, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to access three various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to love the flexibility, yet everything about the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Birdeye.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get flushed away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– look at the real expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the glowing endorsements available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.