So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Read about 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– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs Bitrix24.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been best, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to access three different configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, but every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I saw random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Bitrix24.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the genuine cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also hard to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.