So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Vs ClickFunnels 2.0.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked great.
I imply, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Completely irrelevant content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, however everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges through Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs ClickFunnels 2.0.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– check out the actual cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too tough to build something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.