So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs ClientManager.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings 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 Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is brutal. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of contacts. Completely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, also connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to love the versatility, however everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked 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 way much less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs ClientManager.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the genuine cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that actually functions the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.