So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs Clixlo.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly 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 exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the versatility, but every little thing concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Clixlo.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the genuine price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the method it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.