So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs Close.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is harsh. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary material. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to love the flexibility, however every little thing about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Close.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned 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 relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– look at the genuine expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to build something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.