So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs DashClicks.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is brutal. I want 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 peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to access three different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to like the versatility, yet everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I saw random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs DashClicks.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of email marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.