So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. 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– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs Groove.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the versatility, yet every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Groove.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of email marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– look at the actual price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too hard to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.