So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs Housecall Pro.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, but it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech stack is harsh. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Completely unnecessary content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to love the versatility, however whatever about the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start piling up. I discovered random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Housecall Pro.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– check out the genuine price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Find people with 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 searching for a system that really functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.