So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs HubSpot.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof seems like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to access 3 various configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the flexibility, yet whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for someone simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs HubSpot.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– look at the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well tough to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.