So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs Kartra.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored series, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the flexibility, yet every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution fees with Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Kartra.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the method it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well difficult to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.