So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs Keap.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration 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 Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked great.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech pile is harsh. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely irrelevant material. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored series, even connected to support. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the adaptability, however everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Keap.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), 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 recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– look at the real cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also difficult 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 work.