So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Vs Klaviyo.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I mean, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to like the versatility, but every little thing regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Klaviyo.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you know just how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t 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 secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– check out the actual cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing reviews around? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too difficult to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.