So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs Monday.com.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance desire. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally pointless content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to accessibility three various configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the versatility, but whatever about the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Monday.com.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that actually works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.