So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs Notion.
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 everything under one roofing system seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been ideal, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, but whatever concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for a person simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution fees via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Notion.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– take a look at the actual cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that actually works the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too hard to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.