So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Vs Nutshell CRM.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via 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 initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked great.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is harsh. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to gain access to 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to love the versatility, yet whatever about the user experience made me seem like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Nutshell CRM.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort get flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– look at the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really functions the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, persuade 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 trade-offs.
You’ve worked too difficult to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.