So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Vs PipelinePRO.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Completely pointless material. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to access 3 different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the versatility, yet every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared 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 obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs PipelinePRO.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– look at the actual cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that really functions the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well difficult to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.