So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs Podium.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving whatever under one roofing seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains 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 object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is harsh. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint 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. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to accessibility three different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, yet every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
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 getting method much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Podium.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the genuine price.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Locate individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well hard to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.