So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Vs REI Reply.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech stack is brutal. I want I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to accessibility three different configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the adaptability, yet everything regarding the user experience made me feel like I required a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs REI Reply.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get purged away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the actual expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact functions the method it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not act or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.