So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Vs Salesforce.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is harsh. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unimportant content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and reconstructed series, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to enjoy the versatility, however whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it resembles for a person just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution fees via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Salesforce.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– check out the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also tough to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.