So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs Simvoly.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roofing sounds like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I mean, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been best, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is brutal. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to accessibility three different arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, yet whatever about the user experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Simvoly.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the real cost.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that actually functions the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well difficult to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.