So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Vs SuiteDash.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying everything under one roof seems like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology pile is harsh. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Completely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs SuiteDash.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– check out the genuine price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really implies.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too difficult to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.