So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Vs Systeme.io.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it had not been best, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Completely unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, but every little thing about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Systeme.io.
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 just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.