So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Vs UpHex.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about 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 Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 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 appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally pointless content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, however everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I saw random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs UpHex.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– check out the real expense.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really functions the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too tough to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.