So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Vs Vendasta.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech stack is harsh. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen 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
Initially, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Totally unimportant content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, yet everything regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for someone just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Vendasta.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of email marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked 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 because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the real price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. However it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well difficult 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 just function.