So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Vs Webflow.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roof seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering 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 Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is brutal. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored series, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to access 3 various setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the adaptability, however whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I saw random $10 fees turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like an affordable, 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 reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Webflow.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– check out the real price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. Yet 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 same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.