So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Vs Zoho One.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I suggest, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really 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 look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Completely irrelevant content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to love the versatility, but whatever concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for a person simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vs Zoho One.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the real price.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also tough to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.