So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Keap vs GoHighLevel.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is brutal. I wish I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to gain access to three various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the versatility, however every little thing regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Keap vs GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, constructing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed 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 tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– consider the real expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
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 actually functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well hard to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.