So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Vbout Vs GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been excellent, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary material. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to access three various arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, but everything about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Vbout Vs GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you understand how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– take a look at the real price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that in fact functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.