So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel ZappyChat.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been perfect, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the versatility, yet whatever concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it’s like for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel ZappyChat.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– 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. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– look at the real expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job monitoring devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too hard to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.