So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Zoom Integration.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner 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 start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of another error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to like the versatility, but every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like 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 really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Zoom Integration.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you understand how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the actual cost.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.