So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) How Do You Get Paid on GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear 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 many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is harsh. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant content. Three 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, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to gain access to three various configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to like the versatility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How Do You Get Paid on GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– check out the genuine price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well hard to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.