So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) When Did GoHighLevel Come Out.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roofing seems like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. 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 been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally pointless material. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to gain access to three various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to love the adaptability, however whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me When Did GoHighLevel Come Out.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of email marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– take a look at the actual cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too tough to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.