So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Who Uses GoHighLevel.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing sounds like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is harsh. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, yet whatever about the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Who Uses GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of email marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– check out the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also tough to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.