So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Affiliate Summer Camp.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t best, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology stack is harsh. I want I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were functioning. 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 headache: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely unimportant content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, but whatever about the user experience made me feel like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Affiliate Summer Camp.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly means.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.