So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Agency Sub-Account.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored series, also connected to support. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to access three different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, yet everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it’s like for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their email 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 way much less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Agency Sub-Account.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the actual price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that actually functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not act or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too tough to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.