So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Background.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof sounds like a productivity dream. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to access three various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, but whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery fees via Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Background.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– consider the genuine cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing reviews around? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that actually works the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well hard to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.