So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Cold Email Outreach.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I mean, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Completely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Cold Email Outreach.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the genuine expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really means.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too tough to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.