So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Course Creators Playbook.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked great.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is brutal. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to accessibility three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to like the adaptability, but everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that start accumulating. I saw random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Course Creators Playbook.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you know just how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– look at the real expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too tough to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.