So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Documents and Contracts.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is harsh. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. 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 essential. My audience mattered excessive to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You have to accessibility three different arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the versatility, yet whatever about the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Documents and Contracts.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort get flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– look at the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually works the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not act or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.