So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Bookkeepers.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely pointless material. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to risk another error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to like the flexibility, but everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start piling up. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Bookkeepers.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– take a look at the real price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that really functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also difficult to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.