So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Construction.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roof seems like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing 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 demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is harsh. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally unimportant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to accessibility three various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to love the flexibility, but everything about the customer experience made me feel 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 having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Construction.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– consider the real price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that actually functions the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also difficult to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.