So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Recruitment Agencies.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing everything under one roof seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I want I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to three various setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the versatility, however whatever regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Recruitment Agencies.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos 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 justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the genuine price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also hard to build something terrific. 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.