So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel For Recruitment Firms.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew 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 whole tech pile is harsh. I want I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely pointless material. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to like the adaptability, yet whatever concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for somebody just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Recruitment Firms.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get flushed away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, 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 devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– consider the actual expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Discover people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that actually works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.