So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Gig Image.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roof seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. 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 crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and restored series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to accessibility three various configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but everything concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Gig Image.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– look at the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also hard to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.