So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel GitHub.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet 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 looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is harsh. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely irrelevant content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now 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 even obtain me started. You need to access three various configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, however every little thing about the customer experience made me feel 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 struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel GitHub.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– take a look at the real cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.