So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel GoDaddy.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing everything under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is harsh. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored sequences, also connected to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to access three different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, however everything about the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel GoDaddy.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort get purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– consider the genuine expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well hard to build something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.