So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Google Ads.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech pile is harsh. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to access three various arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the flexibility, however whatever about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Google Ads.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the actual cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.