So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Headline Font.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof seems like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 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 migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is harsh. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the versatility, but whatever about the user experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges via 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 more than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Headline Font.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.