So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Initializing.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, but everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Initializing.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no one 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 wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the genuine price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well hard to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.