So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel JustCall.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked great.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely pointless content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, yet everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel JustCall.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly 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 the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– look at the real expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that actually works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too hard to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.