So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel LC Phone and LC Email.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof seems like a performance desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Totally pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to accessibility three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the flexibility, yet everything about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution costs through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel LC Phone and LC Email.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– look at the real expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing reviews around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that actually works the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.