So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Lead-Gen Playbook.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof seems like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very 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 obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners 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 demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to access three various arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, yet everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Lead-Gen Playbook.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– check out the actual expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that in fact functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also hard to build something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.