So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Marketplace.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving everything under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of calls. Totally pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to gain access to three various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, but everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Marketplace.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the actual expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.