So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Merge Contacts.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing everything under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I want I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, but whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Merge Contacts.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the real expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” actually implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Find people with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.