So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Mobile UI.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been excellent, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent 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 showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is brutal. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Completely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to access three different arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, yet every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Mobile UI.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of email marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– look at the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that actually functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too hard to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.