So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Opportunities.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I wish a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is harsh. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to accessibility three different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the adaptability, however whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for somebody simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Opportunities.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you know how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– consider the real cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too difficult to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.