So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Playbooks.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked great.
I mean, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was reliable. 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 looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to access 3 different setup panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, but everything regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it’s like for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start accumulating. I saw random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Playbooks.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– consider the real expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Locate people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
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 platform that in fact works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also tough to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.