So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Quizzes.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. 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 obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know 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 right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is harsh. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Totally pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to access three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, yet every little thing regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Quizzes.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– look at the real expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly indicates.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.