So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Reputation Management.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof sounds like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object 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 groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, but every little thing about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Reputation Management.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– consider the real expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that actually functions the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well hard to build something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.