So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Robin Alex.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering seems like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been best, but it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is brutal. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to access 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, yet everything about the user experience made me feel like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it’s like for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin piling up. I observed random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Robin Alex.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that actually functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.