So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Heard 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– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel SaaS FastTrack Program.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech stack is brutal. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply maintained heading 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 another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to gain access to three different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the flexibility, but whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start piling up. I observed random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel SaaS FastTrack Program.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, 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 devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– check out the actual price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. However it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.