So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel SaaS Mode.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the flexibility, however whatever regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel SaaS Mode.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly 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 promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the real expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job administration tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well difficult to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.