So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Snapshot Pour Massage.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been best, however it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is brutal. I want I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Totally irrelevant content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility three different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, yet whatever about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Snapshot Pour Massage.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– consider the real price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also hard to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.