So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Summer Camp.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear 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 specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I wish I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to risk one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to access 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the versatility, but whatever about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Summer Camp.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of email marketing, you understand how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– look at the real price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too difficult to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just work.