So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Two Way Gmail Sync.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving whatever under one roof seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of calls. Completely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and reconstructed sequences, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to access three various setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the versatility, but every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I observed random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Two Way Gmail Sync.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– take a look at the genuine expense.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that really works the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too hard to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.