So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Virtual Assistant.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, also connected to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to accessibility three various setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the adaptability, but whatever about the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Virtual Assistant.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– check out the genuine price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Discover people 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.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that in fact works the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well hard to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.