So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) Become a HighLeveler.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof seems like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I want I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt 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 close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to like the flexibility, but every little thing concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it resembles for a person just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Become a HighLeveler.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of email marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the real expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that in fact works the method it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well hard to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.