So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Can I Host A Website on GoHighLevel.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof seems like a productivity 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: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-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 may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is harsh. I want I could tell 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 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of calls. Entirely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of another error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to access three various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, however whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees via Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Can I Host A Website on GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the genuine cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen 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 searching for a system that in fact functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well tough to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.