So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) Can You Make a Website with GoHighLevel.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying everything under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech stack is brutal. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
Initially, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to access three different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Can You Make a Website with GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the real expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too hard to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.