So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Can You Sell Courses on GoHighLevel.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally pointless content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the flexibility, however everything about the user experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Can You Sell Courses on GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– take a look at the actual cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually indicates.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that actually works the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job administration tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.