So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) Can You Send Invoices with GoHighLevel.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech stack is harsh. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of calls. Completely unimportant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, yet everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Can You Send Invoices with GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– consider the actual price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that actually functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.