So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) Do You Need Hosting For GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech pile is brutal. I want I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary content. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You have to gain access to three various setup panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, however everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for someone simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Do You Need Hosting For GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– consider the real price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.