So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) Does GoHighLevel Do SEO.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof sounds like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling 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 button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech pile is harsh. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to gain access to 3 various setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, however every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Do SEO.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the real expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also hard to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.