So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) Does GoHighLevel Have A CRM.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Totally unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to like the flexibility, however whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Have A CRM.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– consider the actual expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that really functions the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly 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 greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.