So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) Does GoHighLevel Have A Dialer.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving everything under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, but it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is harsh. I want I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unimportant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to access three different arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the flexibility, but everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Have A Dialer.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– consider the real price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too hard to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.