So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) Does GoHighLevel Have A Website Builder.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been ideal, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology stack is brutal. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally unimportant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to access 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start piling up. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Have A Website Builder.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email 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 recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– consider the actual price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that actually works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well hard to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply work.