So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Does GoHighLevel Have An API.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof sounds like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, but whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like an affordable, 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 reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Have An API.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, developing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email 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.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the genuine expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” actually means.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something 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 in fact functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.