So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) Does GoHighLevel Have PPC.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roof covering seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to gain access to 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the versatility, yet everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Have PPC.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the real expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that actually functions the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet fantastic for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too difficult to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.