So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Does GoHighLevel Host Websites.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing system seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, 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 before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology stack is harsh. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Completely irrelevant content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to access 3 various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, but whatever concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I noticed random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges through 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 spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Host Websites.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention 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 seeking a system that really functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.