So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Does GoHighLevel Work with Google Ads.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology stack is harsh. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project 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 allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to access 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to love the adaptability, however whatever regarding the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Does GoHighLevel Work with Google Ads.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– look at the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant reviews out there? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that in fact functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too difficult to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.