So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel 30-Day Free Trial.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through 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 headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been ideal, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and reconstructed sequences, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to accessibility three various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I saw random $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel 30-Day Free Trial.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not 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 an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– consider the genuine expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.