So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel 30 Day Saas Mode Free Trial.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof sounds like an efficiency 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 stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration 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 Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong team of calls. Entirely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to risk another error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. 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 wished to like the versatility, yet whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for someone simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution fees through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel 30 Day Saas Mode Free Trial.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– take a look at the actual price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to construct something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.