So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel 5 Day AI Challenge.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however 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?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire technology pile is harsh. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the versatility, yet everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I saw random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel 5 Day AI Challenge.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– look at the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that really functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too difficult to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.