So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel 90 Day Trial.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing seems like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to gain access to 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to like the versatility, but everything about the individual experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting 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 not visualize what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel 90 Day Trial.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– look at the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.