So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel $97 Plan.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 various arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel $97 Plan.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no person 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 had not been showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– look at the real expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also tough to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.