So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel A2P Registration.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering 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 Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored set of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech stack is brutal. I want I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but everything regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel A2P Registration.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– consider the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Find individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too tough to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.