So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel A2P Webinar.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy 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 blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is brutal. I want I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to gain access to three different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, yet every little thing concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start piling up. I saw random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel A2P Webinar.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you know just how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine expense.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also tough to build something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.