So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Advanced Account Setup.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof seems like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and restored series, even reached out to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to like the versatility, but everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start accumulating. I observed random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery fees through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Advanced Account Setup.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you understand how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the actual cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also tough to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.