So– you’ve been eyeing 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 e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Affiliate Commander Program.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing everything under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings 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 looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally pointless web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to gain access to three different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the adaptability, but everything regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Affiliate Commander Program.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the genuine cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also hard to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.