So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Affiliate Program.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally pointless material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to like the adaptability, but whatever concerning the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Affiliate Program.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email 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 recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the actual expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant reviews around? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too difficult to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply work.