So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Affirm.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I imply, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is brutal. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally unnecessary web content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the versatility, however whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Affirm.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact functions the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well hard to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.