So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel AfterPay.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good 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?
Due to shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is brutal. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Completely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of another error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to access three different arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I required a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel AfterPay.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– check out the real price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing reviews around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that actually works the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also hard to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.