So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Agency Pro.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t best, yet it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the adaptability, however whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Agency Pro.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– check out the actual expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.