So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Agency Snapshot.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of calls. Totally pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, yet whatever regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Agency Snapshot.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– take a look at the actual price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly means.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Find individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well hard to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.