So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel AI Agent.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing seems like a productivity dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Completely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to access three different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the flexibility, yet every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel AI Agent.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– look at the actual cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Find people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too difficult to build something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.