So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel AI Chatbot.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned great.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reliable. Like a great 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 flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary material. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to access three different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet everything regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel AI Chatbot.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– check out the real price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.