So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel AI Tools.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, but whatever concerning the customer experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel AI Tools.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– look at the real price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well hard to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.