So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Audit Logs.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roofing seems like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I imply, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to access 3 various setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, yet everything about the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Audit Logs.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– consider the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well difficult to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.