So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Auto Payouts Via PayPal.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system seems like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to access three various arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the adaptability, but every little thing regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start piling up. I observed random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Auto Payouts Via PayPal.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (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 searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– consider the genuine cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
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 seeking a platform that really functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too hard to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.