So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Automatic Taxes.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof seems like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to access three various arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, yet everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution fees with Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Automatic Taxes.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize exactly how important 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 enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Locate people with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also difficult to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.