So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Awards.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology pile is harsh. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely irrelevant content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to risk another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to accessibility three different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, yet every little thing concerning the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I saw random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees with Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Awards.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you understand how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– look at the real price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also tough to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.