So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel BambooHR.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roofing seems like a productivity dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, however it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong team of calls. Completely unnecessary material. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to like the flexibility, however whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel BambooHR.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well difficult to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.