So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Basic Account Setup.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving everything under one roof sounds like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I desire I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant material. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to accessibility three various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to love the flexibility, however everything concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges through Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Basic Account Setup.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of email marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for small cost– consider the real expense.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that in fact functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to build something great. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.