So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Billing.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is harsh. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, also connected to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to access three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, yet everything about the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Billing.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– check out the real price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.