So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Bonuses.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof sounds like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been ideal, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to love the versatility, yet every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for someone just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. 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 Bonuses.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– check out the real expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that in fact functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too hard to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.