So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Booking.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Completely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to accessibility three different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to enjoy the versatility, yet everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Booking.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the actual cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly means.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too hard to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.