So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Bootcamp.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I want I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant material. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to access 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, however whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it resembles for somebody just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Bootcamp.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of email marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after 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 deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the actual cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that actually functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. 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 fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.