So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Brand Boards.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech pile is brutal. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, yet every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it’s like for somebody simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Brand Boards.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.