So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Branded Desktop App.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Completely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and restored series, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You have to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to love the versatility, however everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I observed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Branded Desktop App.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, developing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the actual expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that in fact works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too hard to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.