So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of 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– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Branded Domain.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering seems like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly really 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 precise. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to do 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 an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to love the flexibility, however everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Branded Domain.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– look at the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.