So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Bulk Requests.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I want I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Totally unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, also connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to gain access to three different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to love the versatility, however every little thing concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it’s like for someone simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Bulk Requests.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– look at the genuine cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built 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 possibly be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also tough to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.