So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Business Model.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof covering seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is brutal. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running 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).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to accessibility three different configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the versatility, but whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Business Model.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the actual price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also difficult to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.