So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Calendar Setup.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving everything under one roof seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 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 itch for something new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, 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 had not been ideal, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Completely pointless material. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, even reached out to support. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk another error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to gain access to three various setup panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, however whatever concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start piling up. I noticed random $10 fees turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery fees through 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 obtaining way less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Calendar Setup.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the real cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.