So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Calendly Event Importer.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been best, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is brutal. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. 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 too much to risk an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to access three various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but everything about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Calendly Event Importer.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the actual cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.