So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Calendly Integration UI.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity dream. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to access three various setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the adaptability, but whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Calendly Integration UI.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– check out the genuine expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also hard to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.