So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Call Recording.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, 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 button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I mean, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology pile is brutal. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Totally irrelevant web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to access 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to like the versatility, however every little thing about the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Call Recording.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– look at the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Find people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project administration tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too tough to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.