So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel CallRail.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving whatever under one roof covering seems like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reputable. 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 begin considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I want I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to access three different configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the flexibility, however everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel CallRail.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you understand how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– look at the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that actually works the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well tough to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.