So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Certification Program.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing seems like a performance desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers 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 right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I want I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Crumbling
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to access three different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to like the adaptability, but whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges through Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Certification Program.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort get flushed away.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– take a look at the genuine expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also tough to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just work.