So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Certified Directory.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof seems like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unimportant material. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to access 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the flexibility, yet whatever regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I discovered random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Certified Directory.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also tough to develop something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.