So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel ClickFunnels 2.0 Importer.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing everything under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been ideal, but it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin 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. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and restored series, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails simply 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 risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to accessibility three various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to love the adaptability, however whatever concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel ClickFunnels 2.0 Importer.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email 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.
Then, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– take a look at the real expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also hard to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.