So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Client Portal.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing seems like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been best, however it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech stack is harsh. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to access three different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, however whatever regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Client Portal.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the genuine price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
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 greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too hard to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.