So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Clone WordPress Sites.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining everything under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, however it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I want I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to gain access to three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the flexibility, yet everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution fees through Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Clone WordPress Sites.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched 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 call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t 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 secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the actual cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that in fact functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to build something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.