So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Community.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing everything under one roofing seems like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I want I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to enjoy the versatility, however whatever regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Community.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get flushed away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– look at the genuine price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful 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 whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.