So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Community Feature.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, but it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering 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. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is brutal. I wish I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, yet every little thing regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Community Feature.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– look at the actual expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also hard to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.