So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Consulting Team.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof sounds like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech stack is brutal. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to accessibility three different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the adaptability, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked 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 getting way less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Consulting Team.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing reviews around? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well hard to build something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.