So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Contact Source.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, but every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Contact Source.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– consider the genuine price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that in fact functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also hard to build something great. 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 work.