So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Contest Submission.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, but it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of calls. Totally unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to accessibility three various setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the versatility, however everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I observed random $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Contest Submission.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles watching your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– look at the actual expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also tough to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.