So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Conversations.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t best, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is brutal. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely unimportant material. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Conversations.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, developing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality nobody 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 showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much 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 choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to develop something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.