So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Coupon Code.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the adaptability, however whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Coupon Code.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– consider the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that in fact works the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you study a major movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. 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. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.