So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Course Completion Certificates.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item 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 groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to access 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the adaptability, yet everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Course Completion Certificates.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of email marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– look at the genuine expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that in fact functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also difficult to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.