So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Create Snapshot.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology stack is harsh. I desire I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to risk one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, yet everything concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution fees with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an affordable, 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 integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Create Snapshot.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– look at the actual cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that in fact functions the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job administration tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. However it really did not. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.