So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Custom Audience.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I suggest, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been excellent, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely pointless material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the flexibility, yet every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it’s like for somebody just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Custom Audience.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– consider the real expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really means.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that actually functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too hard to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.