So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Custom CSS.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to accessibility three different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, however everything regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Custom CSS.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, constructing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends 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 pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– look at the genuine price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
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 trying to find a system that in fact works the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.