So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Custom JavaScript.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to like the adaptability, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Custom JavaScript.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– look at the actual cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements available? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well hard to build something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.