So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Customer Experiences.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof seems like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet 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 things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unimportant material. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, yet whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Customer Experiences.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the actual price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well difficult to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.