So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Customer Support.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t best, but it was dependable. Like a great 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 considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is brutal. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the flexibility, yet every little thing concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs via Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Customer Support.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of email marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the real price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.