So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Cyber Week Promotion.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roof sounds like a productivity dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely pointless material. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to risk one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, but everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I saw random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Cyber Week Promotion.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the actual cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover people with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also hard to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.