So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Daily Group Demo.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving everything under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly 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 missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Totally pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You have to access 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to love the versatility, yet whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Daily Group Demo.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, developing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– check out the real price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that actually functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.