So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Data Processing Agreement.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked great.
I imply, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Entirely irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, yet every little thing about the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Data Processing Agreement.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.