So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Demo Video.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing system seems like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. 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 shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely pointless material. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility three different setup panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, yet everything about the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution fees through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Demo Video.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– consider the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.