So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel DKIM.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, however it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to support. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start piling up. I discovered random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel DKIM.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact works the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also hard to build something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.