So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel DMARC.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving whatever under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I mean, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. 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 before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech pile is harsh. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to accessibility three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to like the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel DMARC.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that in fact functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task monitoring devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed 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 flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also difficult to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.