So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Docs.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been excellent, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology pile is harsh. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely irrelevant material. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to love the versatility, but whatever concerning the individual experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Docs.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– check out the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that in fact works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.