So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Documentation.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to accessibility three various configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, but everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting 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 envision what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Documentation.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you know how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the actual expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that actually works the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too hard to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.