So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Duplicate Contacts.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Completely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to accessibility three various arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, however everything regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Duplicate Contacts.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of email marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– consider the actual expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing reviews around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also tough to build something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.