So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Early Bird Tickets.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked great.
I mean, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been perfect, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Entirely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to access 3 different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, but whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs through Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Early Bird Tickets.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– check out the actual cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.