So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Ecommerce Snapshot.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, however it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I want I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for somebody just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Ecommerce Snapshot.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the actual cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring 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 collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well hard to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.