So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Email Campaigns.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof seems like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is brutal. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant material. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the flexibility, yet everything regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Email Campaigns.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of email marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, developing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the actual price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing reviews around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project administration tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.