So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Email Marketing.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked great.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really 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 series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Totally unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to love the flexibility, yet whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Email Marketing.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
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 looking for a system that really works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too difficult to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.