So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Email Signature.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 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 Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, but it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology pile is brutal. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and reconstructed series, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to access 3 different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, yet whatever about the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Email Signature.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work get purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– check out the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
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 really functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.