So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Email Warm Up.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roofing system sounds like a performance 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 write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been excellent, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, 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 places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to love the adaptability, yet every little thing regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like 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 obtaining method less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Email Warm Up.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– look at the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too tough to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.