So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Estimates.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong team of calls. Entirely irrelevant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, yet whatever concerning the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I saw random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Estimates.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– consider the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly implies.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Find individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too difficult to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.