So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Facebook Ads.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing system seems like a productivity dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been excellent, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. 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 humming 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 thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to risk one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to access 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the versatility, but whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Facebook Ads.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– take a look at the actual price.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you study a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.