So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Facebook Messenger.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing everything under one roof seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is brutal. I want I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary material. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to access 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the flexibility, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Facebook Messenger.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– consider the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention 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 seeking a platform that really functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too difficult to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.