So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel FAQs.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings 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 long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Totally pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to accessibility three different arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the flexibility, yet whatever about the user experience made me seem 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 years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel FAQs.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the real price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.