So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Feedback.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, but it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary material. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to access three different configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges via Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Feedback.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell 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 email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), 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 Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the actual cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that actually functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also tough to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.