So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Folders.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. 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 teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Totally pointless content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored series, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to like the adaptability, but every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges with Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Folders.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– check out the real cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too tough to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just work.