So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel For Accountants.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing seems like a productivity dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is harsh. I wish I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, also connected to support. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune 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 hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to gain access to three various arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the adaptability, however whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for someone just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? 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 really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Accountants.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too difficult to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.