So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Agencies.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Completely unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to access three different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, but whatever about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine 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 through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start piling up. I noticed random $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Agencies.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for small cost– consider the real price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing reviews around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also hard to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just work.