So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Agency Owners.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech pile is brutal. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally pointless content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to accessibility three various setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to like the flexibility, yet whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Agency Owners.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, constructing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– look at the genuine cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.