So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Amateurs.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof seems like a productivity dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of another error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple 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 places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, however whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their platform.
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 racking up distribution charges via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Amateurs.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really indicates.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that really functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too tough to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.