So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Banks.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned great.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech stack is brutal. I wish I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely irrelevant web content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to risk one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to love the versatility, but whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
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 getting means less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Banks.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– take a look at the real price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too tough to develop something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.