So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Beginners.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof seems like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, 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 preferred set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech pile is harsh. I want I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to access 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to like the versatility, however every little thing concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Beginners.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of email marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– look at the actual cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover people with 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 Think About
If you’re seeking a system that in fact functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.