So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Car Dealerships.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving everything under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item 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 humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” 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 relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, but every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 fees turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Car Dealerships.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the real price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet fantastic for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well hard to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.