So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For ClickBank.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving whatever under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t best, but 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 eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is harsh. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Completely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to access 3 various configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, 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 deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For ClickBank.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– look at the real cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also hard to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.