So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel For Consultants.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving everything under one roof seems like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech stack is harsh. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the versatility, however everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Consultants.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– take a look at the real expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that actually works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a major migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too hard to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.