So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Contractors.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing system seems like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is harsh. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, however whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Contractors.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the real cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.