So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Dentists.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof sounds like a productivity dream. Yet let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it had not been excellent, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the flexibility, yet whatever regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution fees through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Dentists.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of email marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– take a look at the real price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project administration devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.