So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Digital Marketers.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roofing system seems like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked great.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is harsh. I want I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget 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 told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally pointless web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to access three different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to love the adaptability, however whatever about the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for somebody just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution charges via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. 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 Digital Marketers.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– take a look at the actual cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.