So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Doctors.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling 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 first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I want I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, however everything concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Doctors.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– check out the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well hard to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.