So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Dummies.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to love the flexibility, yet every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Dummies.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly 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 price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really means.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well difficult to construct something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.