So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Ecommerce.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been excellent, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Entirely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server issue.” 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 trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, but every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Ecommerce.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the genuine cost.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to develop something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.