So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel For Financial Advisors.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof seems like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked great.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. 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 prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is harsh. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement 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 understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of calls. Totally unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to love the versatility, but everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs 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 discovered arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Financial Advisors.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of email marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the genuine price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really means.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies around? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too tough to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.