So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Hotels.
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 simplifying everything under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of calls. Completely pointless content. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, but every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Hotels.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– take a look at the actual price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.