So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Life Insurance.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving every little thing under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is brutal. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Totally unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but whatever about the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Life Insurance.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the real price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too tough to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.