So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Loan Officers.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, however it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely pointless web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You have to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to like the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Loan Officers.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the actual expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too hard to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.