So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Local Business.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing system seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to gain access to 3 various arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the flexibility, but whatever regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it’s like for someone just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked 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 method less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Local Business.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not 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 steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– consider the real expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
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 seeking a system that really works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.