So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Local Service Providers.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is brutal. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Entirely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to love the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Local Service Providers.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– check out the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.