So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Marketing Agencies.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally pointless material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You have to access 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to love the adaptability, however everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
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 really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Marketing Agencies.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for small cost– take a look at the genuine cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well hard to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.