So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Nonprofit Organizations.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings 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 frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I want I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to love the adaptability, however every little thing regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it’s like for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Nonprofit Organizations.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of email marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, developing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name 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 advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the actual price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that in fact works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.