So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Pest Control.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving everything under one roof sounds like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology stack is brutal. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, however whatever about the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. 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 dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Pest Control.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get flushed away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– check out the actual price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that actually functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also tough to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.