So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Photographers.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked great.
I mean, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech stack is harsh. I want I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Completely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the adaptability, but whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Photographers.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– take a look at the genuine expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that actually functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job administration tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too tough to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just work.