So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel For Plumbers.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been perfect, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to gain access to three various setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, yet whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a designer resting 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 battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Plumbers.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the actual cost.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly means.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Locate people with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that in fact works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also hard to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.