So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Quality Leads.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency desire. Yet let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I indicate, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t best, yet it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is harsh. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant web content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to gain access to three various setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, however whatever about the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Quality Leads.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too tough to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.