So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel For Real Estate Agents.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is brutal. I wish I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary material. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to love the versatility, however every little thing regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment charges via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Real Estate Agents.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you know how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Find people with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that actually functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well tough to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.