So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel For SEO.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been ideal, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech stack is harsh. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary material. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, however every little thing concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting alongside 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 not envision what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their email carrier.
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 obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For SEO.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely 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 validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– take a look at the genuine price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually means.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
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 platform that really functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project administration tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too hard to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply work.