So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Small Businesses.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it had not been best, but it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology pile is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, yet whatever about the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs with Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Small Businesses.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– look at the actual price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet fantastic for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.