So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Software Companies.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to like the versatility, however whatever about the individual experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Software Companies.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of email marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that really works the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also difficult to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.