So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Found out 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 (sort of) GoHighLevel For Solar Companies.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing everything under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is brutal. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to love the versatility, yet every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for a person just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I saw random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Solar Companies.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– take a look at the real expense.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for client partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well hard to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.