So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Startups.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t best, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is harsh. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant material. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to accessibility three different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the adaptability, but whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I observed random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Startups.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort get flushed away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– consider the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task administration devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also tough to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply work.