So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Travel Agency.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to risk one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to love the flexibility, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Travel Agency.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that in fact functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.