So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel For Travel Agents.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing system seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, but it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech pile is brutal. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Totally unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to access 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to love the flexibility, however whatever about the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Travel Agents.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– consider the actual cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really means.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a major migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.