So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Forms and Surveys.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roofing seems like a performance desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is harsh. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to access 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, but every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Forms and Surveys.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort get purged away.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– check out the genuine cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really 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 system that in fact functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well hard to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.