So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Free Trial.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, even reached out to support. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to like the versatility, however whatever concerning the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Free Trial.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the actual price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that really functions the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.