So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Funding.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing everything under one roofing sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been perfect, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally unnecessary content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You have to access three different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, however everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Funding.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the real price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really works the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well hard to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just work.