So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Funnel Builder.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying everything under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, but it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is brutal. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, 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 certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely unimportant content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and restored series, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the versatility, but every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Funnel Builder.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– check out the actual price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually means.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.