So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Funnels.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I suggest, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, however everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution fees via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Funnels.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name 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 email roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the real price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Find individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also hard to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just work.