So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Gamification.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I mean, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely pointless content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, also connected to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to access 3 different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the versatility, yet everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Gamification.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– consider the actual price.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Locate people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also hard to build something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply work.