So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel General Atlantic.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power 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 directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel General Atlantic.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, constructing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– check out the actual price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Find people with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.