So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Gift Cards.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience 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 Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Crumbling
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely irrelevant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic 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.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, but everything about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Gift Cards.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of email marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Locate people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also difficult to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.