So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Global Sections.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Completely unnecessary content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to access 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to like the versatility, yet every little thing regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Global Sections.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– look at the genuine price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too difficult to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.