So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel GoKollab.com.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roofing seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is brutal. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored series, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to access three different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, however whatever regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting beside 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 not picture what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution fees through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel GoKollab.com.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.