So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Google Analytics.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working 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 dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to like the adaptability, however whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone 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 simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Google Analytics.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type 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 hand over a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed 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 tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well hard to construct 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 simply function.