So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Google Calendar Integration.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roof seems like a productivity dream. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been ideal, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy 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 exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, but every little thing regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Google Calendar Integration.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the actual expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that really functions the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.